MLB Player News

Arrighetti will start Wednesday against the Cubs, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He's taking over the rotation spot vacated by Cristian Javier (neck), who was placed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend. The Astros have a couple off days over the next week, and Javier could be back shortly after that, so Arrighetti may just be in line for a spot start. The rookie was bludgeoned for seven runs over three innings in his major-league debut earlier this month in Kansas City but was better in his second start April 15, holding Atlanta to two runs over four frames.

Bradley (pectoral) is expected to pitch four innings in an extended spring training game early this week before potentially beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

After covering three innings in a simulated game last Wednesday, Bradley appears to have recovered from the right pectoral strain that forced him to the injured list March 26, but he still needs time to rebuild his stamina and increase his pitch count following a month-long layoff to begin the season. A target date for his season debut with the Rays should come into focus once he heads out on a rehab assignment, but he tentatively looks on track to return from the 15-day IL at some point in the first or second week of May.

Minnesota optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

The move comes one day after Varland turned in another ugly start in which he allowed four runs over just 2.2 innings in a 6-1 loss to the Tigers. Varland offered plenty of potential at the beginning of the season, but it hasn't manifested thus far, as he held a 9.18 ERA in four outings. Simeon Woods Richardson could be called up from Triple-A to take Varland's spot in the rotation later this week.

Medina (knee) is on track to begin a rehab assignment next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Medina is with Oakland on its road trip and is set to throw four bullpen sessions before going out on a rehab assignment. The right-hander is working his way back from the Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee that he suffered back in early March. Medina is on the 60-day injured list and thus isn't eligible for activation until late May. It will take time for him to be built back up as a starter, so he likely wouldn't be available before then, anyway.

Waldichuk (elbow) could begin a rehab assignment sometime next week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The lefty has joined the Athletics on their road trip and will throw four bullpen sessions before being sent out on a rehab assignment. Waldichuk was diagnosed last October with a UCL sprain and flexor strain, but he chose a more conservative Tenex procedure to remove scar tissue and help alleviate pain. He will be built up as a starter, so Waldichuk will likely need most of his 30-day rehab allotment before being an option for the Oakland rotation. The southpaw is on the 60-day injured list and won't be eligible for activation until late May.

Rodriguez remains on a restricted workload this season and will likely shift to a multi-inning relief role once Alek Manoah (shoulder) is deemed ready to join the rotation, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old Cuban rookie has been impressive in his first two MLB starts, posting a 2.35 ERA and 13:3 K:BB through 7.2 innings, but after not pitching professionally in 2023 and working out of the bullpen in Japan prior to that, the Blue Jays don't want to burn Rodriguez out with a heavy workload this season. Manoah likely needs at least one more rehab start, but he's on the same schedule as Rodriguez at Triple-A Buffalo, and the Jays could make the switch in their big-league rotation as soon as April 29 at home against the Royals.

Manoah (shoulder) showed improvement in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Buffalo, allowing two runs on six hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander still wasn't at his sharpest, giving up a two-run shot to Columbus' Johnathan Rodriguez in the first inning as well as three doubles, but Manoah threw 61 of 92 pitches for strikes, and the lack of free passes was encouraging. The Blue Jays are still counting on the 26-year-old to fill a rotation spot in the majors this season, and while Yariel Rodriguez is currently filling the No. 5 starter role admirably, Kaithyn McGrath of The Athletic reports that the Cuban rookie will be kept on a strict workload limit this season and is a candidate to transition into a multi-inning relief role. Rodriguez and Manoah are pitching on the same schedule, so assuming Toronto wants Manoah to make at least one more rehab start before activating him, he could make his season debut as early as April 29 at home against the Royals.

Wells is without a timeline to resume throwing after being placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right elbow inflammation, but manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that he's optimistic the right-hander will avoid an extended absence, MLB.com reports.

Hyde suggested that Wells' placement on the IL was for precautionary reasons after the 29-year-old experienced discomfort in his elbow following his most recent outing April 12. Given that he hasn't been diagnosed with anything more than inflammation, Wells should be in store for a brief shutdown before he starts throwing again, but since he has yet to do so just under a week after being placed on the IL, he's still likely to miss more than the minimum 15 days. Wells is one of three Orioles starters on the IL at the moment, but he appears to be the furthest away from being activated since John Means (forearm) and Kyle Bradish (elbow) are already in the midst of rehab assignments.

Bradish (elbow) covered 3.1 innings in the second start of his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Norfolk, striking out four while allowing four earned runs on six hits and three walks.

According to MLB.com, Bradish's fastball sat around 93 to 95 miles per hour in Sunday's outing as he built up to 64 pitches. Though his velocity was roughly in line with his average from the 2023 season (94.8 mph), Bradish still looks like he needs more time in the minors to regain his control and command as he makes his way back from a right UCL sprain. He spotted only 37 of his 64 pitches for strikes (57.8 percent) and hit a batter and threw a wild pitch in addition to issuing three free passes. Bradish is likely to make another rehab start for Norfolk or Double-A Bowie on Friday or Saturday before the Orioles reassess whether he's ready to return from the 15-day injured list.

Woo (elbow) struck out five over three perfect innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Woo needed just 35 pitches to cruise through his three frames in a difficult pitching environment in Las Vegas. The velocity on his four-seamer was down a bit at 93.9 miles per hour, but that's not overly concerning considering it was his first game action in more than a month. Woo is in line for multiple rehab starts but could be ready to rejoin the Mariners rotation by early May.