MLB Player News

Flaherty (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It appears to be the first time the right-hander has thrown off the mound since he landed on the injured list last week with a left peroneal strain. Flaherty is first eligible to return June 28, and he has a chance to make it back by then or shortly thereafter.

Torres (oblique) received a cortisone injection Friday and is expected to start up his rehab program in the next day or two, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The veteran second baseman was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to an oblique strain, and he won't waste much time before getting treatment. Torres was sidelined more than a month with the same injury earlier this season, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be out this time around.

Montero will start Sunday's game against the White Sox in Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Justin Verlander (hip/hamstring) had been slated to return from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game, but he encountered a setback. Montero made a relief appearance Tuesday versus the Astros, but his other 13 outings this season have been starts. He's collected a 3.67 ERA and 50:17 K:BB over 73.2 frames this season. Verlander is expected to miss multiple weeks, so Montero is likely to get multiple turns in the Detroit rotation.

Verlander (hip) has been scratched from a scheduled start Sunday versus the White Sox due to a left hamstring injury, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Verlander had been slated to return from a nearly three-month absence with left hip inflammation, but he encountered a setback with his hamstring during a bullpen session Wednesday. The Tigers expect the 43-year-old's recovery to last "a matter of weeks." Keider Montero will start for the Tigers on Sunday and is likely to make additional starts while Verlander recovers.

Cavalli was scratched from his scheduled start against the Rays on Friday due to an illness.

Cavalli was penciled in to start Friday's series opener but instead won't be available due to food poisoning, per Andrew Golden of TheBanner.com. The Nationals are hopeful Cavalli will be ready to start Saturday. PJ Poulin will start in Cavalli's place with Miles Mikolas set to follow in the bulk role.

The Royals optioned Black to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

The right-hander was called up by the Royals in late May and will return to Omaha after giving up seven runs with a 10:9 K:BB over 13 innings during this stint in the majors. Black's demotion clears roster space for Seth Lugo (concussion), who is starting Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Montgomery is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Detroit.

After starting eight straight games after his promotion, Montgomery is seeing his first day off. He went 4-for-9 with a home run and two doubles in his first two games, but Montgomery is just 2-for-22 with a 1:8 BB:K across his past six contests. He'll get a breather as the Tigers send ace Tarik Skubal to the mound. Junior Perez will play right field in Montgomery's stead.

The Royals reinstated Lugo (concussion) from the 7-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Cardinals.

The 36-year-old has been on the shelf for the past week after being struck in the head by a comebacker, but he'll quickly re-enter Kansas City's rotation. Lugo has a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 66:25 K:BB across 79.1 innings through 14 starts this season.

Johnston is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Pirates.

It's the second straight game that the left-handed hitter has been out of the lineup against a righty hurler, which is curious given that he's slashing .350/.416/.483 against righties this season. Jake McCarthy and Tyler Freeman will occupy the corner outfield spots for the Rockies, and Sterlin Thompson will be the designated hitter while Johnston remains absent from the starting nine.

The Rays activated DeLuca (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

DeLuca made a quick recovery from his right hamstring strain, as he made it back in less than a month after initially being assigned a 6-to-8 week timeline. The 27-year-old outfielder played four rehab games with Triple-A Durham, going 4-for-11 with a 4:2 BB:K. DeLuca could settle back in as Tampa Bay's primary right fielder.