MLB Player News

Henry is expected to be called up from Triple-A Reno to join the Arizona rotation after the Diamondbacks designated Madison Bumgarner for assignment Thursday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Henry looks like he'll get the first chance to fill Bumgarner's vacated rotation spot, which comes around again Monday versus the Royals. Brandon Pfaadt should soon enter consideration for a starting role with the big club, too, especially if Henry's early struggles at Reno carry over to the MLB scene. The 25-year-old holds an ugly 6.33 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB in 21.1 innings (four starts) this season with Reno and had a 5.36 ERA in nine big-league starts in 2022.

Pfaadt is scheduled to start Thursday for Triple-A Reno, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

It's notable that Pfaadt is basically on the same pitching schedule as Madison Bumgarner, who was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Pfaadt could eventually slide into Arizona's starting rotation as a direct replacement for Bumgarner, though Tommy Henry will reportedly get the first chance to fill the opening. Pfaadt, 24, has posted a 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 395:64 K:BB in 312 career minor-league innings and entered the 2023 campaign as a consensus top-100 prospect. He's tallied 17 strikeouts through 13.1 frames this season with Reno.

Watkins was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday due to a right fourth finger laceration, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

It doesn't seem to be anything that would keep him out for a long time, but he won't be an option for the Orioles for a while. Watkins holds a 4.15 ERA in three starts for Norfolk this season.

Kaprielian tossed a scoreless inning of relief in the Athletics' 4-0 loss to the Cubs on Tuesday.

Prior to Tuesday's contest, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle that his plans for Kaprielian and the rest of the team's rotation were fluid beyond Thursday's off day, but at least for now, the right-hander looks like he may be viewed as the team's sixth starter. Kaprielian's relief appearance came three days after he was blasted for six runs over 3.2 innings in a start against the Mets, inflating his season ERA to 12.15. Oakland has already named JP Sears, Shintaro Fujinami and Kyle Muller as its starters for the three-game weekend series in Texas, so Kaprielian looks like he's been pushed to the back of the pitching schedule. In order to allow Fujinami to remain on a once-a-week pitching schedule, Oakland is expected to maintain a six-man rotation, but even Kaprielian's hold on the No. 6 starting spot could be precarious. Both Drew Rucinski (hamstring) and Paul Blackburn (finger) are in the midst of rehab assignments and could soon be ready to return from the 15-day injured list to give Oakland additional rotation options.

Stoudt was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Stoudt got knocked around in a spot start Wednesday versus the Rays, yielding seven earned runs on nine hits and one walk over four innings. Luke Weaver (forearm) has been activated off the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move and will jump into Cincinnati rotation Thursday against the Pirates.

Abbott has 36 strikeouts and three walks while sporting a 1.15 ERA and 0.57 WHIP in 15.2 innings through three starts for Double-A Chattanooga.

A 64.3 percent strikeout rate and 58.9 K-BB% is a quick way for a pitching prospect to generate buzz. While Abbott was a known prospect entering the year, most evaluators had him pegged as a back-end starter. Last year, he had a 4.75 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 1.37 WHIP, 30.8 percent strikeout rate and 10.6 percent walk rate in 20 starts at Double-A. Look for Abbott to quickly get promoted to Triple-A, as he now has over 100 innings under his belt at Double-A and will turn 24 in June. From there, he could force a promotion to the majors in short order, given that Luis Cessa and Luke Weaver are currently in the big-league rotation. Abbott's hot start oversells his prospect value, as he's a cerebral lefty with a low-90s fastball, quality breaking ball and improved changeup, but there's no doubt he is trending up as much as any Double-A pitching prospect.

Milone cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma by the Mariners on Wednesday.

Milone was solid in a spot start for the M's last weekend and will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. He should rejoin Tacoma's rotation.

Hart was released by the Phillies on Wednesday.

Hart made one scoreless appearance with Triple-A Lehigh Valley back on April 8 but hadn't pitched since. He'll now look to latch on elsewhere.

Paxton (hamstring) allowed seven runs on five hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning in a rehab outing for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Paxton, making the third appearance of a rehab assignment, entered the game as a reliever and was scheduled to throw five innings but was given the hook after 43 pitches. Obviously the results are not what the Red Sox were looking for from the lefty, who was expected to need a couple more outings before joining the Red Sox. It's unclear if Wednesday's performance changes that plan. Of note, the appearance as a reliever suggests the Red Sox may be signaling a relief role for Paxton when he is eventually activated.

Garcia (1-2) earned his first win of the season in Wednesday's 8-1 victory over the Blue Jays, striking out nine over seven scoreless frames while permitting two hits and one walk.

The performance was a welcome sight for fantasy managers after Garcia failed to deliver a quality start in any of his first three outings of the season. The right-hander used his cutter effectively, with 19 of the 23 swinging strikes he generated among his 92 pitches coming on that pitch. The 26-year-old now has a 5.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB over 21 innings for the season and is tentatively slated to face Tampa Bay in his next start.