MLB Player News

The Cubs outrighted Velasquez to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

After being designated for assignment Sunday and then clearing waivers, Velasquez had the ability to elect free agency and pursue his options on the open market, but he looks like he'll wind up sticking in the Cubs organization. The veteran right-hander made one appearance out of the big-league bullpen upon being called up from Triple-A last Friday, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings. He'll likely shift back into a starting role with Iowa.

Berrios (elbow) could rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation Monday against the Rays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Berrios wasn't sharp in his last rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, giving up five earned runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. He did get stretched out to 70 pitches, however, and the stress fracture in his right elbow that sent him to the injured list doesn't appear to be giving him any trouble. The Blue Jays will talk with Berrios to see how he feels before making a determination on Monday's starter. It will either be Berrios or Eric Lauer, and Berrios could have the edge in large part due to Lauer's bullpen experience.

Civale did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five hits and a walk over five scoreless innings against the Royals. He struck out three.

Civale wasn't dominant, recording just a trio of strikeouts, but the 30-year-old was in control as he held the Royals scoreless across five innings. The outing marked a step in the right direction for the right-hander, who allowed just three earned runs across his first three starts before surrendering eight runs over his subsequent two outings. Overall, Civale owns a 2-1 record with a 3.23 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB across 30.2 innings in 2026.

The Angels designated Lucchesi for assignment Wednesday.

Lucchesi was knocked around for six runs (five earned) on seven hits with a 4:6 K:BB in his 3.1 innings with the Halos. It's the second time the lefty has been designated for assignment by the Angels this month. He elected free agency before re-signing on a minor-league deal the first time around.

Atlanta designated Carrasco for assignment Wednesday.

He'll give up his spot on the roster and in the bullpen to left-hander Dylan Lee (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list. After being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett last Thursday, Carrasco went on to toss a scoreless inning out of the bullpen against the Nationals later that day but didn't make any appearances beyond that. Assuming he clears waivers and doesn't elect free agency, Carrasco will likely return to Gwinnett, where he'll presumably slot back into the rotation.

Berrios (elbow) struck out two and allowed five earned runs on five hits -- including two home runs -- and two walks across four innings Tuesday in his rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo.

After making his first two rehab appearances with Single-A Dunedin, Berrios moved up to the Blue Jays' top affiliate for the third outing of his assignment. The right-hander built up to 70 pitches Wednesday and sported a fastball that sat around 92 miles per hour, but he wasn't especially sharp over his four innings. While Berrios appears to be stretched out enough to take over a spot in the big-league rotation, the Blue Jays may prefer to keep him in the minors for one more tune-up outing before bringing him back from the 15-day injured list.

The Yankees recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Rangers in Arlington.

One of the organization's top pitching prospects, Rodriguez will be making his MLB debut Wednesday while slotting into the rotation as a replacement for right-hander Luis Gil, who was recently optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 22-year-old Rodriguez earned the appointment to the big leagues after submitting a 1.27 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB in 21.1 innings. While the Yankees' plans for the young right-hander could change if he impresses immediately in his first taste of the big leagues, Rodriguez is most likely ticketed for a short-term stay in the rotation. New York could get two of its top starters in Gerrit Cole (elbow) and Carlos Rodon (elbow) back from the injured list within the next couple of weeks.

Martin (4-1) earned the win Tuesday against the Angels, allowing one run on seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts across 5.2 innings.

The right-hander continues to dazzle for Chicago, as Martin has posted back-to-back seven-strikeout outings and wraps up his April having allowed just five earned runs across 32 innings to go along with a 27:6 K:BB. His 2.86 FIP suggests Martin's results are legit after he outdueled Jose Soriano on Tuesday. Martin is throwing his fastball less this season and has upped the usage on his sinker, slider and changeup. Martin is scheduled to again face the Angels on the road next week for his next start.

Imai (arm) was charged with five runs on six hits and three walks over two innings in his first rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday.

It's not the bottom-line result the Astros were looking for from Imai, who threw 59 pitches over his two innings of work. The Japanese right-hander will require at least one more rehab outing as he continues to ramp back up. Imai has been sidelined for more than two weeks with fatigue in his pitching arm.

Freeland (1-2) took the loss Tuesday as the Rockies were downed 7-2 by the Reds, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.

Making his return from a three-week absence due to shoulder trouble, Freeland got ambushed for three runs in the first inning before settling down, including a two-run shot by Spencer Steer. The veteran southpaw sports a still-respectable 3.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB through 20.2 innings, and he'll look to rebound in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against Atlanta.