MLB Player News

Mariners manager Scott Servais said Gonzales (forearm) was able to throw off flat ground Sunday, Lauren Smith of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Gonzales was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a mild left forearm strain, but the fact that he was able to play catch three days later suggests that he could be in store for a brief stay on the shelf. The Mariners likely won't iron out a firm target date for Gonzales' return until he resumes facing hitters in a live batting practice session or simulated game. Seattle isn't expected to shorten its rotation to five men while Gonzales is sidelined, but the team could opt for bullpen games when the southpaw's turn comes up rather than appointing a sixth starter.

The Athletics placed Luzardo on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a fractured left pinkie finger.

According to Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle, Luzardo suffered the injury prior to his start Saturday against the Orioles, when he bumped his pitching hand while playing a video game. After Luzardo was roughed up for six runs (three earned) over three innings Saturday, he was sent in for an X-ray, which revealed a hairline fracture. Regardless of whether or not surgery is required on the injured finger, Luzardo appears destined to be on the shelf for longer than the 10-day minimum, depriving the Athletics of one of their top starters. Mike Fiers is expected to stick in the rotation as the No. 5 starter for the duration of Luzardo's absence.

The Blue Jays placed Milone on the 10-day injured list Sunday with left shoulder inflammation.

Milone likely picked up the injury during his long-relief appearance Saturday, when he was tagged for four runs over 2.1 innings in Toronto's win over Atlanta. The Blue Jays recalled Anthony Kay from their alternate site in a corresponding move, giving the team another lefty arm capable of providing some length out of the bullpen.

Arihara received an injection to address a sore right middle finger, an injury he picked up during his start in Friday's loss to the Red Sox, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

The sore finger and an accompanying callus on the digit likely had an effect in the rookie submitting his worst start of the season, as Boston torched him for six runs on four hits -- all home runs -- and two walks over 2.2 innings. The Rangers are optimistic that Arihara will be ready to go for his next turn through the rotation Wednesday in Minnesota, but if the injection fails to have its desired effect in a timely fashion, he'll likely be moved to the 10-day injured list. Long reliever Hyeon-Jong Yang would presumably be the top candidate to make a spot start if Arihara isn't cleared to face the Twins, according to Daniel Guerrero of MLB.com.

Luzardo (1-3) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Orioles after allowing six runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks while fanning one across three innings.

Luzardo failed to pitch more than three innings for the second time this season and has been struggling massively -- this was also the second time he ended with more walks than strikeouts. The left-hander, who has given up three or more earned runs in four of his six appearances to date, owns a 5.79 ERA with a 1.61 WHIP in 28 innings (six starts) so far.

The Rays plan to use Michael Wacha in long relief once Hill exits his start Sunday against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hill will be pitching on five days' rest, with his placement on the COVID-19 injured list earlier this weekend due to vaccine-related side effects not pushing him off his regular turn in the rotation. That said, the fact that the Rays are having Wacha -- who worked five innings in his last start Tuesday -- on hand in relief could hint that Hill may not be asked to work especially deep into Sunday's game. Manager Kevin Cash hasn't suggested that a tandem-start arrangement between Hill and Wacha is in the forecast, so Hill remains the safer bet of the two to cover the majority of the innings.

Wacha will be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's game against the Astros and is expected to enter the contest once starter Rich Hill exits, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash hasn't specified whether Hill and Wacha would be deployed as tandem starters, or if Wacha will merely be tasked with covering an inning or two once Hill's day is done. Regardless, the move to the bullpen -- even if only temporary -- will take Wacha out of the mix for starting in any of the Rays' four games against the Angels to begin the upcoming week. The recent addition of rookie Shane McClanahan gives the Rays six starting options, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the team will deviate from a five-man rotation.

The Blue Jays will activate Stripling (forearm) from the 10-day injured list to start Sunday's game against Atlanta, Ben Wagner of Sportsnet reports.

Toronto will clear a spot on the 26-man roster for Stripling by moving catcher Alejandro Kirk (hip) to the 10-day IL. Stripling, who had been sidelined for the last three-plus weeks with a right forearm strain, could have a limited pitch count in his first start since April 8, making him a relatively unappealing streaming option.

Urquidy (2-2) won his second straight start Saturday, allowing four hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings against the Rays.

Urquidy was efficient and in control, dominating the Rays and working from ahead in the count. He threw 68 strikes among his 91 pitches, and Tampa hitters swung and missed 12 times. At the behest of pitching coach Brent Strom, Urquidy hurried his tempo between pitches and it produced desired results, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. "I'm trying to get a good rhythm with my body," Urquidy said. "I'm trying to not lose my focus and not lose the strike zone. To get that I have to be a little quicker with my movements." The Rays averaged an exit velocity of just 87.6 mph on 20 balls in play against Urquidy, who didn't throw more than 16 pitches in an inning. He's next slated to pitch at home against the Blue Jays.

Kopech allowed one hit and struck out three over three scoreless innings in Saturday's 7-3 win over Cleveland.

Kopech pitched for the first time since a five-inning start last Sunday and picked up his first hold of the season. The right-hander continues to dominate whether as a starter or reliever. He's started twice, but the White Sox are largely sticking to the plan of using him for multiple-inning stints out of the bullpen. Kopech has a 1.45 ERA and 0.64 WHIP with a 30:4 K:BB while holding opponents to a .125 batting average in 18.2 innings.