MLB Player News

Abel will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays in Toronto, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

In his MLB debut May 18 versus the Pirates, Abel dazzled with nine strikeouts over six shutout frames, but he was sent back to Lehigh Valley immediately afterward while the Phillies turned to veteran Taijuan Walker to replace the injured Aaron Nola (ankle). With Walker underwhelming in two starts, the Phillies have decided to move him to a bullpen role, opening a spot in the rotation for Abel. He won't necessarily be in store for a long-term stay in the big leagues, as Nola could begin a rehab assignment next week before returning from the injured list by the second week of June.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Walker will move back to the bullpen this week, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports. "I want to see him in a one-inning stint and see what he can do," Thomson said of Walker.

Though Aaron Nola (ankle) won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list the next time a fifth starter is needed Thursday in Toronto, the Phillies will instead call up Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the void. Walker, who was roughed up for four earned runs in four innings against Milwaukee this past Friday, isn't expected to be available out of the bullpen until Tuesday or Wednesday coming off the 89-pitch start. Once he's ready to go, Thomson plans to give the right-hander a trial as a high-leverage reliever, perhaps as a setup man in front of closer Jordan Romano. The manager is optimistic that the shift in role could revive Walker's career, as the 32-year-old has largely disappointed as a starter since signing a four-year, $72 million deal with Philadelphia following the 2022 season.

Rocker (shoulder) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Rays, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander seemed likely require at least one additional rehab outing after throwing 53 pitches over four scoreless innings Thursday for Triple-A Round Rock, but he'll instead rejoin the Rangers with Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) placed on the injured list Sunday. Rocker figures to have some workload limitations in his first start back in the majors, but he pitched well in his two rehab outings with an 8:1 K:BB across seven shutout innings.

The Rangers placed Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right posterior elbow inflammation.

Eovaldi experienced right triceps fatigue coming out of his most recent outing Tuesday, but the Rangers were initially optimistic that he would avoid a stint on the IL after getting a few extra days of rest between starts. The right-hander told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com earlier Sunday that he was feeling good after playing catch and hoped to return to the mound Wednesday or Thursday versus the Rays, but the Rangers' brass evidently felt it was better to give him some additional time off. Per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News, general manager Chris Young reiterated that Eovaldi has nothing structurally wrong with his arm, and the Rangers believe that he'll be able to return from the IL around when he's first eligible June 13. The Rangers will replace Eovaldi in the rotation with Kumar Rocker (shoulder), who will be activated from the IL to start Wednesday.

The Blue Jays optioned Lucas to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

The left-hander followed opener Braydon Fisher against the A's on Saturday and picked up the win after firing 4.2 scoreless innings, but he won't stick in the majors with Erik Swanson (forearm) returning from the injured list Sunday. Lucas has been boom-or-bust in his five MLB appearances this season, as he's covered 15 frames in three scoreless outings but has surrendered 14 runs in his other two starts.

Crawford (knee) is expected to begin a rehab assignment this week, MLB.com reports.

Crawford, who threw a four-inning live batting practice session Saturday, will move on to a multi-start rehab assignment. He could be back by mid-June -- with Tanner Houck (elbow) right behind him -- at which point the Red Sox will have some decisions to make. Existing rotation members Brayan Bello (6.11 ERA in last four starts) and Lucas Giolito (4.78 in six starts) may be in danger of losing their jobs, while Richard Fitts just came off the IL himself.

The Brewers activated Quintana (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

The veteran left-hander is rejoining Milwaukee's rotation Sunday after missing the past three weeks due to a shoulder impingement. Quintana threw 71 pitches across four innings during his lone rehab outing, so he could face some minor workload limitations in his first start back with the Brewers.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch suggested that Skubal is likely to get an extra day of rest ahead of his next start, which is expected to come Friday against the Cubs in Detroit, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Skubal had been lined up to start Thursday's series finale versus the White Sox, but he's started on four days' rest in just three of his first 12 outings, and at this stage of the season, the Tigers want to be cognizant about not overworking their staff ace when they don't have to. By pushing Skubal back a day, the Tigers will also be able to shield one of their bottom-of-rotation arms from a fearsome Cubs offense that has produced a 120 wRC+ on the season, good for third in the majors. Though Skubal will be missing out on a favorable matchup with the 18-40 White Sox, fantasy managers will still want to keep him in lineups this week, as the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has been dominant even against formidable competition this season.

Bieber (elbow) allowed one hit and no walks while striking out five over 2.1 scoreless innings Saturday in a rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Bieber made the first of what's expected to be several rehab starts while he works his way back from April 2024 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander will be evaluated following Saturday's outing and could move up to a higher-level minor league affiliate. Bieber will likely need close to the full 30-day rehab window to get ramped up and isn't expected to be ready to make his 2025 debut for the Guardians until late June or early July.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is likely to return to the rotation this week, Nick Piecoro and Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic report.

The Diamondbacks haven't announced plans for the left-hander, but Rodriguez threw 4.2 innings during a rehab start Friday in the Arizona Complex League. After Ryne Nelson was needed for four relief innings Saturday, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo confirmed the righty would be returned to the bullpen instead of making a scheduled start Tuesday, per Arizona Sports. Rodriguez could be set to return Friday in Cincinnati, as Arizona has already mapped out its pitching plans for a three-game set in Atlanta to begin the week, per Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona.