MLB Player News

The Tigers optioned Montero to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Montero threw five innings in bulk relief during the Tigers' 8-4 loss in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Pirates. The right-hander has amassed a 4.02 ERA and 39:20 K:BB across 56 innings this season. Dylan Smith was up as the 27th man, but it's Montero who goes to Triple-A. Smith's arm is fresher after throwing just 23 pitches across two innings Thursday.

Francis (shoulder) received a cortisone shot recently and will be shut down from throwing for "a few more days," Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Francis was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right shoulder impingement and has yet to resume throwing after receiving a cortisone shot. Without a timetable for return, Francis' recovery will likely stretch into July.

Cobb (hip) is scheduled to throw his next bullpen session Saturday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Cobb received an injection to address left hip inflammation June 13, and after a week-long shutdown period, he's been cleared to resume throwing off a mound. Assuming he doesn't endure another setback, Cobb should head back out on a rehab assignment within a week or two. He remains on the Tigers' 60-day injured list and has yet to make his 2025 debut with the big club.

The White Sox placed Martin on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right forearm strain.

The right-hander was penciled in to start Friday against the Blue Jays, but he's instead landed on the IL. Martin will be eligible to return from the shelf in early July, but given the nature of the injury, he could wind up missing more than the minimum 15 days. Chicago has yet to announce a replacement starter for Friday's contest.

Means (elbow) has begun throwing off a mound, MLB.com reports.

Means is attempting to come back from a second Tommy John surgery and could return late in the 2025 regular season. He'll continue his throwing progression but has not yet taken the mound for a bullpen session, and there's no timeline yet for the 32-year-old southpaw to begin a rehab assignment.

Bieber (elbow) has resumed playing catch, MLB.com reports.

Bieber was given the good news that he could resume throwing, and playing catch is the first step toward resuming the rehab assignment that began May 31. The assignment was paused when the right-hander felt soreness in his elbow, but tests revealed it was merely normal post-surgery discomfort. The next step in his build-up should be a bullpen session, before the Guardians restart Bieber's rehab stint.

Gordon allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Thursday.

The long ball was again a problem for Gordon, who gave up solo home runs to Willie MacIver and Lawrence Butler in the second inning. This was the third time in four starts where Gordon has given up multiple homers, though he's done a decent job of limiting the damage when he can keep the ball down. He's yet to give up more than four runs in any start, but he's also pitched into the sixth inning just twice. He's at a 4.54 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 34:5 K:BB through 35.2 innings, and it's that sharp control that could eventually help him find success. Gordon has a tough matchup ahead, as his next start is projected to be at home versus the Phillies.

Lopez allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Thursday.

Lopez earned his third quality start of the year, and he's allowed just two runs (one earned) over 16 innings across his last three appearances. He's struck out nine batters in three of his last four starts. Lopez is now at a 4.25 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 49:16 K:BB through 36 innings over 10 appearances (six starts) this season. The southpaw has pitched well enough to maintain a spot in the Athletics' rotation, but he's projected for a tough road matchup versus the Tigers next week.

Rasmussen (6-5) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Orioles.

Rasmussen pitched well for the most part, but he allowed a leadoff single to Gunnar Henderson in the sixth inning that sparked Baltimore's rally. Reliever Edwin Uceta couldn't stop the bleeding, and after he allowed the inherited runner to score, Rasmussen ended up taking his first loss since May 11. He had allowed just six runs over 34 innings across his previous six starts, and Thursday's effort was by no means a bad performance. The right-hander has maintained a 2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 67:18 K:BB over 79.1 innings through 15 starts this season. Rasmussen is projected for a road start in Kansas City his next time out.

Morton (4-7) allowed one run on six hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win Thursday over the Rays.

Morton gave up the opening run, a Danny Jansen RBI single in the third inning, but that was it. This was Morton's third quality start in his last five outings since rejoining the rotation May 26 versus the Cardinals. During that span, the veteran right-hander has earned all of his wins on the year while allowing just eight runs (seven earned) over 26 innings. His ERA is down to 5.64 with a 1.60 WHIP and 74:32 K:BB through 67 innings over 17 appearances (11 starts) this season. Morton is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rangers.