MLB Player News

Cole (2-1) earned the win Tuesday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings.

Andrew Benintendi took Cole deep in the first inning to give Chicago an early lead, but the right-hander quickly settled in and retired 13 consecutive batters through the middle innings. He ran into trouble in the sixth when Luisangel Acuna's single with the bases loaded brought home a run, but Cole escaped the jam and stranded three runners to survive the inning. The former AL Cy Young winner threw 90 pitches for the first time this season Tuesday and has now recorded three quality starts in five outings since returning. Cole continues to build momentum, posting a 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB across 28 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start at home against the Reds.

Brown completed 5.2 innings against Detroit on Tuesday, giving up one run on three hits and three walks while striking out seven batters in a no-decision.

Brown logged his first MLB game action since March 31 after recovering from a shoulder injury. The right-hander didn't seem to have much rust, logging 12 whiffs and seven punchouts while tossing 92 pitches over 5.2 frames. Brown didn't give up any extra-base hits, and the lone run he allowed came on a walk, two productive outs and a single in the second inning. Fantasy managers who roster Brown should be plenty happy about the hurler's return outing, especially given his near-full workload. Brown should be good to go with minimal restrictions moving forward, and he's projected to make his next appearance on the road versus Toronto.

Young (5-2) allowed three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two over six innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Tuesday.

Young had his best outing of the season against the Mariners in his last start, but he wasn't quite as good in the rematch in Seattle. It was still a fifth straight quality start for the right-hander, who has given the Orioles good pitching more often than not. He's now at a 3.18 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 44:23 K:BB over 62.1 innings across 11 starts this season. Young's lack of strikeouts limits his usefulness in fantasy, but he's allowed three runs or less in all but one of his starts. He's projected for a tough road start versus the Dodgers in his next outing.

Montero dropped to 3-5 on the season after striking out two batters and allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits across 1.1 innings out out the bullpen in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Astros.

Montero had made all 13 of his previous appearances this season as a starter, but with Tarik Skubal returning from the injured list last weekend and both Casey Mize (adductor) and Justin Verlander (hip) on track to be activated Wednesday and Sunday, respectively, the Tigers no longer have room in the rotation for Montero for the time being. According to Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said prior to Tuesday's contest that Montero will remain in the bullpen for at least the next two series, though it's possible Detroit will expand its rotation to six to include the young right-hander when the club begins a stretch of 11 games is many days June 22. Despite a general lack of strikeouts (50 in 73.2 innings), Montero has been effective as a starter this season with a 3.61 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 72.1 innings.

Bassitt (back) received a facet injection to his lower back Friday, and he's set to begin his throwing progression, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt was placed on the 15-day injured list June 8 due to low back discomfort, but he now appears to be set to begin to working towards a return to action. The right-hander will likely require at least one bullpen session and potentially a round of live batting practice before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment. Bassitt is first eligible to be activated from the IL on June 20, but he seems likely to remain sidelined into July at this point.

Kremer (quadriceps) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk this week, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Kremer threw live batting practice for the second time in a week Tuesday, and he'll now transition into game action with the Triple-A squad. Considering he's been sidelined since late April while recovering from a right quadriceps strain, the right-hander will likely require a few outings with Norfolk to get up to speed before he'd be added to the major-league roster in early July.

Povich (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Chesapeake this week, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Povich has been sidelined since early May while nursing left elbow inflammation. The southpaw threw live batting practice Tuesday, and he appears to have left the session without any concerns moving forward. Povich may require multiple rehab starts to shake off some rust, but time will tell what the team's plan is.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Castillo will work in relief behind starter Bryce Miller during Friday's game against the Red Sox as part of a piggyback arrangement, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Castillo and Miller made standalone starts in both of their last two appearances, but the two will shift back into a tandem setup Friday. They previously worked in a piggyback arrangement on three occasions back in May, with Miller covering between five and 5.2 frames in those games and Castillo ranging between 2.1 and five innings. According to Hollander, the Mariners plan to condense their rotation to five through the All-Star break, with all six of their starters rotating through and being part of at least one piggyback game over the next month. Hollander noted that it was merely a coincidence that the new staff-wide piggyback plan is beginning with Miller and Castillo, so both are expected to be separated and make traditional starts when their turn in the pitching schedule comes up again next week.

Verlander (hip) will return from the injured list to start Sunday's game against the White Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Verlander threw 66 pitches in a four-inning sim game Monday without any problems, so the Tigers will allow him to return from the IL over the weekend and make his first start since March 30. The 43-year-old posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 10.2 frames during his rehab assignment at Triple-A, but he was lit up for five earned runs in just 3.2 innings during his lone MLB outing this season and is set to return against a White Sox offense that's posted a .777 OPS since the beginning of June.

Toronto announced that Bieber (elbow) will make another rehab start Wednesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bieber will commence another rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, which could be his third and final start before rejoining the big-league club. The 31-year-old is aiming for 75 pitches Wednesday, and Toronto will go from there to determine whether the right-hander is ready to make his season debut.