MLB Player News

Bieber (elbow) struck out two batters and was charged with five earned runs on six hits and no walks across 2.1 innings in his rehab start Sunday with Single-A Dunedin.

After tossing two scoreless innings in his first rehab start last Monday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, Bieber jumped up a level for his second minor-league appearance. While Bieber ended up taking a step back from a results standpoint, he was at least able to push his pitch count up to 49 and while inducing nine swings and misses on his 35 strikes. The right-hander also averaged 92.1 mph with his fastball, a half-tick behind his average from the 2025 season. While he continues to work his way back from inflammation in his surgically repaired elbow, Bieber will likely need to build up to around 70-to-80 pitches in the minors before getting cleared to make his 2026 debut for Toronto. He looks to be trending toward a return from the 60-day injured list in the second half of June.

Scherzer (forearm/ankle) struck out four and allowed no hits and two walks over three scoreless innings in his first rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Buffalo.

Making his first start at any level since April 24 after landing on the shelf due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation, Scherzer delivered an encouraging performance. He tossed 41 pitches (24 strikes) in the outing and induced seven whiffs on the afternoon while averaging 93.3 mph with his fastball. Though Scherzer is lined up for the open spot in the Toronto rotation for next weekend's series versus the Orioles, the Blue Jays may want to see him build up his pitch count over one more minor-league start before bringing him back from the 15-day injured list.

The Athletics are expected to call up Morris from Triple-A Las Vegas during the upcoming week, Chris Correa of the Turlock Journal repots.

The 23-year-old will receive his first call to the big leagues after posting a 4.45 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 49 strikeouts over 60.2 innings in 11 starts with Las Vegas. The Athletics are planning to option left-hander Jacob Lopez to Triple-A on Monday, and his demotion could clear the way for Morris to claim one of the two vacant spots in the Athletics rotation. Gage Jump and Jeffrey Springs are the Athletics' confirmed starters for the first two games of the team's upcoming series in Chicago, but Morris could be a candidate to make a start in Thursday's finale versus the Cubs or during next weekend's series in Houston.

Warren (7-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing three runs (none earned) on six hits and three walks over six innings in a 13-8 victory over the Athletics. He struck out five.

Facilitated by a Trent Grisham error, Warren was charged with three unearned runs in the first inning but settled in nicely afterward, firing five scoreless frames. Sunday marked the right-hander's second consecutive quality start and fifth of the season. Warren will carry a 3.22 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 70:19 K:BB across 64.1 innings (12 outings) into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Red Sox.

The Athletics plan to option Lopez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Lopez fell apart in the third frame of Sunday's 13-8 loss to the Yankees, allowing seven earned runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts over two-plus innings. After the game, manager Mark Kotsay indicated that the Athletics were hoping to get five or six innings out of Lopez on Sunday, but the lefty's inability to work deep into the start in addition to a mental miscue of not covering first base during a play in the third inning will result in him being demoted. The 28-year-old has largely struggled in 2026, posting a 4-3 record with a 6.75 ERA and 1.84 WHIP across 50.2 innings (12 appearances). The Athletics will now have two openings in their rotation during the upcoming week, as Luis Severino (shoulder) was moved to the injured list Saturday.

Castillo (2-5) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts over five innings of relief, earning the win despite taking a blown save Sunday versus the Diamondbacks.

Castillo couldn't hold the 1-0 lead in the sixth inning after Bryce Miller's five frames of one-hit ball. This was still a positive showing for Castillo, who has given up just four runs (three earned) over 11.1 innings while adding a 13:6 K:BB over his last three appearances. He has a 5.53 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 56:22 K:BB across 55.1 innings through 12 outings (10 starts) this year. The Mariners' fifth spot in the rotation is set to come up again on the road versus the Tigers -- if the team continues to deploy a tandem, Castillo and Miller would likely share another game despite the pitchers' discomfort with the ongoing arrangement.

Miller allowed a hit and a walk while striking out six over five scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Miller threw 52 of 71 pitches for strikes, making this his lightest workload in four appearances (three starts) since he returned from an oblique injury. He continues to pitch well, but the Mariners are taking plenty of caution with his limited pitch counts. Miller worked in a tandem with Luis Castillo, who allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts over the last five frames of the extra-inning win. Both pitchers have expressed some dislike for the tandem approach, but it's led to positive results for two consecutive turns through the rotation. Miller has an excellent 1.71 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB over 21 innings this season. If the pitching tandem continues, Miller will get the ball at some point during next weekend's series in Detroit.

Montero took a no-decision Sunday against the White Sox, allowing no runs on two hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out four.

Montero was cruising along on the hill Sunday, so it was somewhat surprising to see the Tigers pull him after he threw just 65 pitches (46 strikes). Sunday was the second time this year that the 25-year-old right-hander spun six innings of two-hit ball, and it was also the fourth time already this season that he pitched at least six frames while yielding one run or zero. Montero has emerged as a serviceable member of Detroit's rotation in 2026, posting a 3.69 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB across 61 innings.

Leiter (3-4) earned the win over the Royals on Sunday, allowing three hits and two walks across 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out 10.

Leiter fell one out short of qualifying for a quality start, but the right-hander was excellent as he stifled the Royals offense. The 26-year-old matched a season high with 10 strikeouts and recorded his second scoreless outing of the year. Leiter has been up-and-down throughout 2026, culminating in a 4.34 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 74:28 K:BB across 66.1 innings (12 appearances). His next start is tentatively slated for Saturday against the Guardians.

Wacha (4-3) took the loss Sunday against the Rangers, allowing six runs on eight hits and four walks across five innings. He struck out five.

Wacha got into trouble early, surrendering three extra-base hits that contributed to a four-run first inning for the Rangers. After permitting another pair of runs in the fourth frame, the right-hander tied a season high with six runs allowed. Despite the poor showing Sunday, the veteran's numbers on the season remain strong with a 3.23 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 65:26 K:BB across 75.1 innings (12 starts). His next outing is tentatively scheduled for Friday against the Twins.