MLB Player News

Verlander (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and is starting Friday against the Nationals.

Verlander missed the first few weeks of the season rehabbing from a shoulder issue but will make his 2024 debut Friday in Washington. According to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, manager Joe Espada said the Astros plan to limit the veteran right-hander to around 80-85 pitches, which would be a minor increase on the 77 pitches Verlander threw in his final rehab start.

The Rangers optioned Leiter to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

The right-hander surrendered seven runs over 3.2 frames in his major-league debut Thursday versus the Tigers. Michael Lorenzen (neck) recently made his season debut to fill out the Rangers' rotation, but Leiter seems likely to receive another look with the big club later in the year.

Cannon will start Monday in Minnesota, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cannon had a solid major-league debut Wednesday against the Royals, tossing five innings of one-run ball in a no-decision. He'll be awarded at least one additional start in the majors, though he could head back to Triple-A Charlotte once Mike Clevinger is ready to make his season debut.

Gonzales (forearm) will remain shut down for the next couple weeks, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Gonzales has been sidelined since last week with a left forearm muscle strain. He is not expected to require surgery, but between being shut down for multiple weeks and then a build-up period, it sounds like it will be a month or more before he'll be an option for the Pirates again.

Walker (shoulder) will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday before rejoining the Phillies' rotation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies had considered having Walker make his next appearance with the big club, but they opted to give him one more tune-up. That sets Walker up for his season debut next weekend in San Diego. Spencer Turnbull has pitched well in his place but could lose his rotation spot once Walker returns.

Priester was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and is starting Friday's game against the Red Sox.

It'll be Priester's first MLB appearance of the campaign after he missed out on Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old righty struggled to a 7.74 ERA over 10 outings in his first taste of the big leagues in 2023, but he pitched well at Triple-A early this season with a 3.95 ERA and 20:5 K:BB across 13.2 frames.

Davis was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque by the Rockies on Friday.

Davis is taking the roster spot of Kyle Freeland (elbow). Freeland had been slated to start Saturday against the Mariners, but Peter Lambert is also an option to make that start. Davis has collected a 6.62 ERA and 21:10 K:BB over 17.2 innings covering four starts with Albuquerque this season.

Freeland was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Rockies on Friday, retroactive to April 16, with a left elbow strain.

Freeland had been slated to start Saturday in spite of an injury to his right (non-throwing) shoulder that he suffered while pinch running. However, he now has a different, more serious injury to deal with. It's not clear at this point how much time Freeland might miss. Noah Davis has taken Freeland's spot on the roster, though Peter Lambert will take his spot in the rotation.

Steele (hamstring) will throw a live batting practice session Sunday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

If Steele gets through the session with no issues, a rehab assignment could be the next step. The left-hander is working his way back from a left hamstring strain which he suffered Opening Day. It's not clear at this point how many rehab starts he might be asked to make before rejoining the Cubs' rotation.

The Marlins plan to recall Munoz from Triple-A Jacksonville to start one of the games in Saturday's doubleheader versus the Cubs, Isaac Azout of SBNation.com reports.

Munoz will be making his major-league debut Saturday. The 24-year-old has had a rough start to the season with Jacksonville, allowing 14 runs (13 earned) with a 7:12 K:BB over 10.2 frames. Munoz isn't an advisable fantasy streamer.