MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) will return from the 15-day injured list Sunday and will start in the Astros' series finale against the White Sox in Chicago, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers will be taking the hill for the Astros for the first time since the 2022 World Series, after a prolonged recovery from June 2023 flexor tendon surgery kept him out of action for the entirety of the past two seasons. The right-hander was cleared to resume facing hitters in late February and steadily ramped up to close out spring training before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment March 30. Across four starts between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land, McCullers logged a 2.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 12.2 frames, including a five-inning scoreless appearance in his final outing Saturday. He built up to 71 pitches in that start, so McCullers could be operating with a slight workload restriction in his 2025 Astros debut. Houston may also be keen on building extra rest for McCullers between starts, so it wouldn't be surprising if the team expanded its rotation to six men for the next few weeks.

Kirby (shoulder) could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Sunday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Kirby threw a live batting practice session Monday and described it as "nasty," adding that he "felt great." He will throw again Sunday, and it will be determined soon whether that will be in an official game setting. Kirby has been slow-played as he works his way back from right shoulder inflammation but has been checking every box along the way.

Miller revealed after Tuesday's start versus the Angels that his back "locked up" on him pregame, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Miller did not sit down in between innings to avoid making the back issue worse. He successfully navigated through five scoreless frames in the outing, although he issued a season-high five walks. Miller also noted that he dealt with some arm soreness earlier this month, saying that it's been "one thing after another that hasn't been major, but just been nagging." The right-hander is scheduled to face the Athletics on Monday and it does not appear at this point that he's in any danger of missing that start.

Batista was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow Sunday and is expected to be sidelined 2-to-3 months, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander landed on the shelf at High-A Winston-Salem in early April and will be sidelined for at least the next couple months. Batista had a 3.40 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 87:33 K:BB across 84.2 innings at the Single-A level last year and made just one start this season before suffering the injury.

The Mariners will call up Thomas from Triple-A Tacoma prior to Wednesday's game versus the Angels, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Thomas has slashed .319/.363/.362with one home run and six stolen bases in his first 26 games with Tacoma this season. He could see some starts in right field while Luke Raley (side) is out and will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.

The Mariners will place Raley (side) on the 10-day injured list prior to Wednesday's game against the Angels, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Raley tweaked his side during batting practice pregame Tuesday, and the injury is evidently bad enough to require a trip to the IL. It's not yet clear how much time he might miss. Rhylan Thomas will take Raley's spot on the Mariners' roster.

Dubon is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brendan Rodgers will get the nod at second base Wednesday, but Dubon may have inched ahead of him on the depth chart. Dubon has started at the keystone in four of the last seven games, with Rodgers drawing two starts and Jose Altuve getting one during that stretch. Though the playing time has been tilting in his favor of late, Dubon still has some work to do before solidifying himself as an everyday player; he's slashing just .209/.261/.256 over 47 plate appearances on the season.

Dingler is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Dingler will get a breather for the Wednesday afternoon game after he had started behind the plate each of the previous three days. Tomas Nido will handle catching duties for the Tigers in the series finale.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Diaz started at catcher in each of the previous four contests, so he'll get a breather for Wednesday's matinee. Victor Caratini is behind the dish and batting fifth for the Astros.

Alvarez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Alvarez exited Monday's game with an undisclosed injury but was back in the lineup Tuesday, so this appears to simply be a routine day off. Jose Altuve is in the designated hitter spot Wednesday, while Zach Dezenzo will handle left field and bat eighth.