MLB Player News

Rodriguez (back) recently underwent an MRI that came back clean, per MLB.com.

The imaging brought promising news for the right-handed hurler, and he was able to play catch June 16. That was just two days after Rodriguez had to depart his start against Tampa Bay after feeling tightness in his back. It's not clear how long Rodriguez will be sidelined, but early indications are that he may not need much more than the minimum 15 days required by his IL stint.

Javier (shoulder) will make another appearance Sunday for Triple-A Sugar Land in what should be his final rehab start, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier only made three appearances for Houston before being placed on the injured list April 10. Houston believes this upcoming rehab start should be the 29-year-old's final one, so it seems the right-hander is close to being back with the big-league club after missing over two months of action.

Fried (elbow) will throw a bullpen session this weekend, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Fried has been out of action since mid-May due to a left elbow bone bruise. The southpaw was cleared to throw off a mound about a month later, and he tossed his first bullpen June 16. MLB.com reports that Fried's next bullpen will take place Sunday and that the veteran pitcher is currently asymptomatic. If he continues to progress without any setbacks, Fried could rejoin New York's rotation at some point in July.

Schmidt (elbow) tossed a side session Wednesday and is "a couple of weeks" away from facing live hitters, per MLB.com.

Schmidt is now almost a year out from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July. The veteran hurler began throwing from a mound in early April but has been limited to side sessions so far. If he continues his throwing program and is able to face hitters in late June or early July, Schmidt could be ready for game action at some point in August.

McCullers (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch live batting practice session Friday at Daikin Park, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It was the hurler's first time facing hitters since he was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation in mid-May. The next step for McCullers will either be throwing another live batting practice session or going out on a rehab assignment. It seems McCullers could be back before the All-Star break if all goes well, but he still has several boxes to check.

Fedde is slated to serve as the bulk reliever in Friday's game versus the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Lefty Brandon Eisert will open for the White Sox before handing things off to the right-handed Fedde. It will be the seventh bulk relief assignment this season for Fedde, who holds a 4.73 ERA and 19:12 K:BB over 26.2 frames in his first seven outings in such situations.

Flaherty (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It appears to be the first time the right-hander has thrown off the mound since he landed on the injured list last week with a left peroneal strain. Flaherty is first eligible to return June 28, and he has a chance to make it back by then or shortly thereafter.

Montero will start Sunday's game against the White Sox in Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Justin Verlander (hip/hamstring) had been slated to return from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game, but he encountered a setback. Montero made a relief appearance Tuesday versus the Astros, but his other 13 outings this season have been starts. He's collected a 3.67 ERA and 50:17 K:BB over 73.2 frames this season. Verlander is expected to miss multiple weeks, so Montero is likely to get multiple turns in the Detroit rotation.

Verlander (hip) has been scratched from a scheduled start Sunday versus the White Sox due to a left hamstring injury, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Verlander had been slated to return from a nearly three-month absence with left hip inflammation, but he encountered a setback with his hamstring during a bullpen session Wednesday. The Tigers expect the 43-year-old's recovery to last "a matter of weeks." Keider Montero will start for the Tigers on Sunday and is likely to make additional starts while Verlander recovers.

The Royals reinstated Lugo (concussion) from the 7-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Cardinals.

The 36-year-old has been on the shelf for the past week after being struck in the head by a comebacker, but he'll quickly re-enter Kansas City's rotation. Lugo has a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 66:25 K:BB across 79.1 innings through 14 starts this season.