MLB Player News

Manning (foot) told reporters Sunday that he expects to start throwing again as soon as next week and hopes to return to the mound in six weeks, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Woodbery notes that Manning was in the clubhouse prior to Sunday's game against the Giants while wearing a protective boot and using a Knee Rover scooter. The right-hander broke the fifth metatarsal on his right foot during Tuesday's start, but he won't require surgery and stands a good chance to return to the mound before the summer months if there are no setbacks.

The Royals placed Bubic on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left flexor strain.

Bubic went five innings against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing five runs on 10 hits. The left-hander will miss at least two weeks while he recovers from the strain, and Josh Taylor has been recalled from Omaha in a corresponding move.

Ragans (2-1) allowed two runs on five hits while striking out three over four innings, picking up the loss in Saturday's game against the Astros.

Ragans was forced to enter the game when starter Jon Gray was removed following a comebacker off his elbow. That's never an easy situation for a pitcher, but the 25-year-old lefty filled up the zone (40 of 55 pitches for strikes) in an effort to get quick outs and eat up as many innings as possible. "Cole did a good job for us, gave us some much needed innings," Texas manager Bruce Bochy told Kenndi Landry of MLB.com. "He did a really nice job getting us some length to the seventh inning." Gray's injury appears to be a minor one, and he could make his next start, so Ragans may not be needed for a spot start. The lefty, who was a minor-league starter, has adjusted well to a bullpen role in 2023, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out nine over nine innings (six outings). Of note, after issuing four free passes in his first 3.1 innings, Ragans is walk-free over the last 5.2 frames.

Minnesota optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Varland pitched well in his start against the Yankees on Friday by allowing three runs over six innings. However, the right-hander was sent down to the minors to make room for Brent Headrick after Headrick received a call-up from the Saints in a corresponding transaction.

Brown (2-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings in a 8-2 win over Texas. He struck out five.

Brown gave manager Dusty Baker and the Astros a second consecutive excellent start. The 24-year-old righty has given up just three runs in his last 14 innings, but none of them have been earned. Look for the Detroit native to keep getting opportunities to prove himself as Houston looks to fill the void left by Justin Verlander in free agency.

Kirby (1-1) secured the win over Colorado on Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks while striking out three batters over 6.1 innings.

Kirby recorded a season-low three punchouts and notched a modest nine swinging strikes Saturday, but he held the Rockies to a pair of runs to enjoy his first win of the campaign. The right-hander started the season with a rough 4.1-inning, four-run effort, but he's since posted consecutive quality starts during which he's allowed a combined three earned runs over 12.1 frames. Kirby's 6.5 K/9 so far in 2023 is disappointing after he recorded a 9.2 K/9 over 130 frames as a rookie last season, but he has plenty of time to catch up. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come at home against St. Louis next week.

Bubic (0-2) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, pitching five innings during which he allowed five runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Bubic was outstanding in his first two starts this season, allowing just two runs and posting a 13:1 K:BB over 11 innings. The southpaw took a step back Saturday, yielding a season-high 10 hits -- including three extra-base hits off the bat of Sean Murphy -- and five runs. Bubic didn't fool many batters in inducing just eight swinging strikes and recording a season-low three punchouts. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, which is tentatively slated to come on the road against the Angels.

Kopech didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Orioles, giving up three runs on six hits and four walks over five-plus innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander seemed to be cruising toward a quality start, allowing just one run through the first five innings, but a solo shot by Anthony Santander followed by a walk to Austin Hays to lead off the sixth chased Kopech from the game. It's the second time in three starts the wheels have come off for him in a hurry in a later inning. Kopech will carry a 6.32 ERA and 14:10 K:BB through 15.2 innings into his next outing, likely to come next weekend in Tampa Bay.

Lorenzen didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the Giants, surrendering six runs on eight hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out six.

The strikeouts were somewhat encouraging, but Lorenzen's first start of the season was mostly poor as he served up two-run home runs to Blake Sabol in the second inning and J.D. Davis in the third, eventually exiting after 79 pitches (52 strikes). Fortunately for the right-hander, he got bailed out by Detroit's batters after he hit the showers. Lorenzen, whose season debut was delayed due to a spring groin strain, should remain in the rotation for at least another couple turns. He'll hope he's shaken off all the rust ahead of his next outing, likely to come next weekend in Baltimore.

Gray (forearm) told reporters Saturday that he does not expected to miss his next turn in the rotation, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gray was hit in the right forearm on a line drive off the bat from Yainer Diaz and had to be removed in the third inning against the Astros. Examination revealed just a bruise for the 31-year-old right-hander, and while the situation could change depending on swelling and how Gray feels in the coming days, it appears he's avoided an injury that would require a trip to the injured list.