MLB Player News

GM Dana Brown said Brown (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Tuesday before potentially beginning a rehab assignment, with the Astros targeting mid-June to activate him from the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander continues to work his way back from a shoulder strain, and facing live batters appears to be the final hurdle before being cleared for game action. Brown's rehab assignment is expected to be a lengthy one with at least four starts in the minor leagues.

Perez is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Marlins in Miami, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.

The veteran left-hander was originally penciled in to start Monday's series opener, but he's been pushed back a day after firing a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's loss to Boston. Perez has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign with a 2.25 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB across 36 innings while starting in five of his nine appearances.

The Dodgers optioned Barnes to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

The left-hander was called up Friday and will return to Triple-A after delivering a scoreless frame in two appearances. Barnes has a 3.04 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27:12 K:BB across 26.2 innings for Oklahoma City this year.

The Rockies recalled Castano from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

The right-hander was up with the Rockies for a doubleheader in late April but returned to Triple-A without appearing in a game. Castano has been very effective at Albuquerque this year with just two runs allowed and a 12:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings.

The Angels optioned Manoah to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

The right-hander was reinstated from the injured list May 6 and will now head to the minors after giving up eight earned runs with a 5:8 K:BB in three appearances (7.1 innings). Manoah was unscored upon in his first two outings but struggled mightily in Saturday's contest. He's being demoted to make room on the big-league roster for Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder), who is coming off the IL to start Sunday's game versus the Dodgers.

The Angels reinstated Rodrigez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

The Angels acquired Rodriguez from the Orioles during the offseason and he opened the campaign on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. The 26-year-old last pitched in the big leagues in 2024 due to multiple arm issues, but he's ready to make his Halos debut after making two minor-league rehab starts. Rodriguez threw 94 pitches across 4.2 innings during his last rehab outing, so he shouldn't face significant workload limitations.

The Padres recalled Giolito from Double-A San Antonio to start Sunday's game against the Mariners.

After making four starts in the minor leagues, Giolito is ready to make his 2026 major-league debut. The right-hander built up to 74 pitches over six innings during his last outing with San Antonio, so he shouldn't have significant workload limitations in his first outing for San Diego. Giolito posted a 3.41 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 121:56 K:BB across 145 innings with the Red Sox last season, but he was unable to land a contract for 2026 until signing with the Friars in late April.

Fajardo has posted a 2.83 ERA and 42:6 K:BB over his first 28.2 innings at High-A Peoria this season.

His numbers were much better before his last outing, as Fajardo permitted a season-high five runs in four frames while doubling his season walk total with three free passes. Prior to that, he hadn't surrendered more than one earned run in any of his first six outings. Fajardo doesn't turn 20 until October, making his performance during his first stint in the Midwest League all the more impressive. He was acquired from the Red Sox over the winter in the Willson Contreras trade.

Cijntje tied his career high with 10 strikeouts but was charged with four runs (three earned) over 4.1 innings in Double-A Springfield's loss to Tulsa on Saturday.

Cijntje has struck out 46 batters across 35.2 innings in his eight starts with Springfield, but he's also walked 20 and holds a 6.06 ERA. The switch pitcher has thrown a bit from the left side this season, but his focus has been developing as a right-hander. Cijntje was acquired from the Mariners over the offseason in the deal that sent Brendan Donovan to Seattle.

The Cubs selected Blach's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Blach joined the organization on a minor-league deal in mid-April and has gotten into five games (three starts) for Iowa, posting a 5.23 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB over 20.2 innings. He'll likely work in long relief out of the bullpen with the big-league club. Reliever Hunter Harvey (triceps) was moved to the 60-day IL to make room for Blach, while Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A.