MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) will make a rehab start at Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

McCullers will move down a level after making his first rehab start Sunday at Triple-A Sugar Land, during which he gave up two earned runs over two innings while throwing 35 pitches. The 31-year-old may look to tack on another inning to his workload during his upcoming Double-A start as he works toward appearing in his first MLB game in more than two years.

The Mariners optioned Hancock to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Hancock couldn't make it out of the first inning during his season debut Monday, surrendering six earned runs on seven hits and a walk while recording just two outs en route to taking a loss to the Tigers. He'll now head to Triple-A in order to right the ship. Seattle called up Jhonathan Diaz from Tacoma in a corresponding move, and while he'll provide depth in the bullpen in the short term, he could be a candidate to fill the vacant spot in the rotation when Seattle next requires a fifth starter.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Tuesday that Gausman's next start is likely to come Friday against the Mets, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Easton Lucas is tentatively lined up to start Wednesday against the Nationals in place of Max Scherzer (thumb), as long as Lucas not needed in relief Tuesday. Gausman would be pitching on seven days' rest if he does indeed take the ball Friday.

Scherzer has been given a cortisone injection in his injured right thumb, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The hope is that the injection will help reduce inflammation and discomfort in the thumb. Scherzer was placed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend, and when he will resume throwing will be determined based on how the thumb responds to rest and the injection.

Schmidt (shoulder) threw 46 pitches over a three-inning simulated game Monday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Schmidt will throw again Saturday, although it's not clear yet in what capacity. The right-hander is working his way back from rotator cuff tendinitis and is tracking toward a season debut in mid-April.

The Astros transferred Javier (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Nick Robertson, who was acquired via trade Tuesday. Javier's timetable for making his season debut won't change as a result of the transaction, as he is not expected to return until the second half of the season as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.

The Rays placed Faedo on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right shoulder inflammation.

Faedo opened the season on the shelf after reporting discomfort in his shoulder following his final Grapefruit League appearance March 12. He's eligible to return from the IL beginning next Tuesday, but since he's currently shut down from throwing, Faedo is likely multiple weeks away from making his Rays debut.

The Mariners placed Kirby (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Seattle hasn't provided any official updates on Kirby's status since he was placed on the IL last week, but the right-hander was able to resume his throwing program March 21 after he was briefly shut down due to shoulder inflammation. Kirby is eligible to return from the IL next Tuesday, but he looks like he'll need more time beyond that to complete his throwing progression and get fully stretched out for starting duty. Emerson Hancock secured a spot in the Mariners' Opening Day rotation as a result of Kirby's injury.

Giolito (hamstring) is scheduled to make his first rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Giolito is one of two injured Red Sox starters heading out on a rehab assignment with Worcester this week, as Brayan Bello (shoulder) is slated to pitch Tuesday. According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Giolito is expected to cover around three innings Wednesday, and he'll likely make two more rehab starts after that before being activated from the 15-day injured list. The right-hander looks on pace to rejoin the rotation in the second half of April.

The Yankees transferred Brubaker (rib) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Brubaker has yet to make his Yankees debut since being acquired from the Pirates last March, as he missed the entire 2024 season while completing his recovery from April 2023 Tommy John surgery. He appeared poised to come off the IL after the All-Star break last season, but an oblique strain suffered during his rehab assignment thwarted those plans. Brubaker then returned to full health in advance of spring training, only to get drilled by a line drive in his first Grapefruit League appearance Feb. 21 and sustaining three rib fractures on his left side. The right-hander has yet to resume baseball activities since suffering the injury, so the Yankees were comfortable moving him to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Adam Ottavino. Brubaker won't be eligible to return from the IL until late May.