MLB Player News

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Houser (groin) will make one more rehab start at Triple-A Nashville prior to being activated from the 15-day injured list, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Though Houser stretched out to 69 pitches and was sharp over his 4.2-inning appearance with Nashville on Sunday, the Brewers will have him build up a little more in the minors. Stashing Houser in the minors for at least another week will also give Milwaukee more time to decide whether to bring him back as their new fifth starter or to stick with Colin Rea in that role. Rea has been solid through his first two starts (4.22 ERA, 0.94 WHIP in 10.2 innings) and will take the hill again Monday versus the Tigers, but he doesn't have much of a recent big-league track record to fall back on compared to Houser.

The Rockies are expected to activate Marquez (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to have him start Wednesday's series finale in Cleveland, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Marquez reportedly responded well to throwing a bullpen session Sunday, his second since landing on the injured list April 12. Rather than having Marquez waste his bullets during a simulated game or minor-league rehab start, the right-hander will slot right back into the big-league rotation when he's first eligible to return from the IL. He could be in store for a lighter workload than usual, however.

The Red Sox optioned Bello to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Boston will at least temporarily bring an end to its six-man rotation, with Tanner Houck sticking around as the team's No. 5 starter over Bello. After opening the season on the injured list while recovering from forearm inflammation, Bello was activated April 17 and made two starts for the Red Sox last week. Bello was blitzed for five earned runs over 2.2 innings in a Patriots' Day loss to the Angels that was marred by poor weather, and he displayed only marginal improvement in his return to the mound Sunday, when he gave up three earned runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings in a win over Milwaukee. The Red Sox recalled lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino from Worcester to replace Bello on the 26-man active roster.

The White Sox placed Giolito on the bereavement list Monday.

The transaction comes after Giolito took the loss in his start Sunday at Tropicana Field, where he worked seven innings against the Rays and struck out five while allowing four earned runs. The White Sox haven't indicated that Giolito will be away from the team for more than a few days, so he could still rejoin the squad before his next turn in the rotation comes up Friday versus the Rays, this time in Chicago. The White Sox activated reliever Joe Kelly (groin) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Murphy has yet to give up a run with an 11:3 K:BB through two starts and 7.1 innings for Single-A Augusta.

The right-hander won't turn 20 until September, but Murphy has lived up to his first-round pedigree to begin his first full pro season. Atlanta is hoping his athleticism -- he was a two-way player in high school -- will lead to plus command down the road and let his four-pitch mix, highlighted by a low-90s fastball with good movement and a potentially plus curve, play up. Murphy likely won't be rushed through the system given his age, but if everything comes together for him, in a few years he could emerge as a stingy mid-rotation option along the lines of a pre-injury Michael Soroka.

Senzatela (knee) is scheduled to make his first rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Albuquerque, MLB.com reports.

Senzatela was initially lined up to take the hill for Double-A Hartford this past Sunday, but a rainout foiled those plans and pushed his first start back two days. The right-hander is making his way back from the surgery he required last August on his left knee to repair a torn ACL, and because of his lengthy layoff, he'll presumably require at least three rehab starts to get fully stretched out.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Marquez (forearm) completed a second full bullpen session Sunday and is "on track" to return from the 15-day injured list as soon as this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Marquez is eligible to return from the IL as soon as Wednesday's series finale in Cleveland, but Noah Davis is already listed as the team's confirmed starter for that day. As such, a return for this weekend's series versus the Diamondbacks at Coors Field seems more realistic for Marquez, provided the Rockies don't feel that he needs to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand. Whenever Marquez is activated, Austin Gomber (0-4, 12.12 ERA, 2.14 WHIP in four starts) would seem to be most at risk of losing his rotation spot.

Houser (groin) worked 4.2 scoreless innings in his rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Nashville, striking out two while allowing six hits and no walks.

The right-hander built up to 69 pitches (46 strikes) in the third outing of his rehab assignment and was in control throughout the day, as none of the six hits he allowed went for extra bases. Before landing on the injured list prior to Opening Day with a right groin issue, Houser appeared to be ticketed for a bullpen role, but the Brewers now appear to be prepping him for a potential rotation spot with long-term injuries to Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) and Aaron Ashby (shoulder) having already tested the team's depth. For the time being, Colin Rea is locked in as the Brewers' No. 5 starter, but a poor outing Monday versus a weak Detroit offense could result in a demotion back to Triple-A. Houser will likely be the next man up if the Brewers decide to move Rea out of the rotation or if another starter succumbs to an injury.

Rucinski (hamstring) fired 5.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sugar Land on Sunday.

Rucinski worked up to 72 pitches after tossing 62 in his previous rehab start, a fairly disastrous 2.2-inning stint where he allowed seven runs (five earned). The veteran right-hander's ability to bounce back impressively Sunday in what was his third minor-league outing overall could be enough to earn him activation, with a decision on that front likely in coming days.

Abbott was promoted from Double-A Chattanooga to Triple-A Louisville on Monday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

After making 20 starts at Chattanooga a season ago, Abbott returned to the Southern League to begin the 2023 campaign but was able to earn a quick promotion after striking out 36 and walking just three while posting a 1.15 ERA and 0.57 WHIP across 15.2 innings through his three outings. Now at the final rung of the minor-league ladder, the 23-year-old lefty could have a realistic chance at making his MLB debut later this season if he can continue to make bats miss and limit walks in the International League.