MLB Player News

Rodriguez (shoulder) said Tuesday that he hopes to begin throwing from a mound within the next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation and "dead arm" since mid-March. He's been throwing up to 150 feet and stated Tuesday that he thinks he'll be ready to toss a bullpen session within the next week. Even if he's able to do so, the right-handed hurler is probably still multiple weeks away from a return, but he does seem to be making progress. "The arm is definitely getting strong quick," Rodriguez said Tuesday. "When I feel like I'm ready to throw the ball as hard as I want to throw it, that'll let me know. But with how I've been progressing the last week to two weeks, it's really given me a lot of confidence."

The Blue Jays confirmed Scherzer (forearm) as their starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the Twins in Toronto, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Toronto received some rare good news for its injury-ravaged rotation, as Scherzer looks like he won't end up missing a turn after he had been contending with right forearm tendinitis leading up to his most recent start in Monday's loss to the Dodgers. Though Scherzer was removed when the injury flared up after he pitched just two innings, he's apparently responded well to treatment over the last couple of days. Barring a setback coming out of his between-starts bullpen session Friday, Scherzer should be able to handle a relatively standard workload Sunday.

Yates (knee) threw 26 pitches to hitters Tuesday and could next begin a minor-league rehab stint, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Yates said his body "felt good" during the session but acknowledged that his legs aren't quite up to speed yet. "The hard part is, I didn't get a chance to do anything with my legs for 12-to-13 days. So we're trying to play catch-up with that. The legs aren't as fresh as I'd probably like them to be. But, overall, I think it was good," Yates said after throwing. Manager Kurt Suzuki echoed that sentiment, saying, "I thought he looked fine. Obviously, first time in a while throwing to hitters, so it's going to take time. Build his stamina, his legs back up, get his legs under him again... But hopefully we'll see him sooner than later." Yates said he's hoping his next step will be a rehab assignment with a minor-league squad but stated that he's going to talk that over with coaches and trainers Wednesday.

Gutierrez will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a torn ACL, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Gutierrez suffered the injury in an outfield collision during the season opener with High-A Hub City. The 21-year-old slashed .258/.333/.320 with two home runs and 48 stolen bases for Hub City in 2025.

Cruz (1-0) earned the win over the Athletics on Tuesday, walking two batters and striking out one over 1.1 hitless and scoreless innings.

Cruz threw only 10 of 20 pitches for strikes and walked two batters in the eighth inning, but he fanned Max Muncy to get out of that frame unscathed. The righty reliever moved in line for the victory when New York struck for four runs in the bottom of the eighth. Cruz has been working in a setup role in front of closer David Bednar and has recorded three holds through six appearances. He's pitched 4.2 frames, allowing one run while posting a 7:4 K:BB.

Avila is available to pitch out of the Royals' bullpen beginning Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Avila struggled in a spot start Saturday versus the Brewers, yielding five runs on eight hits and three walks in three innings. There's no longer a need for him in the rotation, but with the Royals' bullpen a bit short-handed, Avila will help out in relief for now rather than rejoin the rotation at Triple-A Omaha.

The Mariners transferred Vargas (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The transaction will clear a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe, who was called up from Triple-A Tacoma. Vargas has been out all season while recuperating from a right lat strain and now won't be eligible to return until late May. It's not clear whether Vargas has resumed throwing or remains shut down.

The Mariners placed Robles on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a right pectoral strain.

Robles had served as Seattle's fourth outfielder to begin the season, starting in four of the team's first 12 games while going 3-for-13 with a double, a stolen base and an RBI. According to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, Robles suffered the pec injury while making longer throws to the bases from the outfield as he was warming up prior to Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers. Seattle called up Connor Joe from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move to provide the bench with another right-handed-hitting option while Robles is on the shelf.

The Mariners selected Joe's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

He'll assume the roster spot vacated by Victor Robles (pectoral), who landed on the 10-day injured list. The right-handed-hitting Joe has a solid .247/.344/.401 career batting line versus left-handed pitching and should see some playing time versus southpaws with the Mariners.

The Rays recalled Scholtens from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Scholtens will give the club an extra bullpen arm while Drew Rasmussen is away on paternity leave. The 32-year-old Scholtens got into two games for the Rays last season, allowing seven runs (five earned) over 8.1 innings but also notching 12 strikeouts.