MLB Player News

Ragans (groin) is throwing a two-up bullpen Wednesday and is then expected to make a rehab start this weekend, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans has been on the injured list since May 17 and becomes eligible for reinstatement Sunday, but it seems as though he'll need more time before rejoining the active roster. The Royals haven't announced their full plans, but the left-hander may only need one rehab start before being activated given the brevity of his absence.

Lugo (finger) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Tigers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

After being placed on the shelf May 17 due to a right middle finger sprain, Lugo healed quickly and will rejoin the Kansas City rotation when first eligible. Prior to being deactivated, Lugo accumulated a 3.02 ERA and a 42:15 K:BB over 56.2 innings.

Cecconi (groin) is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Angels, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was scratched from his start Wednesday against the Dodgers due to mild groin tightness, but his outing will only end up being pushed back a few days. The injury results in a more favorable matchup for Cecconi, who has a 3.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB in his first two starts after opening the season on the injured list due to an oblique strain.

Rodriguez (lat/elbow) has started throwing on flat ground but remains without a timetable for return, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reported Wednesday.

Rodriguez has been on the injured list since spring training, though an April 23 diagnosis of a lat strain threw a wrench in his recovery from elbow inflammation. The 25-year-old isn't likely to rejoin the Orioles' rotation until the second half of the season, but the fact he's started up his throwing program is an encouraging development.

The Royals selected Hoffmann's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Hoffmann has had an excellent start to the 2025 campaign at Omaha, logging a 2.84 ERA and a 37:9 K:BB over 25.1 innings spanning 19 appearances. The 25-year-old will make his MLB debut if he gets into a game, and he should be a middle-inning arm for the Royals. Evan Sisk was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Bradish (elbow) said Wednesday he's about halfway through his bullpen progression and is hoping to throw live BP in early July, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Bradish's recovery from Tommy John surgery continues to go smoothly, and he's set a target goal for the next step in his progression. If he begins facing live hitters in early July and goes out on a minor-league rehab assignment shortly thereafter, he could be back with the Orioles in August.

Manager Joe Espada said Arrighetti (thumb) played catch Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Arrighetti has officially resumed a throwing program, playing catch for the first time since suffering a fractured right thumb April 7. It's an encouraging step in his recovery, and certainly one welcomed by the Astros, who just lost Ronel Blanco (elbow) for the season. Still, Arrighetti isn't expected to be reinstated until July.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Blanco (elbow) will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The team announced that Blanco would be undergoing season-ending elbow surgery Wednesday but didn't supply the specifics regarding the procedure. It's now known that Blanco will require Tommy John surgery, which will likely force him to miss a significant portion of the 2026 campaign. Colton Gordon should hold down Blanco's spot in the rotation until the Astros get Luis Garcia (elbow) or Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) back from the injured list.

Cobb (hip) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with High-A West Michigan, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cobb completed a bullpen session Monday and seems to be feeling good enough to see in-game action. The 37-year-old has been battling inflammation in his right hip since February, meaning he will likely require several starts in the minors to prepare for his return. He's not expected back until late June.

Blanco (elbow) will undergo surgery next week and will be sidelined for the rest of the 2025 season, the Astros announced Wednesday.

Blanco reported soreness in his throwing elbow on May 19 and hit the injured list May 22 with elbow inflammation. Houston sought out a second opinion on the 31-year-old's injury, which yielded severe enough results to require season-ending surgery. It's unclear if he will have traditional Tommy John surgery or a hybrid internal brace procedure. Colton Gordon should fill Blanco's spot in the rotation until Luis Garcia (elbow) or Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) are reinstated from the IL, which isn't expected to happen until late June or July. Blanco finishes 2025 with a 3-4 record, a 4.10 ERA and 48:20 K:BB in 48.1 innings spanning nine starts.