MLB Player News

McHugh (arm) will need to make at least one more rehab start before joining the Astros after lasting just one inning in Thursday's outing for Triple-A Fresno, the Houston Chronicle's Jake Kaplan reports.

He allowed three runs on three hits and a walk and threw just 27 pitches, so he will need at least another start to build up his pitch count to the point that he would be able to slot into the Astros' rotation. This means Mike Fiers is likely safe for at least one more turn in the big-league rotation. If McHugh only needs one more rehab start, he would rejoin the Astros on April 18 against the Angels.

Kahnle has been summoned from Triple-A Charlotte to replace the injured Jake Petricka, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with a strained latissimus muscle, Scott Merkin of the White Sox's official site reports.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria was vague about Petricka's timeline, telling Merkin that he'd "be out for a bit," which suggests longer than the 10-day minimum. Kahnle made 29 appearances for the White Sox in 2016, striking out 25 over 27.1 innings. He posted a respectable 2.63 ERA despite allowing 41 baserunners (21 hits, 20 walks), largely due to an impeccable 84.6 percent strand rate.

Boxberger is dealing with a strain in his right flexor muscle and remains without a timetable for his return, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Contrary to what was reported earlier, Boxberger is actually being held back because of a right flexor strain and not the lat strain that had bothered him earlier in camp. He resumed a throwing program Wednesday, though he remains without a firm timetable for return. Given that the 28-year-old will need time to build up his arm, it seems likely he'll be out until at least sometime in May.

Covey will make his first start April 14 or 15 in Minnesota, Scott Merkin of the White Sox's official site reports.

Covey had been in line to start this weekend, but two rainouts this week negated the need for a fifth starter during the first rotation of the season. It now looks like Covey won't be a necessity until Friday or Saturday of next week. In the meantime, he'll stay fresh by pitching in a simulated game or be sent to Arizona for an extended spring training game this weekend.

Armstrong needed to retire just a single batter, which he accomplished via strikeout, to pick up the win Wednesday in Texas.

The quick outing gave the 26-year-old his first career MLB win. Armstrong won a bullpen job with a strong effort this spring, and although Wednesday was a nice feat, he'll likely contribute most of his innings in low-leverage situations this year.

Axford's MRI on Thursday revealed there was no damage beyond a shoulder strain, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Axford's MRI results yielded good news Thursday, though he'll refrain from throwing a baseball for the next week while he continues to recover. Santiago Casilla appears to be the early favorite to lead the A's in saves this season, with Ryan Madson, Sean Doolittle and Ryan Dull also in the mix.

Diaz fired two scoreless innings in Wednesday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to the Astros, giving up a hit and a walk while also recording two strikeouts.

The Mariners closer came on for the ninth and 10th innings, successfully preserving a 2-2 tie. The outing was Diaz's first of the season, as the Mariners had trailed in the late innings in the first two games of the series. The 23-year-old will be counted on to build on his impressive 18-save 2016 major-league debut, but with Seattle's offense generating a total of four runs in the first three games of the season, he's yet to have the opportunity.

Pomeranz (forearm) will start Tuesday against the Orioles, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports.

The Red Sox adjusted their rotation for the weekend series against the Tigers due to Thursday's rainout, which allowed them to give Pomeranz some extra time before his season debut. Pomeranz will get the nod at home against an Orioles team that teed him up for five runs over two innings in his lone start against them last season.

Pomeranz (forearm) will not pitch in Boston's upcoming weekend series against Detroit, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Red Sox's series finale against the Pirates was postponed Thursday, which allowed manager John Farrell to move Eduardo Rodriguez into the Saturday slot and push Rick Porcello and Chris Sale back by one day. With that, Pomeranz will have to wait until at least Tuesday to make his season debut.

Covey's potential start Saturday could be skipped after Wednesday's rainout, Scott Merkin of the White Sox's official site reports.

Two rainouts over the first three days have rejiggered Chicago's rotation so that Miguel Gonzalez will start Saturday. That leaves open the possibility of No. 1 starter Jose Quintana starting Sunday on regular rest. With a day off Monday, James Shields, Derek Holland and Gonzalez can throw on regular rest, which pushes Covey out until next weekend.