MLB Player News

McKenzie (1-1) earned the victory against the White Sox on Monday, allowing no runs on three hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was not the cleanest outing for McKenzie, who allowed seven baserunners, including four free passes, but he was able to keep the hapless White Sox lineup in check to earn his first win of the season. However, after making only four starts last season due to lingering shoulder and elbow issues, a scoreless, healthy outing can't be considered anything but a plus for the talented right-hander, who will be looking to top 120 innings for just the second time in his five-year career. He's tentatively slated to make his next start at home during next weekend's series against the Yankees.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and will have another minor-league rehab start on the weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear which affiliate Verlander will start for, but the veteran right-hander appears to be progressing through his rehab well. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings in Sunday's outing with Triple-A Sugar Land, but he also struck out six batters.

After pitching with Double-A Tennessee on Sunday, Taillon (back) will join Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday to continue his rehab assignment, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Taillon threw 52 pitches over 2.2 innings with Tennessee on Sunday and gave up four runs on six hits and a walk. It wasn't a great performance, but he feels good enough to move up to Triple-A to continue his rehab. Taillon began the season on the 15-day IL after sustaining a lower-back injury in spring training.

Valdez was scratched ahead of his scheduled start Monday against the Rangers after experiencing soreness in the top of his left elbow after playing catch, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez has been sent back to Houston to be evaluated by team doctors. Both Astros manager Joe Espada and general manager Dana Brown have downplayed the level of concern, noting that the lefty hasn't yet been placed on the injured list. That said, more won't be known until the team gets results of the exam, which won't be until at least Tuesday. Blair Henley is drawing a spot start Monday in Valdez's place.

The Angels placed Silseth on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right elbow inflammation.

Silseth struggled over his first two starts, giving up six runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out 12 over eight innings, going 0-1 over that span. Jose Soriano will take Silseth's spot in the rotation, getting the start Wednesday against the Rays.

Garrett (shoulder) is scheduled to make a second rehab start Friday with Triple-A Jacksonville, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 26-year-old lefty threw 66 pitchers over 4.1 frames during Sunday's rehab outing, and he's expected to build up to around 80 pitches Friday. Assuming that goes well, Garrett could then be cleared to join the Marlins' starting rotation next week.

Cabrera (shoulder) is scheduled to make his third rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The right-hander is targeting about five innings and/or 80 pitches after throwing four frames in his previous rehab outing Friday. If all goes well Wednesday, Cabrera could be cleared to join Miami's starting rotation as early as next week.

DeGrom (elbow) has extended his flat-ground throwing to 90 feet, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It's the next step in deGrom's throwing progression as he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Everything seems to have gone as expected to this point with deGrom, who hopes to rejoin the Rangers' rotation at some point late in the season.

Plesac was designated for assignment by the Angels on Monday.

After signing a one-year contract with the Angels in December, he was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on March 9. He started in two games with Salt Lake, giving up five runs on six hits and seven walks while striking out nine batters over 9.2 innings, and he took the loss in both contests.

Walker (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The plan is for Walker to get four starts with increasing pitch counts before joining the Phillies rotation. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com adds that Philadelphia wants to see Walker reach 100 pitches before rejoining the team. Walker threw 46 pitches pitches over three innings in a live batting practice session over the weekend, so he could be ready to handle around four innings and 60 pitches in his first rehab start. The right-hander was placed on the team's 15-day injured list after dealing with a right shoulder impingement during spring training.