MLB Player News

Carrasco (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It was his first time throwing off a mound since he went on the injured list April 16 due to pain caused by a small bone chip in his right elbow. Carrasco received an injection April 19, which has apparently helped him get over the hump. He could return to the Mets' rotation in the early part of May if all continues to go well with his side work.

Walker (forearm) could make his next scheduled start after an encouraging visit with the Phillies' medical staff Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It was determined that an MRI was unnecessary after Walker was examined Thursday, and he then played catch without issue at Citizens Bank Park. He made an early exit from his start Wednesday against the Mariners due to right forearm tightness, but for now it would appear that the discomfort was only a minor scare. If he does indeed stay on his normal turn, Walker would face the Dodgers in Los Angeles next Monday.

Rucinski (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to make a start during the Athletics' series with the Reds this weekend, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Rucinski pitched well Sunday in his final rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas and got through a recent bullpen session with no issues. The Athletics haven't named a starter for Friday's series opener, so that day is seemingly the most logical time that Rucinski will slot into the rotation. Rucinski, who signed a one-year, $3 million deal with Oakland this offseason following a four-year run in the Korea Baseball Organization, has been sidelined since late March with a hamstring injury.

Jobe (back) is in the middle of the long-toss portion of his throwing program, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Jobe was diagnosed with lumbar spine inflammation back in mid-March and is expected to miss at least half of the season. The 20-year-old is a top-100 prospect but has a lot of catching up to do to get back on track.

Hendricks (shoulder) surrendered six earned runs on six hits and one walk over 1.2 innings Thursday in his rehab debut with Triple-A Iowa. He struck out three.

The only positive takeaways are that Hendricks got up to 54 pitches and made it through the outing without suffering a setback. He has room to improve from a results standpoint heading into his second rehab start next week. Almost fully recovered from a capsule tear in his right shoulder, the 33-year-old is expected to join the Cubs around the middle of May.

The Reds placed Ashcraft on the bereavement list Thursday.

Ashcraft pitched Wednesday's win over the Rangers and will presumably be back in time for his next turn in the Reds' rotation early next week in San Diego. The 25-year-old boasts a 2.10 ERA with 24 strikeouts through 30 innings (five starts) this season.

Allen is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Allen will get another turn through the Cleveland rotation after he dazzled in his MLB debut last Sunday against the Marlins, striking out eight while allowing only one earned run on five hits and one walk across six innings. Manager Terry Francona has said that both Allen and fellow rookie Tanner Bibee with stick around with the big club for at least a few more days, but Cleveland may have only one rotation spot available for the two young hurlers once one of Aaron Civale (oblique) or Triston McKenzie (shoulder) returns from the injured list. A poor showing in Boston could put Allen at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Columbus.

Darvish (hamstring) is listed as the Padres' probable starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Giants in Mexico City.

Darvish experienced right hamstring cramping in his most recent start April 23 in Arizona, but with the Padres having two days off this week, the right-hander was afforded some extra recovery time and appears to have recovered nicely. He takes a 1-2 record, 3.00 ERA and 1.13 WHIP into his fifth start of the season this weekend.

Butto is scheduled to start Sunday's game against Atlanta at Citi Field.

Butto will wind up getting two starts this week, as he previously took a loss to the Nationals on Tuesday while working 4.2 innings and giving up two runs on four hits and six walks. Through his two outings with the big club this season, Butto owns an ugly 3:10 K:BB in 9.2 innings, and the poor control he's displayed thus far makes it tough to rely on him as a streaming option against a potent Atlanta lineup. The Mets are set to return Max Scherzer from suspension next week and will likely get Justin Verlander (shoulder) back from the injured list as well, so expect Butto to be optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse following Sunday's start, regardless of how he performs.

Medina was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics on Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Medina was rocked for seven earned runs over five innings in his major-league debut versus the Angels on Wednesday. The right-hander should get another shot eventually but will rejoin the Vegas rotation for now.