MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Effross (back) is close to facing hitters again, MLB.com reports.

Effross' last appearance in affiliated ball came Oct. 3, 2022, with the right-handed reliever requiring Tommy John surgery later that month. Though he's fully healed from the elbow surgery, Effross experienced back discomfort last fall and ultimately required a microdiscectomy of his L-4 and L-5 vertabrae. Effross was held back in spring training while he completed his recovery from back surgery, but he seems to have resumed throwing bullpen sessions without issue and should soon take the mound against live hitters. The Yankees are hopeful that Effross will be ready to return from the 60-day injured list at some point during the summer.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Liberatore will start Monday's series opener against the Angels in Anaheim, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

After he had worked out of the bullpen all season, Liberatore was on a limited pitch count when he was called upon to take over the injured Steven Matz's (back) spot in the rotation last Sunday versus the White Sox. Liberatore struck out five and allowed one earned run over 3.2 innings in a no-decision against Chicago before shifting back to the bullpen for this weekend's series in Milwaukee. He recorded just one out while allowing two earned runs in Friday's 11-2 loss, so Liberatore will be taking the hill on two days' rest Monday. Expect Liberatore to once again operate on a pitch limit, making him an unappealing streaming target.

Clarke (knee) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Nashville, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Clarke is ready for his first game action of the regular season after he suffered a meniscus injury late in spring training that ultimately required surgery. The right-hander has seemingly avoided any snags in the recovery process, prompting the Brewers to clear him for what will likely be a lengthy rehab assignment as he looks to build back up following the prolonged shutdown. The reliever is targeting a return from the 15-day injured list in late May.

The Marlins optioned Soriano to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

Soriano was recalled by Miami on Tuesday to add some bullpen depth. He appeared in two games following his call-up, giving up four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four over 4.2 frames.

The Marlins transferred Chargois (neck) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Chargois began the season on the 15-day IL due to neck spasms that kept him out of action during spring training. He made three rehab appearances with Triple-A Jacksonville, but he suffered a setback and hasn't pitched in the minors since April 26. It's unclear when the Marlins anticipate Chargois will be ready to make his 2024 MLB debut, but as a result of his move to the 60-day IL, he won't be eligible for activation until late May.

The Cubs optioned Cuas to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Cuas' stay with the big club lasted just one day, with the Cubs sending him back to Triple-A to clear room on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Kyle Hendricks (back), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Sunday in Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old righty covered two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 10-9 loss to the Pirates, striking out two while giving up one hit and one walk.

Robertson (2-1) had a blown save and was the losing pitcher in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Rockies. The reliever failed to record an out and was charged with four runs on two hits, a walk and a hit batter.

The usually reliable Robertson entered with the Rangers holding a 3-2 lead, a runner on second base and two outs. As rain began to fall, he yielded a run-scoring single to the first batter he faced. After a wild pitch, another RBI single, a hit batsman and a walk, Robertson was removed with the bases loaded. The right-hander, who entered the game with a 0.87 ERA, threw just 11 strikes among 22 pitches.

The Red Sox optioned Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Sean McAdam of The Springfield Republican reported after Saturday's 4-2 win over the Nationals that Winckowski was headed back to Triple-A, but the Red Sox didn't make the right-hander's demotion official until Sunday, when right-hander Brayan Bello (lat) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over 12 appearances (three starts) for Boston this season, Winckowski holds a 3.33 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB across 24.1 innings. According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, manager Alex Cora said that Winckowski will join the rotation at Worcester.

Urena will start Sunday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field.

He'll make his second straight turn through the rotation after picking up a win in Tuesday's 15-8 victory over the Athletics while holding Oakland to two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over five innings. The Rangers should have starting roles available for both Urena and Jack Leiter until the team gets one of Nathan Eovaldi (groin), Max Scherzer (back) or Dane Dunning (shoulder) back from the injured list.

Blach is slated to start Sunday's game against the Rangers at Coors Field.

Blach will pick up his second start of the season as he joins the rotation as a replacement for Peter Lambert, who was recently moved to the bullpen. The veteran southpaw had worked in relief in both of his past two appearances for Colorado, but because he handled four- and three-inning workloads in those outings, he should be reasonably stretched out as he re-enters the rotation.