MLB Player News

Flaherty (shoulder) advanced to throwing off flat ground from 240 feet Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Since he was cleared to begin a throwing program about two weeks ago, Flaherty hasn't hit any snags in his recovery from right shoulder inflammation. Although he's playing long toss, the right-hander isn't expected to resume throwing off a mound until after the first week in May, per John Denton of MLB.com. Since he was sidelined for all of spring training, Flaherty may need another month to fully build up for starting duty before he makes his return from the 10-day injured list.

Gonzales (wrist) was spotted playing catch Thursday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The light throwing session comes one day after Gonzales took a 109-mile-per-hour line drive off his left wrist Wednesday, which resulted in him exiting in the first inning of his start against the Rays. Fortunately, Gonzales avoided any structural damage to his wrist and escaped with a bruise. The injury seemingly didn't inhibit him while throwing a day later, and if he's able to complete a bullpen session over the weekend without issue, he should be ready to take the hill when his next turn in the rotation comes up Monday in Houston.

The Twins announced Ober was removed from his start in Thursday's game against the Tigers due to right groin tightness, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Ober was in line for the win at the time of his departure, as he exited with a 2-1 lead after giving up an earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings. The Twins are labeling Ober as day-to-day, but he'll presumably need to complete a bullpen session without incident in the next two or three days to make his next turn through the rotation. He tentatively lines up to return to the mound Tuesday in Baltimore.

Ober exited Thursday's game against the Tigers with right groin tightness, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Ober tossed 73 pitches prior to his departure and is considered day-to-day. The right-hander will presumably be monitored in the coming days before the Twins determine his status for his next turn through his rotation. If he's able to play through the issue, Ober tentatively lines up to start on the road Tuesday against Baltimore.

Ober was removed from Thursday's game against the Tigers in the top of the fourth inning due to an apparent injury, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Ober gave up two singles and a balk during the fourth inning, and he exited the game after visiting with the athletic trainer. The right-hander threw 73 pitches and allowed a run on six hits and two walks while striking out three in 3.2 innings prior to his departure. The nature and severity of his injury haven't been revealed, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to make his next turn through the rotation, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday in Baltimore.

Sale (ribs) threw seven pitches during a bullpen session this week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Sale had been playing catch since mid-April, but his bullpen session this week represented the first time that he threw off a mound since sustaining a stress fracture on the right side of his ribcage. The southpaw isn't eligible to return to major-league action until at least early June, and the Red Sox have been conservative in his rehab process so far.

Wells isn't expected to keep stretching out further than the five innings and 72 pitches he threw Wednesday against the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wells is part of the rotation this season after spending last year in a relief role, but the Orioles seemingly don't feel comfortable fully unleashing him as a starter. While he was able to reach five innings Wednesday, the given pitch count means he'll only be able to do that on days where he's particularly efficient. That will significantly hurt his chances of picking up wins, which further diminishes the fantasy appeal for a pitcher who's already fairly unexciting, as he owns a 5.54 ERA and a 17.5 percent strikeout rate through four starts.

Lodolo (back) is expected to return from the 10-day injured list next weekend against the Pirates, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Lodolo hit the injured list Thursday with a lower-back strain, but it looks as though he's on track to miss just one start. He was able to play catch Thursday and is expected to resume throwing off the mound again soon, possibly this weekend. He'll be eligible to make his return from the IL on May 6 and should be back on that date or a day or two afterward.

Lynn (knee) is progressing in his throwing program and could return by the end of May, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Lynn began a throwing program in mid-April, and manager Tony La Russa noted that the right-hander is making good progress after he completed a bullpen session Thursday. The 34-year-old likely still has several steps to clear before he begins a rehab assignment, but he has a chance to return to game action slightly sooner than the White Sox initially expected.

Houck (personal) will serve in a piggyback role behind Rich Hill during Friday's game against the Orioles, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Houck also served as a reliever Sunday against the Rays and struck out two in 1.2 perfect innings. While he'll pitch out of the bullpen once again Friday, it wouldn't be surprising to see him rejoin the rotation sometime next week. Houck remains on the restricted list ahead of the Red Sox's series finale in Toronto on Thursday, but he'll be officially reinstated Friday when the team returns to the United States.