MLB Player News

Madden is no longer lined up to start Sunday's contest against the Mariners, with the Tigers listing Jack Flaherty as their probable starter for that game, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Madden returned from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's series opener versus the Rays, working 3.1 innings and striking out four while allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks in a no-decision. Flaherty ended up starting Tuesday's contest, but he'll now move ahead of Madden in the pitching schedule after securing his first win of the season while spinning five shutout innings in Detroit's 8-0 victory. The Tigers haven't clarified what Madden's role might be look like moving forward, but he may soon be headed to the bullpen or to Triple-A Toledo while the Detroit rotation is set to get some reinforcements in the near future. Justin Verlander (hip) threw five shutout innings in a rehab start Tuesday for Toledo and could be activated from the 60-day injured list next week, while Tarik Skubal (elbow) could be cleared to head out on a rehab assignment as soon as Saturday.

Matz (4-3) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up five runs on six hits over 1.2 innings as the Rays were routed 8-0 by the Tigers. He struck out two without walking a batter.

Gleyber Torres led off the game with a solo shot before Wenceel Perez added a two-run blast in the second, helping to chase Matz from the game after only 53 pitches (35 strikes). The southpaw's been tagged for 11 runs in his last two outings, ballooning his ERA from 3.70 to 5.48, and he hasn't won a game since late April. With Jesse Scholtens (wrist) on the IL and Joe Boyle still struggling to find his form at Triple-A Durham, however, Tampa Bay may have to stick with Matz in the rotation a little while longer. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Red Sox.

Flaherty (1-7) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing five hits and two walks over five scoreless innings in an 8-0 rout of the Rays. He struck out six.

The veteran right-hander got lifted after 94 pitches (56 strikes), falling short of his second quality start of 2026, but he finally collected his first win after getting stuck with the loss in his five prior trips to the mound. Flaherty has a 4.71 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 28.2 innings since the beginning of May, but his 38:7 K:BB over that stretch offers some hope he'll be able to turn a tough season around. He'll look to build on this effort in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Mariners.

Acuna went 2-for-3 with one walk, three stolen bases and two runs scored in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.

It was just Acuna's ninth start since the beginning of May. He made noise on the bases Tuesday, generating Chicago's first run on his own. After a leadoff walk in the third inning, Acuna stole second and third before scoring when Alex Jackson threw the ball into left field on the second swiped bag. Acuna showed what he can do when he gets on base, but getting on base has been the problem for him this season. Acuna is slashing a miserable .179/.233/.189 with one extra-base hit, five RBI, 12 runs scored, 11 stolen bases and a 7:21 BB:K across 117 plate appearances.

Estrada (shoulder) yielded one run on three walks over 2.1 innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

Estrada didn't give up a hit in the outing and fanned three batters, but he yielded a run on three walks and a sacrifice fly. The right-hander was making his first appearance in two months, as he's been dealing with a right shoulder impingement. Estrada will likely need at least a couple more rehab outings, and he could remain at Buffalo rather than join the big club when he's done with his rehab assignment.

Martin (8-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Twins, allowing six runs on 10 hits and three walks with two strikeouts across 4.2 innings.

After Martin dazzled against the Twins last week, yielding just one run on two hits with five strikeouts over six innings, Minnesota got the better of the right-hander Tuesday. The 10 hits and six runs allowed were both season highs for Martin, as he generated just eight whiffs on 92 pitches en route to a season-low two strikeouts. With the rough outing, Martin's ERA jumped to 2.61 with a 73:17 K:BB across 72.1 innings this season. He'll try to get back on track next week at home against Atlanta.

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

Englert will provide the Rays' weary bullpen with a fresh arm heading into Wednesday's game against the Tigers, after Tampa Bay needed relievers to cover 12.2 innings between the first two contests of the series. Before being demoted May 9, the 26-year-old righty made a 3.1-inning bulk-relief appearance in his last outing with the Rays, and he had since settled into a starting role with Durham. Over his three starts prior to his call-up, Englert posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB in 15.1 innings.

The Rays optioned Martin to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Martin yielded two earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out a batter in a three-inning, 43-pitch relief appearance in Monday's 10-9 loss to the Tigers. As a result of the hefty workload, Martin wasn't available for Tuesday's game and likely wasn't going to be an option for Wednesday's series finale, either. The Rays will swap him off the active roster for a fresh arm in Mason Englert, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Gray went 2-for-4 with two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the White Sox.

Gray scored on a Brooks Lee sac fly in the third inning before he drove home a pair on an RBI single in the fourth while also swiping his second base of the season. Over his last six games, Gray is 7-for-20 (.350) with one homer, 11 RBI, four runs scored and both of his stolen bases for the season. He's slashing .248/.297/.396 with four home runs, 25 RBI, 13 runs scored and a 7:34 BB:K across 112 plate appearances in 2026.

Verlander (hip) struck out three over five scoreless innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

Verlander induced 10 whiffs on 64 pitches and averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seamer, which is right in line with his velocity from 2025. The 43-year-old's next appearance could come with the Tigers, though the team hasn't yet confirmed as much. Verlander has been sidelined since early April left hip inflammation.