MLB Player News

Springs (elbow) exited Saturday's rehab start with the Florida Complex League Rays due to left shoulder tightness, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Springs allowed a hit to the only batter he faced before departing. It's possible this is just some typical tightness/soreness pitchers experience at the beginning of spring training, which is essentially the stage of the rehab process Springs is in right now. However, anytime the shoulder is involved, there has to be some level of concern. The Rays could offer more on the southpaw's status soon.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that there's a chance Cole (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment as soon as the upcoming week, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Cole threw a live batting practice session Saturday without issue, marking the second time he's faced hitters since he resumed a throwing program. According to Erik Boland of Newsday, Cole utilized all of his pitches in the simulated game and reached 95 miles per hour on his fastball, a velocity limit the Yankees had imposed on him prior to the throwing session as a matter of precaution. Cole could be asked to throw another live BP, but beginning a rehab assignment also appears to be on the table. Cole will need multiple rehab starts before returning from the injured list and joining the Yankees rotation, so he's still a few weeks away from making his 2024 debut with the big club.

Lorenzen left his start Saturday versus the Twins due to cramping in his knee, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Lorenzen attempted to pitch through his cramping, but the skipper didn't want to risk another injury to an already-depleted Rangers rotation. Lorenzen finished with one earned run allowed on three hits and three walks while striking out four batters over six innings of work. Given his willingness to play through his injury, there's a good chance he will make his next start -- tentatively scheduled for next Saturday against the Marlins -- though the Rangers will keep an eye on his knee.

Olson (1-5) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Blue Jays, allowing just an unearned run on three hits and three walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out four.

Kerry Carpenter launched a two-run homer in the first inning, and it proved to be all the offense that Olson and the Tigers' bullpen would need. The right-hander generated 30 called or swinging strikes among his 93 pitches, and while the win was his first of the season, the quality start was his fifth in 10 outings. Olson will take a 1.92 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB through 56.1 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Boston.

Berrios (5-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits over seven innings as the Blue Jays fell 2-1 to the Tigers. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander was sharp, generating 28 called or swinging strikes among an efficient 83 pitches, but a two-run homer by Kerry Carpenter in the first inning proved to be the difference as Toronto's bats had little success against Reese Olson. The quality start was the third straight for Berrios and his ninth in 11 outings this season, and he'll take a 2.94 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 53:18 K:BB through 67.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Pirates.

Lorenzen was removed from Saturday's game against the Twins due to an apparent injury, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Lorenzen took the mound in preparation to begin the seventh inning, but he was visited by a trainer before exiting the game. He did a good amount of walking around the mound, suggesting that he may have tweaked something in one of his legs, though the Rangers should provide an official update on his injury status in the near future.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Urquidy (forearm) is scheduled to meet with a doctor later Saturday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Urquidy is getting examined after he experienced discomfort in his right forearm during his latest rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday. The right-hander had looked to be on track to return from the 15-day injured list during the upcoming week, but that no longer appears likely in light of the setback.

Whitlock said Saturday that he is expecting to undergo an internal brace procedure for his right elbow, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Whitlock is set to meet with Dr. Jeff Dugas on Wednesday, the same surgeon who performed Tommy John surgery on the right-hander in 2019, per McCaffery. Whitlock appears optimistic that he'll avoid another Tommy John surgery and will be able to make a full recovery ahead of the 2025 season, but official word on his type of surgery won't be known until after he meets with Dr. Dugas on Wednesday. Whitlock made four starts for the Red Sox before landing on the 15-day injured list April 17 with a left oblique strain, and the 27-year-old was later pulled off his rehab assignment after sustaining damage to the UCL in his right elbow.

The Athletics placed Stripling on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a strained right elbow.

Stripling is coming off a disastrous outing against the Astros on Friday, during which he allowed six runs on eight hits while striking out three over 3.2 innings to take the loss. The veteran right-hander is 1-9 over 11 starts this season with a 5.82 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB over 55.2 innings. The severity of Stripling's elbow strain is not yet clear, but he will be on the shelf until at least June 9. The Athletics selected the contract of left-hander Jack O'Loughlin from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move, and the southpaw is a candidate to enter Oakland's rotation with eight starts in the minors under his belt this season. Kyle Muller started in 13 games for the Athletics last season, and he could also see some time in the rotation with Stripling sidelined.

Lewis (shoulder) gave up one run in two innings with three strikeouts and one walk Friday during his first rehab outing with the FCL Twins.

Lewis was one of the top lower-level arms in the Twins organization in 2023, as he compiled a 2.49 ERA and 118:33 K:BB in 101.1 innings between Single-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids. He had not pitched this season prior to Friday due to a right shoulder impingement. He'll likely move to Double-A Wichita when he finishes his rehab assignment.