MLB Player News

McClanahan (1-2) took the loss Sunday against the Pirates, allowing four runs on eight hits and no walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

While he did keep the ball in the yard Sunday, McClanahan was touched up for a season-high eight knocks and a season-worst four runs allowed. It was encouraging to see the left-hander throw a season-high 90 pitches, but he's still yet to work past the fifth inning in any of his first four starts of 2026. Although he boasts an excellent .191 opponent batting average over 18 frames so far this year, McClanahan will be looking to improve upon his 5.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 18:11 K:BB his next time out versus the Twins.

Sandoval (elbow) returned to Boston on Sunday to be re-evaluated after experiencing left biceps tightness coming out of his most recent rehab start, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Sandoval had been lined up to make his third rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, but he instead ended up being scratched after the biceps discomfort surfaced. The Red Sox are still gathering more information about the severity of Sandoval's setback, but even if the biceps injury proves to be a minor concern, it likely ends any chance the southpaw might have had at returning from the 15-day injured list before the end of April. After undergoing an internal brace surgery on his left elbow in June 2024, Sandoval was shaky for Worcester in his first game action in just under two years. Between his two rehab starts, Sandoval turned in a 8.44 ERA, 2.55 WHIP and 4:7 K:BB while also hitting three batters over 5.1 innings.

Keller (2-1) notched the win Sunday against the Rays, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out five.

It was perhaps a season-best performance by the right-hander, who recorded season-high figures in innings and strikeouts. Keller has done a fine job of providing length for the Pirates so far in 2026, tossing at least six innings in four of his five starts. He'll bring a strong 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB over his first 29 frames into his next outing, which is currently projected to come against the division-rival Brewers.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Javier (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until late May or early June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Hopefully it could be a little sooner."

Hunter Brown is facing a similar timeline for a return after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain April 5 before Javier went down with the exact same injury in his start three days later. Javier remains in the midst of a no-throw program and is expected to be re-evaluated later on during the upcoming week before the Astros decide on his next steps. Even if Javier gets the green light to start playing catch following his re-evaluation, he looks like he'll require at least a month to get fully stretched back out. A more definitive target date for Javier's return won't become clear until he's ready to head out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Brown (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until late May or early June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Hopefully it could be a little sooner."

Cristian Javier is facing a similar timeline for a return after both he and Brown sustained Grade 2 right shoulder strains within less than a week of one another. Shortly after Brown was diagnosed with the injury April 5, the Astros indicated that the right-hander would be shut down from throwing for two weeks before being re-evaluated, so he could be cleared to start playing light catch at some point in the coming days. Even so, Brown will be in line for a lengthy buildup, and a more definitive target date for his return won't become clear until he's ready to head out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Soto (calf) remains on track to return during the team's upcoming homestand, which runs April 21-30, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

It was previously reported that Soto was expected to be reinstated from the 10-day IL during the upcoming week, so a return during the first half of the homestand wouldn't be surprising. The 27-year-old appears set to rejoin the Mets without needing a minor-league rehab assignment after missing the past two-plus weeks due to a calf strain.

Wheeler (shoulder) struck out four and allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk across four innings Sunday in his rehab start with Double-A Reading.

After working 5.2 innings and posting a 9:0 K:BB in his previous appearance for Reading on Tuesday, Wheeler took a step back with his command and control Sunday. He spotted 48 of his 77 pitches for strikes and yielded a solo home run and a three-run blast, bringing his ERA up to 5.85 and his WHIP to 1.20 over his five rehab starts between Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Though his results haven't been as strong as the Phillies might have hoped, Wheeler has been able to progressively build up his pitch counts and looks ready to handle a typical starter's workload in his next outing, which is expected to come with the big club. Wheeler tentatively lines up to return from the 15-day injured list to make his 2026 Phillies debut during next weekend's series in Atlanta.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Sunday that Rookier (oblique) has resumed taking part in light baseball activities, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran slugger landed on the shelf April 10 due to an oblique strain, and he was shut down from baseball activities for a little more than a week. Rooker will travel with the Athletics on their road trip this week as he continues to ramp up his activity level.

Realmuto (back) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Realmuto's absence from the lineup for the series finale comes as little surprise after he was lifted from Saturday's 3-1 loss due to an aggravation of a back injury that initially cropped up Friday. According to Ty Daubert of PhilliesNation.com, manager Rob Thomson said that the Phillies are still evaluating Realmuto's injury, and the veteran backstop will be available off the bench Sunday only in an emergency. Rafael Marchan will draw the start behind the dish in place of Realmuto.

Walker will work in bulk relief behind an opener during his next turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Cubs, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The veteran right-hander has surrendered 19 earned runs across 18.1 frames in his first four starts of the season, so the Phillies will attempt to limit his exposure to the top of Chicago's lineup Wednesday. Regardless of his role, Walker will have minimal streaming appeal while going up against a Cubs offense that is averaging more than eight runs scored over the past six games. The Phillies are expected to get Zack Wheeler (shoulder) back from the injured list later next week, so Walker may not be in line for any starts or planned bulk-relief appearances for a while after Wednesday's outing.