MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) threw another bullpen session Tuesday and could be cleared for live batting practice this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

McCullers threw 37 pitches in Tuesday's session, touching 92 mph with his fastball and 88-89 mph with his cutter, per Rome. It's the first time during his bullpen ramp-ups that he's incorporated the cutter. McCullers appears to be feeling well but would seem to still have a little work to do from a velocity standpoint. If he does face hitters this weekend, a rehab assignment would seemingly be right around the corner.

Blackburn (finger) is slated to make another rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas later in the week, the Associated Press reports.

After a blister and a subsequent brief paternity leave put Blackburn's rehab assignment on hold for just under a month, the right-hander returned to action with the Aviators on Sunday and surrendered four earned runs over two innings and 41 pitches. Nevertheless, manager Mark Kotsay noted he'd received positive reports regarding the outing and confirmed Monday that Blackburn will toe the rubber in the minors again later in the week. If there's an appreciable bump in pitch count and improved performance during that outing, Blackburn may be deemed ready for activation soon thereafter.

Lange has shown increased velocity this season, according to Geoff Pontes of Baseball America, and has a 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 24.1 innings through six starts for Single-A Tampa.

The 6-foot-4 righty was traded from the Padres to the Yankees in March of 2022 in exchange for Luke Voit, but it wasn't until this spring that Lange showed enough promise to potentially make the Padres regret that swap. Per Pontes, Lange has been sitting in the mid-90s and touching 98 mph with his fastball while mixing in a high-80s cutter, changeup and a low-80s sweeper.

Bradley is under consideration along with Cooper Criswell to start for the Rays on Wednesday against the Mets, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bradley has been fantastic in three starts for the Rays this season, holding a 3.52 ERA and 23:2 K:BB over 15.1 innings. He's struggled lately with Triple-A Durham, though, as Tampa Bay has had him alter his pitch mix while also getting him used to working on a traditional five-day schedule. Bradley is almost surely going to be the long-term replacement for Drew Rasmussen (elbow), but it's possible the club will go with Criswell for now as Bradley works through some things. Criswell would be pitching on short rest if he is the choice, having last started for Durham on Saturday. Bradley's last start came Thursday.

Carter (undisclosed) was reinstated from Single-A Dunedin's 7-day injured list Friday and worked 1.2 innings in his 2023 debut, giving up four earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two.

Carter missed about five weeks of action to begin the minor-league season, presumably because he suffered an injury during the offseason or got hurt at some point during spring training. Since the rookie-level Florida Complex League season hasn't started, Carter was unable to complete a rehab assignment at a lower level, so he'll likely gradually build up his workload over his subsequent starts with Dunedin.

Brito (3-3) earned the win Monday, allowing four runs on six hits across 5.1 innings during a 7-4 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Brito served as a bulk reliever Monday after Jimmy Cordero went two innings as an opener. The right-handed Brito was solid and has now allowed one or fewer runs while completing at least five innings four times this season. Across nine appearances (eight starts), Brito sports a 5.20 ERA, 1.43 ERA and 24:14 K:BB over 36.1 innings. Despite the decent performance Monday, Brito is still a candidate to head back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when Luis Severino (lat) is activated off the injured list.

Manoah (1-4) took the loss Monday, allowing five runs on six hits and seven walks over four innings in a 7-4 loss to the Yankees. He struck out three.

Manoah walked a season-high seven batters and allowed five or more runs for the third time this year. He currently sports a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with an abysmal 35:32 K:BB over 45 innings. The right-hander was one of the best pitchers in the AL last year, posting a 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 180:51 K:BB over 31 starts (196.2 innings), but he hasn't looked like the same guy to start 2023. Manoah will look to find a rhythm during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for a three-game weekend set versus Baltimore.

Irvin was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk by the Orioles on Tuesday.

Per Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun, it appears the O's are bringing Irvin back to provide some length out of the bullpen. Irvin was sent down last month after posting a 10.66 ERA in three starts for Baltimore, but he got back on track at Norfolk with a 3.19 ERA in five outings.

Rodriguez (2-1) took the loss against the Angels on Monday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and three walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out three.

Rodriguez served up a season-high eight earned runs Monday and has now allowed multiple home runs in three straight starts. The right-hander has been a hit-or-miss player during his first big-league stint, allowing four total earned runs in four starts (20.2 innings) while surrendering 23 runs over his other four appearances (16.1 innings). Overall, the rookie sports a 6.57 ERA and 1.73 WHIP, but his 44:17 K:BB across 37 innings is encouraging. Rodriguez will look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for a three-game weekend set in Toronto.

Houck has a 2.33 ERA the first time through an order, but the ERA swells to 5.40 when facing hitters a second time, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

The numbers get uglier a third time through, when Houck's ERA climbs to 13.50. Boston manager Alex Cora said nothing has been different about Houck later in games -- throws the same pitches, the stuff is the same, keeps attacking hitters. The pattern emerging could lead Cora to move Houck to the bullpen. The Red Sox are currently operating with six starters -- and a seventh, Garrett Whitlock (elbow), on the way. Decisions need to be made, and Houck's inability to sustain his early-inning success could make it an easy decision for the manager.