MLB Player News

Gray (5-1) allowed one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over Baltimore.

After allowing a solo homer to Adley Rutschman in the first inning, Gray was nearly untouchable. He cruised through seven frames en route to a dominant 12-2 Rangers victory. Gray's been lights out over his last four starts, yielding just three runs with a 27:5 K:BB in 27 frames while earning a win in each outing. The veteran righty lowered his season ERA to 2.81 and has won five consecutive decisions since losing his season debut. Gray is currently projected for a matchup in Detroit next week.

Whitlock will start Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock will make a return to the rotation after missing over a month with ulnar neuritis in his right forearm. The right-hander has struggled to a 6.19 ERA over his three starts in 2023, but his previous success suggests that he can be an effective fantasy option in the coming months. There is some risk that comes with starting him in his first outing back, but there's plenty of reward potential that comes with it.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters Friday that Urquidy (shoulder) has begun throwing on flat ground, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Baker noted that Urquidy will still have to build his arm back up, but he also mentioned that the right-hander has dealt with shoulder inflammation in the past. After getting shut down in late April, Urquidy could need a lengthy rehab assignment, but it's possible the right-hander will be able to return to the Houston rotation right around the All-Star break.

Rogers (biceps) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Jupiter starting next week, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The exact date of when he will pitch hasn't been announced just yet, but it's a positive development that the left-hander will be facing minor leaguers soon. Rogers will likely need to make at least a couple rehab appearances, but he could rejoin the Miami rotation in early June if he has no setbacks.

Maeda (triceps) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A St. Paul, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Maeda will probably be asked to make a handful of rehab starts given the amount of time he's missed. The 35-year-old right-hander posted a 9.00 ERA across his first four starts (16 innings) this season before going on the injured list in late April due to a right triceps strain.

Keller (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

It will be Keller's first mound workout since he went on the injured list due to right shoulder impingement syndrome. There is currently no timeline for his return to the Royals' rotation, but he does seem to be headed in a positive direction following a brief shutdown period.

Lynch (shoulder) appears to be on track to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game versus the Nationals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kansas City hasn't yet announced a starter for Sunday, but Lynch looks like an excellent candidate to fill the opneing after delivering six scoreless innings in his latest rehab outing this past Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha. The 26-year-old southpaw was poised to be a part of the Opening Day rotation before he suffered a left shoulder strain in late March. Lynch compiled a 5.32 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 177:83 K:BB across his first 199.2 major-league innings between 2021 and 2022.

Steele (6-2) took the loss Friday, allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits over 3.2 innings during a 9-0 loss to the Reds. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.

Steele allowed a season-high 10 hits and at least five earned runs for the second time in his past three starts. Despite his recent struggles, he doesn't face any threats to his spot in the rotation and sports above-average numbers with a 2.77 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 57:16 K:BB over 11 appearances (65 innings). For the most part, the left-hander has relied on a two-pitch mix, but he may need to work in a third offering to avoid further poor outings.

Greene (1-4) earned the win Friday, tossing six hitless innings during a 9-0 victory over the Cubs. He struck out 11 and walked two.

Coming into the contest, Greene allowed seven home runs and 17 runs over his previous four starts, but he was still striking batters out at a high clip (29 through 22 innings). He maintained that elite strikeout rate versus the Cubs while reducing the hard contact, resulting in the best outing of his season and arguably of his short two-year career. The hard-throwing right-hander has all the makings of an ace, but he hasn't proven it consistently yet. The best stretch of his career thus far came at the end of 2022, when he posted a 0.62 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 45:7 K:BB over his final five starts (29 innings), which included a two-hit, eight strikeout performance against the Cubs.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias revealed Friday that Means (elbow) recently suffered a muscle strain in his upper back, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The strain is in the scapular area, although it's not clear whether it's to his left (throwing) shoulder or right shoulder. This represents a fairly significant setback for Means in his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery. He had been on track to join the Orioles around the All-Star break but he can probably now be ruled out through at least the end of July.