MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Thursday before pitching in a minor-league game a few days later, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander threw 52 pitches during a three-inning simulated game Monday, and it appears the next step in his rehab program will be pitching in a minor-league game. Verlander previously said he wants to build his pitch count to around 85 before joining the Astros, and he'll likely require at least two rehab starts before being activated.

The Pirates traded Wolf to the Padres on Tuesday in exchange for Kervin Pichardo.

Wolf was DFA'd by the Pirates on Thursday, and he'll now head back to San Diego after being shipped to Pittsburgh at last season's trade deadline. Wolf made a spot start in the majors last season with the Padres, but the 24-year-old southpaw will likely spend most of his time at Triple-A El Paso in 2024.

Gipson-Long (groin) completed a three-inning simulated game Tuesday in Lakeland, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Gipson-Long was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a groin injury he had been battling since the first week of spring training. The right-hander went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings for the Tigers across four starts last season.

The Astros placed France on the paternity list Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

France will be allowed to miss up to three days as he welcomes a new addition to his family. Dylan Coleman was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Turnbull prepared for 80-to-85 pitches during Tuesday's start against the Reds, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

That's assuming the game winds up being played, as there's been plenty of rain in Philadelphia and more expected. It will be the first big-league appearance since last May for Turnbull, who is filling in for the injured Taijuan Walker (shoulder).

Walker (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson relayed a scouting report from pitching coach Caleb Cotham, who watched the session and said Walker "looked really good." It's not clear how many times Walker will face hitters before being cleared for a rehab assignment, but Thomson indicated previously that they'll proceed slowly with the righty.

Williams (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session sometime during the Guardians' April 1-3 series in Seattle, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Williams is making his way back from right elbow inflammation, an injury he suffered in mid-March during a weighted-ball workout. The right-hander should be ready for a rehab assignment soon, although one has not been scheduled yet and it's not clear how many rehab starts he might need before rejoining the Guardians' rotation.

Muller replaced starter Joe Boyle with two outs in the third inning of Monday's loss to the Red Sox and allowed an earned run on one hit and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

Muller's previous starting experience has already come into play twice over the first five games, as manager Mark Kotsay has taken advantage of the southpaw's ability to work multiple innings to preserve his bullpen in lopsided shutout losses. Muller's impressive work over that pair of appearances -- he's pitched to a 1.13 ERA and 0.50 WHIP while allowing only two hits in eight innings -- could pay dividends for him down the line in the form of a rotation audition if starters such as Alex Wood or Boyle continue to struggle.

Monegro is on the injured list with High-A Greenville as he builds back up after reporting to camp with weakness in his right shoulder, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

Callis did not provide a timeline for Monegro to return to game action. A projectable 6-foot-4 righty with a feel for spinning the baseball, Monegro had an ERA under 2.50 at all three levels he pitched at last season, but he has a wiry frame and hasn't proven he can handle a significant workload yet.

Double-A Amarillo placed Ray on its 60-day injured list March 22 with an unspecified injury.

Ray will be sidelined until at least late May while he recovers from the injury. The 22-year-old right-hander split time between Amarillo and High-A Hillsboro in 2023, making 25 starts and accruing a 4.37 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 138:40 K:BB over 113.1 innings.