MLB Player News

Nicasio (knee) threw a bullpen session before Friday's game and could be activated as early as Tuesday when the Mariners begin a road trip in New York, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. "I'm feeling good," Nicasio said after his first time throwing off the mound since he landed on the DL last Thursday. "I'm happy right now because my knee is fine. It's hard when you pitch with one knee."

Nicasio stated he didn't expect to miss more than the minimum 10 days when he first went on the disabled list, and he seems to be on track to meet that goal. The right-handed reliever's knee issues limited his fastball in his last outing June 6 against the Astros, when he failed to record an out. The knee was considerably swollen by the following day, and a subsequent MRI led to the discovery of a pair of bone chips. The hope is the cortisone injection Nicasio has already received as part of his recovery process -- as well as the down time his knee has enjoyed -- will be sufficient to allow him to resume pitching without any limitations. Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports that Nicasio will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, which will likely serve as his final test before he's officially deemed ready for activation.

Lewicki was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after Friday's game, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Lewicki made two starts while Jordan Zimmermann was out with an inujred shoulder and allowed five earned runs on 11 hits and four walks over just 8.2 innings. Zimmermann will make his return to the Tigers rotation Saturday, and he will take Lewicki's roster spot upon activation. Lewicki had some success in a swingman role and may be back, but seeing as he has options remaining, he was the most expendable player on the 25-man roster to make space for Zimmermann.

Perez was moved to the 60-day disabled list Friday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

This is strictly a housekeeping move for the Rangers as it won't impact Perez's return date. The left-hander was put on the disabled list in late April and is expected to begin a rehab assignment within the next couple of weeks after tossing another successful bullpen session recently.

McGuire was claimed off waivers by Texas and will report to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

McGuire was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Saturday after posting a 6.48 ERA across 8.1 innings of relief with the club through four appearances this season. He will likely stay at the minor-league level for the foreseeable future while working out of the rotation.

Nuno, who fired 3.1 scoreless innings in which he allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts during Thursday's loss to the Yankees, now has three scoreless multi-inning outings over his six appearances with the Rays in 2018.

The 30-year-old southpaw is proving increasingly valuable, particularly on a squad where the pitching staff is deployed as liberally as the Rays' is. Nuno boasts a big-league resume that includes 42 career starts, so he's able to essentially fill any role manager Kevin Cash can conjure up. He's been utilized exclusively out of the bullpen thus far in his brief Tampa tenure, although a "bullpen day" start certainly wouldn't be out of the question at some point. Factoring in Thursday's line, Nuno sports an impressive 1.35 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 13.1 innings.

Stroman (shoulder) threw 4.1 innings in a rehab start Wednesday for High-A Dunedin, giving up two runs on one hit and four walks while striking out three.

After completing a three-inning simulated game last weekend without issue, Stroman raised his pitch count to 60 while pitching in an uncontrolled setting for the first time since May 8. The Blue Jays have yet to announce the next step for Stroman, but it's possible that he could be activated from the 10-day disabled list early next week to rejoin the rotation for the team's two-game set against Atlanta. Stroman likely would have a restricted pitch count if he were to start Tuesday or Wednesday, however, which could make the Blue Jays more inclined to have him take the hill once more in the minors before returning from the DL. Expect the Blue Jays to clarify their plans for Stroman at some point over the weekend.

Luzardo has posted a 3.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 54:11 K:BB across 42.2 innings through nine starts since being promoted to Double-A Midland in late April.

While his numbers have predictably taken a hit in his move up from the California League to higher-caliber competition, Luzardo's healthy strikeout rate and 3.16 FIP illustrate that he's continuing to perform at an elite level. The Athletics have been limiting the young lefty to about 80 pitches per start this season, but Luzardo has said that he feels fully recovered from the 2015 Tommy John surgery that delayed his professional debut until 2017. Luzardo's numbers seemingly support that notion, and the 20-year-old has now likely positioned himself for a spot in the Oakland rotation at some point in 2019.

Morton will start Friday's series opener against the Royals.

Morton came unglued in his previous start, walking six and hitting four batters, and enters Friday's start in the midst of his worst stretch of the season. After going 7-0 over his first 10 starts, Morton hasn't won in three outings while posting a 6.00 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. A game against Friday's opponent, the Royals, comes at a perfect time for the struggling right-hander. Kansas City ranks 28th with 3.72 runs per game and 26th with a .684 OPS.

Nicasio (knee) threw again Thursday ahead of a possible bullpen session this weekend, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Nicasio is looking to keep his arm conditioned while managing the swollen right knee that landed him on the disabled list. The veteran reliever is likely to throw a bullpen session this weekend, and he'll likely embark on a short rehab assignment next week if he remains without setbacks.

Snell (8-4) pitched five innings Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight in a 4-3 loss to the Yankees.

Snell had won his last four decisions heading in to this tough matchup, last taking a loss May 13 against Baltimore. That was also the last time he allowed more than two earned runs. Even with the rough outing, the 25-year-old lefty has a stellar 2.58 ERA across 87.1 innings with a 97:29 K:BB. However, things won't get any easier for Snell, as his next start is slated to come Tuesday against the Astros.