MLB Player News

General manager Rick Hahn said Saturday that Martin could join the White Sox's rotation after Dallas Keuchel was designated for assignment, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander made his major-league debut against the Royals on May 17, and he allowed a run on five hits and a walk while striking out seven in five innings to take the loss. Although he was sent down following the start, both Martin and Vince Velasquez are in the mix to take Keuchel's spot in the White Sox's rotation. Even if Martin joins the major-league rotation next week, he'll likely return to the minors or take on a bullpen role once Lance Lynn (knee) is cleared to return.

General manager Rick Hahn said Saturday that Velasquez could rejoin the rotation after Dallas Keuchel was designated for assignment, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Velasquez's first seven appearances of the season came as a starter, but he tossed three relief innings against the Red Sox on Tuesday. Even if the right-hander rejoins the rotation next week, he'll likely return to the bullpen once Lance Lynn (knee) returns from the injured list. Velasquez hasn't been particularly effective early in the season, as he's posted a 5.30 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 35.2 innings over eight appearances (seven starts). Davis Martin is also in the mix to take Keuchel's spot in the rotation.

Pepiot was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

The right-hander started Friday's game against the Diamondbacks and gave up a run on three hits and three walks while striking out five in 4.1 innings. While Pepiot was effective in his third major-league start, he'll head back to the minors with Michael Grove being recalled by the Dodgers on Saturday.

Grove was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Grove made his major-league debut as a starter in mid-May, and he struck out three in 3.2 scoreless innings against the Phillies. While the right-hander will rejoin the major-league roster Saturday, it appears as though he'll be available out of the bullpen for now. Ryan Pepiot was sent down to make room for Grove on the active roster.

Soroka (Achilles) will join Atlanta's spring training facility in Florida to continue his rehab and will face live hitters at the team complex before eventually beginning a rehab assignment, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Soroka has been sidelined by a sequence of Achilles issues since August of 2020, and it looks as though his absence will last roughly two years before he finally returns to the big leagues. He's making encouraging progress, though it's unclear exactly when he'd be ready to begin his rehab assignment.

Wentz (lower leg) will be called up as the Tigers' 27th man to start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Twins, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Wentz exited Wednesday's start at Triple-A Toledo after he was hit on the shin by a comebacker, but the injury is apparently of no concern, as he's been cleared to make his second major-league start Tuesday. The southpaw struggled in his big-league debut against the Athletics on May 11, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out one over 2.2 innings.

Watkins (forearm) played catch from 70 feet Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Although Watkins' throwing session Saturday didn't require much intensity, he said afterward that he didn't experience any pain and was only dealing with light stiffness. The right-hander is progressing in his recovery from a bruised right forearm, but it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to game action.

Keuchel was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Saturday.

Keuchel signed a three-year, $55.5 million contract with Chicago prior to the 2020 season, and while he did give the team a 1.99 ERA in the first year of his deal, it's become apparent over the last two seasons that he just doesn't have it anymore. A 5.28 ERA last year was bad enough, but that figure ballooned to 7.88 through eight starts this season as he walked as many batters as he struck out. His formerly elite groundball rate also dipped to a merely good 50.8 percent, a career low. As a 34-year-old with that sort of recent track record and a fastball that averages 88.2 mph, he's unlikely to generate much interest on the open market and is all but guaranteed not to get claimed while a team still has to take on the entirety of his remaining contract.

Strasburg (neck) is scheduled to make his second rehab start at Single-A Fredericksburg on Sunday, Byron Kerr of MLB.com reports.

Strasburg is expected to require at least three rehab starts prior to returning to major-league action, and the team is hopeful that he'll be able to throw 60-70 innings over 4-5 innings during his second outing Sunday. As long as he feels good afterward, the right-hander is expected to rejoin the Nationals to throw a bullpen next week before presumably heading out for another rehab start. If Strasburg remains on track in his recovery, he'll likely be in the mix to be activated at some point in early-to-mid June.

Quintana allowed two runs (none earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out four across 5.1 innings Friday against San Diego. He did not factor into the decision.

Quintana held the Padres in check for five innings but was pulled in the sixth frame after he allowed a single and an additional runner reached base on an error. His four strikeouts weren't particularly impressive, though he did manage to rack up 14 swinging strikes across 96 pitches. Quintana has allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven consecutive starts and now owns a 2.15 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 38:17 K:BB across 46 innings on the season.