MLB Player News

Lavender (elbow) is scheduled to throw his first true bullpen session of the season Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Working his way back from the internal brace procedure he underwent on his left elbow last May, Lavender said he had felt "unreal" during his recent throwing sessions before he completed what he described as a "short" bullpen session last weekend. The southpaw is now in line to throw a more traditional side session Tuesday, and he'll likely steadily increase the volume and intensity of his throwing in the weeks to come. Lavender will eventually advance to facing hitters in live batting practice and simulated games before heading out on an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The Rule 5 selection could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list and make his MLB debut with the Rays at some point in June or July.

Kelly (glute) could begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week, MLB.com reports.

Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list April 11 due to a left gluteal strain, but he had resumed playing catch in recent weeks and had hoped to begin throwing off a mound last Wednesday. The Rays haven't confirmed if Kelly was in fact able to start throwing bullpen sessions, but the right-handed reliever still seemingly has a chance at being ready to return from the IL before the end of the month. Prior to being shut down with the injury, Kelly struck out two batters and gave up two earned runs on two hits and two walks in five innings over his five relief appearances.

Taylor will make some appearances out of the bullpen for Double-A Birmingham as means to manage his workload, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox still plan to develop Taylor as a starting pitcher, but they will be careful with his workload after he missed all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery and most of 2024 with a lat injury. Taylor has made six starts with Birmingham this season, posting a 1.56 ERA and 19:10 K:BB over 17.1 frames.

The White Sox transferred Scholtens' (elbow) rehab assignment from High-A Winston-Salem to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

On the mend from the Tommy John surgery he underwent March 1, 2024, Scholtens kicked off his rehab assignment with Winston-Salem on May 6. He made his second appearance for the affiliate Sunday, covering four innings and striking out three batters while giving up one earned run on four hits and one walk. The right-hander will continue to build up his innings and pitch counts as he heads to Charlotte, where he's expected to make his third rehab start later this week. The White Sox will likely keep Scholtens in the minors for close to the entirety of his 30-day rehab window, but once activated in late May or early June, he could be in the mix for a spot in the big-league rotation.

Bigge (lat) recently resumed a throwing program, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bigge is just a week removed from landing on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain, so it's a good sign that he's already throwing. The reliever will continue to ramp up before likely making a rehab appearance or two prior to being activated. Bigge is eligible for activation May 18, but he will need a bit more time than that.

Lee struck out both batters he faced Monday to record his sixth hold of the season in a 4-3 win over the Nationals.

The southpaw fanned Josh Bell and Dylan Crews to close out the seventh inning and protect a 3-1 lead. Raisel Iglesias blew his third save of the season in the ninth however, and if the veteran closer's recent struggles cause him to be removed from ninth-inning duties, Lee and right-hander Pierce Johnson would appear to be the top options to handle save situations in his place. Through 16.2 innings over 18 appearances this season, Lee sports a 2.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB.

Iglesias (3-3) blew the save but picked up the win Monday in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk in an inning of relief. He struck out one.

The beleaguered closer had another rough night as he coughed up a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, although Atlanta walked it off in the bottom of the frame. A Nick Allen error didn't help, but Iglesias has been tagged for eight hits and five runs (four earned) over his last three appearances, leaving him with an alarming 6.06 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through 16.1 innings despite a 19:4 K:BB. He's converted just six of nine saves chances, and his average fastball velocity has slipped to 94.7 mph, his lowest mark since 2016. Pierce Johnson (2.45 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 17:4 K:BB through 14.2 IP) and Dylan Lee (2.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 18:6 K:BB in 16.2 IP) both appear capable of stepping up in save situations if Atlanta decided to move Iglesias into a lower-leverage role while he sorts things out.

Suarez (0-1) allowed five runs on a hit and four walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save in Monday's 9-5 loss to the Angels.

Suarez had been one of the most dominant closers in the majors prior to this outing. He threw just 16 of 33 pitches for strikes in the laborious outing, which saw him strike out the leadoff batter before allowing a hit and four straight walks. That left the bases loaded, and Alek Jacob gave up a grand slam to Taylor Ward to complete the Padres' bullpen collapse. Even with a five-run meltdown on his line, Suarez still has a 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB over 18 innings this season. He's also 15-for-16 in save chances. His status as San Diego's closer won't be called into question after just one bad outing.

Okert allowed one hit with no walks and no strikeouts across two scoreless innings Monday against the Royals.

Monday's outing was Okert's 17th of the season and his 15th scoreless appearance. He's backed that up with an excellent 24:3 K:BB across 22 innings. Despite his success, Okert hasn't typically been used in high-leverage spots and has only two holds on the campaign.

Miller struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Monday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Closing opportunities are up for grabs in Arizona's bullpen, and Miller may be best positioned to take advantage in the short term. While he blew a save May 4 versus the Phillies, he's kept runs off the board in his other four outings in May. He's also been scored upon in just two of 17 appearances so far. Miller's at a 1.02 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB across 17.2 innings while adding two saves and six holds. His overall success will keep him in the late-inning mix, and he'll have some chances for saves while Justin Martinez (shoulder) works his way back.