MLB Player News

The Rangers placed Scherzer (back) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

According to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News, Scherzer threw a bullpen session Tuesday, which is believed to be the first time he stepped back on the mound since undergoing surgery in December to address a herniated disc in his back. Scherzer said that his pitching arm feels good, and he estimated that he's in what would be the early February portion of his throwing program if he had been coming into a normal spring training rather than rehabbing from surgery. Rangers general manager Chris Young said Wednesday that there are no plans at this point to shift Scherzer to the 60-day injured list, per Buster Olney of ESPN, suggesting the veteran right-hander could be ready to rejoin the rotation before the end of May.

The Rangers placed Mahle (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Mahle is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery. The Rangers are hopeful that he'll make enough progress in his rehab to become a rotation option at some point after the All-Star break.

The Athletics placed Medina (knee) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Medina suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain to his right knee in early March during a Cactus League appearance. According to MLB.com, Medina has been able to play catch from his knees recently, and he'll progress to playing catch while standing up once the soreness in his knee subsides. He's still without a clear timetable for making his 2024 debut.

The Marlins recalled Meyer from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Meyer will begin the season in Miami's rotation as Eury Perez (elbow), Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) continue to recover from injuries. The young right-hander is slated to make his season debut Monday versus the Angels.

The Mets placed Senga (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Senga was already expected to be out until at least mid-May due to a right shoulder capsule strain, so his move to the IL is simply procedural. The 31-year-old right-hander was cleared to begin his throwing progression Wednesday.

The Pirates selected Jones' contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Jones captured a spot in the Pirates rotation by allowing just three unearned runs to go along with a 15:8 K:BB in 16.1 innings during Grapefruit League play. The young right-hander is slated to make his major-league debut Saturday in Miami.

The Nationals placed Strasburg (thoracic outlet syndrome) on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Strasburg is essentially medically retired from baseball after he struggled to bounce back from his July 2021 thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, but he remains in the organization after he and the Nationals have thus far been unable to come to an agreement on how to dispense the $105 million he's still owed over the remaining three seasons of the seven-year, $245 million contract he signed in December 2019. Washington ownership is believed to be interested in deferring more of the money remaining in the deal, but Strasburg is already due $80 million in deferred money from 2027 through 2029 and is presumably keen on getting more of his salary up front. Until a resolution on Strasburg's financial situation is reached, he'll remain on the Nationals' books, though placing him on the 60-day IL at least frees up a 40-man roster spot.

The Rangers selected Urena's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

The veteran hurler held a 2.25 ERA and 14:3 K:BB over 16 innings this spring to win a spot on the Opening Day roster. Most of Urena's big-league experience is as a starter, but he will be used in long relief by the Rangers for the time being.

The Mariners recalled Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

The 24-year-old had been sent down last week, but he will enter the Seattle rotation as a replacement for the injured Bryan Woo (elbow). Hancock's first start of the season is slated to come Monday against the Guardians.

The White Sox placed Drohan (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

A Rule 5 selection this winter, Drohan missed the entirety of his first spring training with Chicago while recovering from left shoulder nerve decompression surgery. According to MLB.com, Drohan is expected to begin a throwing program shortly after the regular season begins, but his placement on the 60-day IL implies that the White Sox expect him to take nearly two months to get fully ramped up. Drohan served primarily as a starter for the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate in Worcester last season, registering a 6.37 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 93:63 K:BB in 89 innings.