MLB Player News

Wheeler (2-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks over six innings during a 9-3 victory over the Rockies. He struck out 11.

Aside from a three-run fourth, Wheeler was sharp through six innings and tied his season high with 11 strikeouts. It was the right-hander's second quality start of the season, and he currently sports a 4.73 ERA with a 34:10 K:BB. Wheeler's next start is tentatively scheduled for Philadelphia's upcoming three-game road set in Houston.

The Guardians optioned Gaddis to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

As expected, Gaddis will return to the minors after he was called up from Columbus to serve as the Guardians' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Marlins. Though he turned in a scoreless two-inning relief appearance in Cleveland's 6-1 loss in Game 1, Gaddis' poor body of work in four starts with the big club earlier this season has removed him from consideration for a spot in the Guardians' rotation at this time. Instead, Logan Allen -- who was promoted from Triple-A to take the hill for Sunday's series finale with Miami -- will at least temporarily settle in as the Guardians' new No. 5 starter.

Maeda (ankle) is listed as the Twins' probable starter Wednesday against the Yankees, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander is still scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday, which should provide final confirmation for his ability to start Wednesday's contest. Maeda exited his previous start Thursday in Boston after being struck in the left ankle by a comebacker, but it doesn't appear the injury will force him to be pushed back in Minnesota's rotation.

Kaprielian allowed three earned runs on four hits over one inning of relief while recording a strikeout in a loss to the Rangers on Saturday.

It was the second straight relief outing for Kaprielian after making his first three appearances of the season as a member of the starting rotation and pitching to a 12.15 ERA and 3.4 HR/9 in the process. The struggling right-hander tossed 24 pitches during his one frame Saturday, and with Paul Blackburn's (finger) season debut potentially being pushed back into early May due to a blister that caused his latest rehab start to be postponed, Kaprielian could be set for a spot start Thursday against the Angels.

Winn has a 7.88 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 16 innings for Triple-A Round Rock.

The 23-year-old righty has averaged four innings per appearance while walking 13 and striking out 16. The results haven't matched Winn's prospect pedigree to date at Triple-A, where he has a 6.49 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 145.2 career innings.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Gonsolin (ankle) will likely start Wednesday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Gonsolin was called off his minor-league rehab assignment and looks like he'll instead make his next start with the Dodgers in what will be his 2023 big-league debut. Since he covered just three innings in his lone rehab start, the right-hander will likely be able to work around four innings Wednesday in a game that may bear a closer resemblance to a bullpen day, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Gonsolin may have some rust to shake off, but he should be a strong fantasy option as long as he can stay healthy for the remainder of the campaign. Given his projected light workload Wednesday, however, fantasy managers are probably best off keeping him stashed on the bench or in an injured reserve slot rather than activating him this week.

Springs (elbow) is scheduled to undergo his season-ending Tommy John surgery Monday in Texas, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The operation will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister, one of the renowned specialists for athletes who are dealing with arm-related injuries. The Rays will provide an update after the surgery is performed regarding whether Springs required any additional procedures beyond repairing his UCL, but assuming the lefty requires little more than the traditional Tommy John surgery, he'll face a loose 12-to-18-month rehab and recovery process. With that in mind, Springs should be expected to miss a significant portion of the 2024 season as well.

Rucinski (hamstring) was tagged for seven runs (five earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out two across 2.2 innings in his second rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Rucinski built up his pitch count to 62 after tossing 45 pitches in his first rehab start April 12, but that was about the only positive takeaway in his second outing with Las Vegas. The right-hander threw only 35 of his pitches for strikes and retired only eight of the 17 batters he faced on the day. Despite his lackluster results through two rehab outings, Rucinski could still have a starting spot in Oakland waiting for him once he's activated from the 15-day injured list, given the low barrier for entry into the big-league rotation. He'll first make a third rehab start for Las Vegas on Sunday before the Athletics determine his next step.

Cubs manager David Ross told reporters Sunday that Hendricks (shoulder) is set to begin a rehab assignment, but the team hasn't decided what level he'll head to, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The decision will likely be based in part on the weather forecasts in the various cities the affiliates of the Cubs will be playing in. The right-hander threw three innings in a simulated game Saturday in Arizona at the Cubs' spring training facility, and he will throw a side session Tuesday before they make the decision where his rehab starts will take place. Hendricks is working his way back from the shoulder strain that has sidelined him throughout the beginning of the 2023 campaign, and he will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances in the minors. If all goes well, he should be a part of the Cubs' rotation in the middle of May.

McKenzie (shoulder) began a throwing program Friday, MLB.com reports.

Sidelined all season with the right teres major muscle strain he suffered in his final Cactus League start in late March, McKenzie has finally taken the first meaningful step forward in his recovery from the injury. He played catch from approximately 75 feet Friday, and he should gradually stretch out his throwing distance off flat ground over the next couple of weeks before eventually moving on to mound work. The Guardians transferred McKenzie to the 60-day injured list earlier this month, but the team remains optimistic that the lanky right-hander will be ready to return when first eligible for activation May 29.