MLB Player News

Manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Verlander's recovery from hip inflammation is "going a little slower than I think he anticipated or we anticipated," Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

"I think he's doing OK," Hinch continued. "I don't think he's necessarily taking a step forward, and he hasn't taken a step back. He had a bullpen yesterday that went OK. ... We're going to take it day by day." It sounds like Verlander is still dealing with discomfort in the left hip. He's made one start this season, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks with just one strikeout across 3.2 innings against the Diamondbacks on March 30. Keider Montero will continue to remain in the rotation for the time being.

Giants manager Tony Vitello indicated Thursday that Bailey could split catching duties with Daniel Susac moving forward, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey remains an elite defensive catcher, but he's a black hole offensively and has gotten off to a particularly rough start in 2026, slashing just .136/.191/.136. Meanwhile, Susac is 9-for-16 at the dish to open his career. Ultimately, there's a good chance neither of the Giants' top two catchers will do enough offensively to warrant being rostered outside of deep fantasy leagues.

Giants manager Tony Vitello indicated Thursday that Susac could start splitting starts at catcher with Patrick Bailey, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Susac has made only four starts so far this season, but he's gone 9-for-16 with five RBI in the early going. The Rule 5 pick is likely to get exposed to some degree with additional playing time, but he's earned more reps over Bailey, who is slashing just .136/.191/.136.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that McKinstry will undergo further testing on his injured hip, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

According to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, McKinstry is also dealing with an arm/shoulder issue and a scraped chest. McKinstry is "not moving around well" Thursday after he was pulled from Wednesday's game following a collision with Jac Caglianone. "We're going to continue to get him looked at," Hinch added. It sounds like McKinstry could be looking at a possible trip to the injured list. The utility man has not had a good start to the season at the plate, slashing .209/.261/.326 with one home run, five RBI, two runs scored and a 3:10 BB:K across 46 plate appearances. McKinstry posted a career-best .771 OPS last season and was named an All-Star.

The Nationals transferred Waldichuk (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Richard Lovelady. Waldichuk is likely headed for Tommy John surgery, though he will receive a second opinion before a final decision is made.

The Nationals acquired Lovelady from the Mets on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

Lovelady has gone back and forth between the two organizations multiple times since January. The southpaw holds a 3.68 ERA and 6:4 K:BB over 7.1 innings this season. He does not have minor-league options remaining, so Lovelady will go directly onto the Nationals' active roster.

Sanchez was assigned to Single-A Dunedin, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

It seemed initially that Sanchez was being held back for the Florida Complex League, but he will in fact join fellow phenom JoJo Parker in the Dunedin infield. Sanchez was one of the most feared hitters in the Dominican Summer League last year, slashing .341/.439/.565 with eight home runs and a 17.4 percent strikeout rate in 56 games.

Collins (knee) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's tilt in Detroit.

He'll miss a second straight start after suffering a right knee contusion in the first game of the series Tuesday. Collins is considered day-to-day. Michael Massey will play left field and bat eighth for the Royals.

Montgomery is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Montgomery wore the golden sombrero in Wednesday's loss to the Rays and sports a 33.8 percent strikeout rate on the season, so he'll take a day Thursday to regroup. Tanner Murray is at shortstop and batting sixth as the White Sox try to avoid being swept.

Wells is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels.

Wells was the catcher in each of the first three games of the series, so he'll get a breather in Thursday's finale. J.C. Escarra will be behind the plate and bat ninth for the Yankees.