MLB Player News

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.

Wells (head) went 2-for-5 with two homers and three RBI in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

This was Wells' second rehab game after he landed on the 10-day IL due to cervical headaches June 6. Given his performance Thursday, the backstop appears to be feeling much better. Per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that the team hasn't yet made a decision on when Wells will return to the big-league club, but that could happen at some point this weekend.

Smith parted ways with the Twins on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Smith had an opt-out clause in his minor-league deal and decided to exercise it after not being called up. In his first season back from a second Tommy John surgery, Smith has posted a 4.74 ERA and 19:9 K:BB across 24.2 innings of work with Triple-A St. Paul.

Strzelecki parted ways with the Yankees on Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Strzelecki exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract and is now a free agent. The 31-year-old reliever has collected a 4.81 ERA and 29:5 K:BB over 24.1 frames at the Triple-A level this season. He has not pitched in the majors since 2024.