MLB Player News

Heaney allowed six runs on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings during Wednesday's 12-7 loss to the Diamondbacks. He struck out five and didn't factor in the decision.

The 31-year-old struggled with his command and threw just 49 of 92 pitches for strikes, resulting in a season-high four walks. The left-hander was also victimized three times by the long ball, with Christian Walker going deep twice. Heaney entered Wednesday having given up only five earned runs over his previous four outings, and he'll attempt to get back to that form early next week in Seattle.

Valdez (2-4) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings in a 4-2 loss against the Giants. He struck out eight.

Valdez recorded his sixth consecutive quality start Wednesday, holding San Francisco to just a pair of runs in the sixth inning. However, the 29-year-old left-hander was ultimately outdueled by Logan Webb in the 4-2 loss. Despite his losing record, Valdez has been excellent this season with a 2.60 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB. He'll be counted on to continue anchoring Houston's rotation following injuries to Luis Garcia (elbow) and Jose Urquidy (shoulder).

Houck will remain in the Red Sox's rotation for now and start Sunday in Philadelphia, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

While manager Alex Cora committed to Houck making his next scheduled start, he did not guarantee anything beyond that. Notable is that James Paxton's (hamstring) rehab assignment window runs out May 8, one day after Houck's start. Houck has been roughed up for 10 runs (nine earned) over 11 innings in his last two starts.

Whitlock (elbow) could return after a minimum-length stay on the 15-day injured list, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock has been cleared to resume throwing as he makes a swift recovery from right elbow ulnar neuritis. He'll be eligible for activation May 9, and he looks as though he'll have a chance to return that day or shortly thereafter.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Rodon (back) will undergo more testing Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Rodon no longer has any issues with his pitching arm, but his back is still bothering him and the Yankees are trying to get a better handle on it. Apparently the back issue is affecting the lefty's mechanics. Rodon remains on the 15-day injured list, but given his recent setback, he could be a candidate to shift to the 60-day IL, which would make him ineligible to make his 2023 debut until May 29.

Severino (lat) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Tampa on Thursday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that he hoped to get Severino back in 2-3 weeks, so expect the right-hander to make two and possibly three rehab starts. He's been on the shelf all season with a strained right lat muscle.

Cole's next start will be moved up a day to Sunday against the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Nestor Cortes will be pushed back due to a recent bout with strep throat. It will be normal rest for Cole after he held the Guardians to two runs over six innings Tuesday.

Cortes is no longer scheduled to make start this weekend at Tampa Bay, with manager Aaron Boone noting that the southpaw's next turn has been pushed back to Monday against the Athletics after Cortes recently overcame a bout with strep throat, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Cortes is feeling fine now, but the illness interrupted his between-starts preparation, which prompted the Yankees to push him back in the pitching schedule. Gerrit Cole will be moved up from Monday to start Sunday on normal rest.

The Royals transferred Bubic (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Austin Cox, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Omaha. Bubic underwent Tommy John surgery in late April and isn't expected to be ready to return to game action for the Royals until at least the middle of the 2024 campaign.

DeGrom (elbow) is slated to begin playing catch during the Rangers' May 5-14 road trip, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

When exactly he'll play catch during the road trip isn't clear, but it's good news that it's coming soon. DeGrom landed on the injured list last weekend with right elbow inflammation and is eligible for activation in mid-May. Whether he'll be ready to go at that time remains to be seen.