MLB Player News

The Astros are optioning France to Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of their trip to Mexico City on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

France is being optioned to clear a spot for Framber Valdez, who will start Sunday. In France's last outing Tuesday, he took the loss while allowing five runs on five hits and four walks over five innings against the Cubs. The 29-year-old has now given up multiple home runs in consecutive starts. The move prompts questions about how the Astros rotation lines up going forward.

McKenzie did not factor into the decision Thursday against Boston, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out seven.

McKenzie had to deal with traffic throughout Thursday's outing, though he was ultimately able to mitigate the damage thanks to a season-high seven strikeouts. He'd fail to qualify for a win, however, only making it through four innings after throwing 75 pitches, as Cleveland continues to monitor the 26-year-old's workload after he made just four starts in an injury-plagued 2023 campaign. Overall, McKenzie is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 18:17 K:BB through four starts (22 innings) this season.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Manoah (shoulder) is likely to make another rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manoah was roughed up for six runs on seven hits and four walks over three innings in his latest start with Buffalo on Wednesday. Three of his four rehab outings have been poor, and overall batters have hit .406/.474/.703 off Manoah. He does not appear close to being ready to help out the major-league club. Per Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic, Manoah's 30-day rehab assignment runs out May 6, although if the club doesn't feel he's ready to join the MLB rotation at that point, he could still be activated from the IL and optioned back to Triple-A.

Scherzer (back) is scheduled to make his next rehab start Tuesday with Double-A Frisco, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer will look to push up his pitch count in his second rehab outing after he struck out four over 2.1 innings (52 pitches) while allowing three earned runs on five hits and no walks in his 2024 debut Wednesday with Triple-A Round Rock. Since Scherzer missed all of spring training while completing his recovery from Dec. 15 surgery to address a herniated disc in his back, he could require an additional rehab start after Tuesday to get fully stretched out. The right-hander looks on track to return from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut for the Rangers in early May.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Valdez (elbow) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Rockies in Mexico City, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Valdez has been on the IL since April 9 due to inflammation in his left elbow. He built up to 40 pitches in his last bullpen session Wednesday, so his first start back from the injured list will likely be an abbreviated one. In any case, his return will still give Houston's rotation a much-needed boost following the recent move of Cristian Javier (neck) to the IL. Valdez surrendered three earned runs and struck out 10 batters over 12.1 innings across his first two starts before getting injured. Given Valdez's expected workload restriction Sunday in addition to the high altitude in Mexico City likely creating a hitter-friendly environment, fantasy managers may want to hold off on immediately activating the southpaw.

The Royals placed Marsh on the 15-day injured Thursday with a right elbow contusion.

Marsh departed early in his start in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Toronto after being struck in the right elbow by a comebacker. X-rays came back negative on Marsh's elbow, and though he sustained nothing more than a bruise, the Royals decided it was best to shut him down for the next 15 days. The Royals called up Will Klein from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday to give the bullpen a fresh arm in the short term, but it's not immediately clear who will replace Marsh in the rotation.

The Blue Jays placed Francis on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right forearm extensor tendinitis.

Since making his last start April 7, Francis has made his subsequent three appearances as a piggyback reliever behind starter Yariel Rodriguez. Francis scooped up wins in 2.1- and two-inning outings April 13 and 19, but he didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Royals after tossing two scoreless frames once Rodriguez exited the contest. Though he didn't appear to be nursing any sort of injury during the relief outing, Francis was apparently diagnosed with the forearm issue when he was evaluated afterward. He won't be eligible to rejoin Toronto until May 10 after landing on the IL.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Pivetta (elbow) will make at least one rehab start before rejoining the rotation, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The initial hope was that Pivetta could return from a right elbow flexor strain following a minimum stint on the injured list. That hasn't happened, as he's already missed more than 15 days. However, the right-hander has resumed throwing off a mound and is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at Fenway Park on Saturday. If all goes well, Pivetta could make his rehab start late next week before potentially returning from the IL in the second week of May.

Clevinger will make a rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday against Lehigh Valley, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Clevinger will be making his first start with a minor-league affiliate, as he has been pitching in extended spring training games after re-signing with the White Sox on a one-year deal April 2. Manager Pedro Grifol said Thursday that Clevinger will throw four innings and/or 60 pitches in his first start with Charlotte and then progress to five innings and/or 75 pitches in his next outing. Clevinger could be ready to join the White Sox's rotation after that, setting him up for his season debut as soon as May 5 in St. Louis.

The Twins recalled Woods Richardson from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

He will start Thursday's game against the White Sox, and with Louie Varland back in the minors, Woods Richardson will have an opportunity to stick in the Twins rotation for a while. The right-hander spun six innings of one-run ball against the Tigers on April 13, but a 6.08 ERA across 13.1 innings in three starts with St. Paul this season suggests that fantasy managers should exercise caution with him.