MLB Player News

Heaney (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Monday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Heaney has been out since mid-April due to a shoulder issue, but he's taking steps toward his return. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that the lefty needed one more bullpen session before being cleared to face hitters, so that clearance should be coming soon.

Senzatela (back) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday and plans to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Senzatela has been on the 15-day IL for nearly a week due to a lower-back strain, but he's making good progress in his recovery. Assuming his upcoming rehab start goes well, the right-hander will likely be on track to rejoin the major-league club in late May or early June.

Sears will likely be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Sears made two relief appearances for the Yankees early in the season and tossed two scoreless innings before being sent down in mid-April. However, he's worked mainly as a starter at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and has posted a 1.25 ERA and 0.61 WHIP in 21.2 innings over six appearances (four starts). The Yankees need a spot starter after Sunday's doubleheader against the White Sox, so Sears will likely step in to make his first major-league start during Wednesday's home matchup.

The Orioles placed Watkins on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Though Watkins avoided any structural damage to his right forearm and escaped with a bruise after he was struck by a line drive three batters into his start in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Rays, the 29-year-old is still experiencing enough discomfort a day later to take him out of the mix for his next turn through the rotation. Unless the Orioles are willing to advance top prospect Grayson Rodriguez to the big leagues, Keegan Akin or Mike Baumann could be the top candidates to enter the rotation in place of Watkins when a fifth starter is next needed during Saturday's doubleheader in Boston.

Overton said Monday that an MRI revealed a stress reaction in his lower back, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He expects to miss 6-to-8 weeks due to the injury.

The Reds will likely formally place Overton on the 15-day injured list prior to Monday's series opener versus the Cubs. Though the news of Overton's injury first surfaced when he was scratched ahead of his start in Toronto over the weekend, the 28-year-old right-hander relayed that he had been pitching through the issue throughout the season. Even though he was ostensibly less than fully healthy, Overton still managed to deliver a 1.82 ERA and 0.89 WHIP through four starts, though an anemic 3.4 K-BB% would have made him a prime candidate for regression had he continued to make regular starts for the Reds. Expect him to be sidelined through the All-Star break while he recovers from the stress reaction.

The Cardinals recalled Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

It's been a busy three days for Liberatore. He was called up for his big-league debut Saturday before being optioned the next day, only to rejoin St. Louis one day later with Steven Matz (shoulder) landing on the injured list. It's unclear exactly how long Matz's absence will last, but Liberatore will get the chance to replace him in the rotation and should have at least a couple more starts to prove he belongs in the big leagues. His debut wasn't particularly good, as he allowed four runs in 4.2 innings against the lowly Pirates, but he's talented enough that there's reason to expect more going forward. According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, Liberatore is scheduled to make his second start with the Cardinals next Saturday versus the Brewers in St. Louis.

Matz was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left shoulder impingement.

Matz left his start Sunday against the Pirates after throwing just four pitches due to what was originally called shoulder stiffness. He underwent an MRI later in the day, though for now the injury isn't being referred to as anything worse than an impingement. He'll be eligible to return June 7, but it's not yet clear when the Cardinals expect him back. Matthew Liberatore was recalled to take his place in the rotation.

Kremer (oblique) is scheduled to make his second rehab appearance Tuesday with Triple-A Norfolk, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Kremer is presumably looking to work deeper into Tuesday's outing than he did in his initial rehab appearance with Double-A Bowie on May 18, when he struck out five over two scoreless innings (25 pitches). The 26-year-old right-hander had been in line for a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day rotation until a left oblique strain suffered during a bullpen session prior to his first start resulted in him moving to the IL. Kremer may not be guaranteed a spot in Baltimore's rotation once he's fully ramped up.

Ashcraft returned to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Ashcraft was one of four players who joined the Reds for their weekend series in Toronto, replacing a group of players who evidently couldn't cross the border into Canada due to their decision not to vaccinate themselves against COVID-19. Ashcraft got the chance to start Sunday and allowed two runs over 4.1 innings during his MLB debut. He'll return to Louisville for now with the team back on the American side of the border.

The Reds reinstated Mahle from the restricted list Monday.

Mahle missed the weekend series in Toronto while on the restricted list, suggesting that he was ineligible to cross the border into Canada by electing not to get vaccinated against COVID-19. He wouldn't have pitched during the series even if he was allowed to be in the country, however, as he had just started Thursday in Cleveland. He's expected to return to the mound Tuesday against the Cubs for what could be a two-start week, as he'll be on turn to pitch Sunday against the Giants as well.