MLB Player News

Ryan (groin) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is expected to embark on a rehab assignment within the next few days, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Ryan's session reportedly went well, and the start date of his rehab assignment will depend on how he's feeling Wednesday. The Twins haven't indicated how long they plan on keeping Ryan on assignment, but a multiple-start trip would keep him out until at least late August.

Eovaldi (forearm) threw another bullpen session Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Eovaldi pitched the equivalent of two innings during his bullpen Tuesday, and the Rangers were encouraged by what they saw. The 33-year-old righty figures to graduate to facing live hitters soon and could return before the end of the month if the team decides to skip a rehab assignment.

Stroman (hip) is experiencing right rib discomfort and will not be activated from the injured list Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Stroman had been slated to return to the Cubs' rotation Wednesday night against the White Sox, but his absence will stretch on at least a little while longer. The 32-year-old is being evaluated Tuesday by Chicago's medical staff to determine the severity of this rib-related setback. He originally landed on the injured list Aug. 2 due to right hip inflammation.

Pittsburgh optioned Priester to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Priester got a six-start run in the Pirates' starting rotation and struggled to a 9.10 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 23:18 K:BB across 28.2 innings. It's uncertain whether the 22-year-old right-hander will get another look in the majors before the end of the 2023 season. Yohan Ramirez has been called up in a corresponding move.

The Mets recalled Butto from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Butto has spent the majority of this season with Syracuse and holds an underwhelming 5.96 ERA in 80 innings there, but the Mets need a fresh bullpen arm leading into Tuesday night's game against the Pirates.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said Wainwright's role will be re-evaluated after his next start Thursday against the Mets, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Wainwright got roughed up again last Friday in Kansas City, yielding eight earned runs while recording only three outs as his season ERA climbed to 8.78. He is just two wins away from reaching 200 career victories, but the 41-year-old right-hander might actually have a better shot at achieving that milestone in a piggyback relief role. "We've talked to him, and he understands that he's got to do better," Mozeliak said of Wainwright. "He's appreciative that he's getting the opportunity [on Thursday], but he understands that things could change [in the future]."

Lodolo (lower leg) shifted his rehab assignment Tuesday from the Arizona Complex League to Double-A Chattanooga.

Lodolo looked sharp in his rehab debut this past Friday in the rookie-level ACL, striking out four of the seven batters he faced across two scoreless innings. Out since early May because of a stress reaction in his left tibia, the 25-year-old southpaw is currently trending toward a late-August return to the Cincinnati rotation. Hunter Greene (hip) is also making progress on the farm.

The Cubs are expected to bring Stroman (hip) back from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's home game versus the White Sox, Meghan Montemurro and Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune report.

Stroman apparently checked out fine following his 50-pitch bullpen session Friday in Toronto, setting the right-hander up for a return from the IL when first eligible. Given the hefty workload he handled during the side session, Stroman could be in line for close to a normal pitch count as he steps back in the Chicago rotation for the first time since July 31. The Cubs will hope that Stroman's brief shutdown period will be enough for him to fully move past the right hip issue and regain the form he showed earlier in the season that earned him his second All-Star selection. In his last seven starts before going on the IL, Stroman went 1-4 with a 9.00 ERA and 1.93 WHIP in 30 innings.

Watkins will start for the Athletics on Tuesday in St. Louis, Jessica Kleinschmidt of The Comeback reports.

It had been Freddy Tarnok's turn, but he's gone down with a calf injury. Watkins was claimed off waivers a week ago and this will be his first start in the majors in 2023. He holds a career 5.85 ERA over 39 appearances -- 30 starts -- at the major-league level.

Hancock is slated to start Tuesday's game in Kansas City.

The rookie will receive a second turn through the rotation after he turned in a solid big-league debut last Wednesday against the Padres. Though he didn't factor into the decision in the Mariners' 6-1 win, Hancock covered five innings and allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out three. Tuesday's outing marks what's expected to be the first of two starts this week for Hancock, who tentatively lines up to take the hill again this Sunday in Houston.