MLB Player News

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters Friday that Urquidy (shoulder) has begun throwing on flat ground, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Baker noted that Urquidy will still have to build his arm back up, but he also mentioned that the right-hander has dealt with shoulder inflammation in the past. After getting shut down in late April, Urquidy could need a lengthy rehab assignment, but it's possible the right-hander will be able to return to the Houston rotation right around the All-Star break.

Maeda (triceps) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A St. Paul, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Maeda will probably be asked to make a handful of rehab starts given the amount of time he's missed. The 35-year-old right-hander posted a 9.00 ERA across his first four starts (16 innings) this season before going on the injured list in late April due to a right triceps strain.

Keller (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

It will be Keller's first mound workout since he went on the injured list due to right shoulder impingement syndrome. There is currently no timeline for his return to the Royals' rotation, but he does seem to be headed in a positive direction following a brief shutdown period.

Lynch (shoulder) appears to be on track to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game versus the Nationals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kansas City hasn't yet announced a starter for Sunday, but Lynch looks like an excellent candidate to fill the opneing after delivering six scoreless innings in his latest rehab outing this past Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha. The 26-year-old southpaw was poised to be a part of the Opening Day rotation before he suffered a left shoulder strain in late March. Lynch compiled a 5.32 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 177:83 K:BB across his first 199.2 major-league innings between 2021 and 2022.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias revealed Friday that Means (elbow) recently suffered a muscle strain in his upper back, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The strain is in the scapular area, although it's not clear whether it's to his left (throwing) shoulder or right shoulder. This represents a fairly significant setback for Means in his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery. He had been on track to join the Orioles around the All-Star break but he can probably now be ruled out through at least the end of July.

Manning (foot) threw a bullpen session earlier this week, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

It was his first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a right foot fracture back in mid-April. Manning is on the 60-day injured list and not eligible to return until mid-June.

Turnbull (neck) has yet to resume throwing, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Multiple MRI scans have shown that Turnbull's neck has been healing, just very slowly. He's scheduled for another MRI in two weeks, at which point the Tigers will re-evaluate his situation and determine whether or not he can begin a throwing program. Turnbull has been on the IL with neck discomfort since May 12.

Skubal (elbow) threw live batting practice Friday at Comerica Park, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Jonathan Schoop was one of the hitters that stood in against Skubal and told reporters that the 26-year-old left-hander looked "nasty." Velocity readings had him reaching 98 mph with his fastball at one point. Skubal is on the road back from August 2022 flexor tendon surgery and could be an option for the Tigers' starting rotation sometime in late June.

The Yankees recalled Vasquez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

The 24-year-old righty will make his major-league debut while starting Friday's game against the Padres. He holds a 4.85 ERA and 1.59 WHIP through 42.2 innings in the minors this season, but he has demonstrated an ability to rack up strikeouts at a plus rate. That being said, he shouldn't be viewed as a reliable fantasy option to begin his MLB career. Aaron Hicks was released Friday in a corresponding move.

Whitley was removed from Thursday's start at Triple-A Sugar Land with discomfort in his right shoulder, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros are saying his removal was precautionary, but Whitley just recently missed a couple weeks of action with shoulder issues and he ended last season with a shoulder problem, as well. Whitley has been inconsistent with Sugar Land this season, posting a 5.70 ERA and 32:17 K:BB over 30 innings.