MLB Player News

Cole (elbow) completed a bullpen session Tuesday and is expected to throw another bullpen this weekend, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Cole is continuing to progress toward returning after throwing off a mound May 4 for the first time since being placed on the injured list in March. He tossed another bullpen session Tuesday without a setback and is expected to continue to ramp up his throwing efforts in the coming weeks. Cole appears to be on track for an early-to-mid-June return.

Rodriguez (shoulder) "feels much better" and hopes to be reinstated once he becomes eligible May 15, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reported Tuesday.

Rodriguez has battled inflammation in his shoulder throughout May. However, per Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com, his move to the 15-day IL was to prevent the issue from developing into anything more serious, and he could return to the O's without a rehab start. Rodriguez has a 4-1 record with a 3.71 ERA through six starts and would likely replace Cole Irvin in the rotation once available.

Marsh (elbow) struck out six and gave up one hit and one walk over four shutout innings Sunday in his rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.

According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said prior to Sunday's rehab outing that Marsh was being targeted for 60-to-65 pitches, but the right-hander fell slightly short of that benchmark with 53 pitches (38 strikes). In any case, Marsh mowed down the Triple-A Iowa lineup in efficient fashion and looks as though he could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Friday against the Angels. If the Royals instead decide to give Marsh one more rehab start to increase his pitch count, Daniel Lynch would likely be in store for a second turn through the rotation this weekend.

Eovaldi (groin) was seen playing catch ahead of Tuesday's game against the Athletics, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy provided a positive update Monday with news that the right-hander isn't dealing with a sports hernia, and Eovaldi is back to playing catch a day later. Barring any sort of setback, the 34-year-old could be good to go without needing a rehab assignment once he clears the 15-day IL on May 18. In the meantime, Jose Urena and Jack Leiter will be deployed as starters when necessary.

Bido will be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Rangers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Bido has earned a look after collecting a 2.59 ERA and 39:13 K:BB across 31.1 innings with Las Vegas this season. With Joe Boyle (back) landing on the 15-day injured list, it's possible Bido will be asked to make additional starts for Oakland beyond Wednesday.

Waldichuk (elbow) experienced a setback after throwing a 25-pitch live batting practice April 29 and is shut down for the time being, MLB.com reports.

The left-hander has not thrown since that session and is slated to be reevaluated in the coming days. It's naturally a tough break for Waldichuk, who opened the season on the 60-day IL but had been making uninterrupted progress prior to this recent stumble. Given Waldichuk will almost certainly require a full-length rehab assignment whenever he is cleared for game action, he may be hard-pressed to be ready for activation before mid-June.

Medina (knee) faced hitters during a 20-pitch live bullpen session at the Oakland Coliseum on Monday and came away feeling good, MLB.com reports.

It's another step in the right direction for Medina, who's now slated to head to the Athletics' minor-league complex in Arizona to throw a simulated game Friday. If that also goes off without a hitch, Medina is projected to begin a rehab assignment shortly thereafter.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Leiter will "probably" start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Athletics, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Michael Lorenzen will start the first game of the double dip and Leiter has already joined the club in Oakland as he lines up for the second contest. The young right-hander struggled in a spot start in Detroit last month in his major-league debut, yielding seven runs over 3.2 frames. However, he's been sharp at Triple-A Round Rock with a 2.84 ERA and 37:8 K:BB over 25.1 innings. While there is obvious risk, Leiter represents an intriguing streaming option Wednesday. He's a possibility to make at least one additional start, as well while Nathan Eovaldi (groin) recovers.

France was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday with a shoulder injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was demoted to Triple-A on April 25 and surrendered three runs over 3.2 innings during his lone start prior to the injury. France is without an official timeline for return but could be out "a while," per Rome. The injury won't immediately affect the Astros' rotation but is a big hit to their depth.

Flaherty (0-2) took the loss Monday against Cleveland, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Flaherty struggled with the Guardians' power, yielding three extra-base hits, including a solo homer in the sixth frame to Jose Ramirez. While the veteran righty has been an excellent source of strikeouts with 56 K's through 42 innings, he hasn't been as dominant in the run department but still owns a 3.86 ERA and has walked merely six batters. Flaherty will likely take the mound Sunday against the Astros for his next start.