MLB Player News

Medina (knee) is scheduled to throw around 45 pitches Wednesday in a simulated game at extended spring training, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The upcoming sim game will likely represent the final hurdle for Medina to clear in his recovery from a Grade 2 MCL sprain before he heads out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment. With injuries mounting in the Oakland rotation, Medina should have a starting role with the big club waiting for him once he gets fully stretched out in the minors.

Wood has been sent back to Oakland to have his left shoulder evaluated, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Wood was dealing with shoulder soreness during his start in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Mariners, and the injury seems to be one that's been a problem for him for a while. A stint on the injured list would appear to be a distinct possibility for Wood, but the team is unlikely to make a decision on his status until his evaluation is completed. If Wood isn't able to take the hill for his next turn through the rotation this weekend in Kansas City, the Athletics would likely turn to Kyle Muller or Mitch Spence to start in his place.

Waldichuk will undergo left elbow surgery Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Waldichuk elected to have a more conservative procedure after being diagnosed with a UCL sprain and flexor strain last October, but he recently had a setback and will require another operation. The Athletics won't provide more details until Waldichuk's surgery is completed Wednesday, but the upcoming procedure promises to be more invasive and will likely prevent him from pitching this season.

Flexen and the White Sox won't play Monday against the Nationals after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Chicago, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Tuesday, with Flexen taking the mound for the first game. The 29-year-old right-hander has a 2-3 record over six starts this season with a 4.29 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 35.2 innings.

Eovaldi (groin) could be ready to throw off a mound this weekend, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

Eovaldi did some more flat-ground throwing Monday and might be ready to take the next step forward by getting back on a mound to toss a bullpen session. While he looks to be trending in the right direction, Eovaldi doesn't look as though he'll be ready to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Saturday. He's coming back from a strained right groin.

Francis (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Francis is slated for two innings and/or 40-to-45 pitches in the outing. While Francis looks like he'll be stretched back out as a starter on his rehab assignment, he appears more likely to fill a long-relief role once he returns from the 15-day injured list.

Rodriguez (back) threw a bullpen session Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He's slated for another bullpen session in the coming days and might be ready for a rehab assignment after that as he recovers from thoracic spine inflammation. Rodriguez had been starting for the Blue Jays before going on the 15-day injured list, but it's uncertain if he'll reclaim his rotation spot from Alek Manoah by the time he's activated.

The Tigers recalled Manning from Triple-A Toledo on Monday.

He'll start Monday against the Marlins and should be set for at least a couple of turns through the big-league rotation while Kenta Maeda (illness) is on the 15-day injured list. Manning has been solid during his time with the Tigers this season, putting up a 4.24 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 17 innings through his first three starts.

Urquidy (forearm) said Monday that his next rehab start on Saturday with Double-A Corpus Christi should be his final one before he returns from the 15-day injured list, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Urquidy threw 48 pitches and allowed three runs over 2.2 innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. He will get his pitch count up to 70 on Saturday, and if he fares well for Corpus Christi, Urquidy could slot back into Houston's six-man rotation as a potential replacement for either Hunter Brown or Spencer Arrighetti.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Whitlock (oblique) could return from the 15-day injured list if all goes well in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock has missed nearly a month with a left oblique strain, but the Red Sox apparently feel that he should be sufficiently built up after just the one rehab start. Cooper Criswell has performed well since joining Boston's rotation, but he could be headed to the bullpen or back to Worcester once Whitlock is activated.