MLB Player News

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday that Manning isn't dealing with any structural damage to his right shoulder, but the 24-year-old's status for his next start remains up in the air, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. "The initial diagnosis with him is positive, as positive as it could be," Hinch said of Manning. "Structurally we think [his shoulder is] just fine. There is some inflammation. There is some tendinitis, some soreness."

After giving up one run on one hit while covering six frames in his season debut April 11 against the Red Sox, Manning lasted only two innings in his second outing Saturday in Kansas City before exiting with the shoulder issue. While Hinch and the Tigers brass appear confident that Manning isn't dealing with a major injury, it wouldn't be surprising if the organization proceeded cautiously with one of its prized young pitchers and held him out for a start or two. The Tigers will likely wait and see how Manning fares in his next bullpen session before determining whether to allow him to make his next start Saturday against the Rockies in Detroit.

Gray (finger) is listed as the Rangers' probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Mariners.

Texas plans to officially activate Gray from the 10-day injured list later Tuesday as he makes his return from a minimum-length stay on the shelf. After taking the hill for the Rangers' season opener against the Blue Jays on April 8, Gray developed a blister on his right middle finger that prompted the team to shut him down as a matter of precaution. Gray has seemingly been able to throw without any discomfort since being deactivated, so he's not expected to face any major workload restrictions in his return to action Tuesday. The outing against Seattle is expected to mark the first of two starts this week for Gray, who is likely to take the hill again Sunday in Oakland.

Crawford allowed four runs on two hits and five walks while striking out two over 1.2 innings in Monday's 8-3 loss to Minnesota.

Crawford was knocked around by an opponent for the second consecutive outing. He's allowed a total of seven runs on five hits, six walks and a wild pitch in his two appearances so far. A surprise addition to the Opening Day roster, the right-handed Crawford has pitched to a 15.75 ERA and 4.00 WHIP over four appearances.

Watkins totaled five innings against Oakland on Monday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out one. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander induced only five swinging strikes and fanned just one batter in his five frames, but he allowed just one extra-base hit and surrendered only one run in the outing. Baltimore couldn't get much going against Frankie Montas and the rest of Oakland's pitching staff, however, blocking Watkins from a chance at his first victory of the campaign. Still, it's been a promising start to the season for the 29-year-old, as he's allowed only two earned runs across his first eight frames. His strikeout stuff is nearly non-existent, but Watkins may be earning himself a long-term rotation spot with his performance through two starts.

Montas (2-1) earned the win over Baltimore on Monday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings.

Montas held the Orioles to just four baserunners and one run through six frames, but he threw his final pitch with the score tied 1-1. Fortunately for the right-hander, Oakland found its offense in the bottom of the sixth, producing four runs to put Montas in line for the victory. After allowing five runs and taking the loss against Philadelphia in his first appearance of the campaign, Montas has earned back-to-back wins while yielding just two earned runs over his subsequent 12.1 innings. He's line up to make his next start at home against Texas on Saturday.

Lorenzen (1-1) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings Monday, striking out two and taking a loss against Houston.

Lorenzen stumbled out of the gate Monday, coughing up a two-run shot to Yordan Alvarez in the first inning. In the fourth, he walked Jeremy Pena with the bases loaded before plunking Jose Siri just two pitches later. The 30-year-old saw his ERA jump to 4.82 through 9.1 innings across two appearances. Lorenzen is currently expected to face the Guardians at home next week.

Garcia (1-0) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings Monday, striking out seven and earning a win over the Angels.

Through five innings, the only damage against Garcia was Tyler Wade's two-run double in the second inning. He retired 11 straight batters before Max Stassi hit a solo homer and knocked Garcia out of the game in the sixth. The 25-year-old forced 12 swinging strikes and improved his K:BB to 8:3 through 9.1 frames. Garcia will carry a 2.79 ERA into his projected start this weekend against the Blue Jays at home.

McClanahan allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits across six innings in Monday's loss to the Cubs. He struck out nine and did not factor in the decision.

The only damage against McClanahan came from Patrick Wisdom's two-run shot in the second inning. The 24-year-old southpaw was only charged with one earned run due to Seiya Suzuki reaching base on an error earlier in the inning. McClanahan fired 80 pitches and forced 13 swinging strikes in the impressive outing. He's now sporting a 2.40 ERA and a 24:5 K:BB through three starts. McClanahan is lined up to face Boston at home this weekend.

Kaprielian (shoulder) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kaprielian made his first rehab start with Low-A Stockton last week and allowed two runs over five innings, and he'll now move his rehab up to Triple-A. The 28-year-old threw 52 pitches in that outing and should continue ramping up his workload Wednesday, which could end up being his final rehab appearances before returning from the injured list.

McCullers (forearm) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers is still working his way back from the forearm injury he suffered during the postseason. He started throwing last week but remains without a clear timeline, though his move to the 60-day injured list at least clarifies that he won't return before early June. The transaction clears a spot for Yordan Alvarez to return from the COVID-19 injured list.