MLB Player News

Johnson (hamstring/illness) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

A viral infection sent Johnson to the injured list April 6, and he later suffered a hamstring injury while making a start in extended spring training. The 23-year-old righty said Saturday that he's recovered from both issues and has been facing hitters at the Angels' complex in Arizona, per Jack Janes of TheSportingTribune.com, so his return date will depend on how quickly he can ramp up his workload.

Prielipp completed five innings against Toronto in a no-decision Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four batters.

Prielipp gave up a pair of solo homers in the second inning but was otherwise unscored upon. The rookie lefty needed 91 pitches (59 strikes) to get through his five innings but walked an acceptable two batters and notched 10 whiffs en route to four punchouts. Prielipp has yet to complete more than five innings in any of his three starts so far, but he's holding his own in the majors with a 3.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 14 frames. He's up with the team while Mick Abel (elbow) resides on the injured list, but Prielipp is pitching well enough to at least make Minnesota think about his spot on the big-league roster long term.

Cease (2-1) earned the win over Minnesota on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over seven innings.

Cease had a bit of a rough beginning to his outing, serving up a leadoff homer to Byron Buxton in the bottom of the first inning and giving up two more runs (one of which was unearned) in the second. He settled down from there but still trailed 4-3 following his seventh and final frame. However, Toronto's offense came through for the right-hander, putting up eight runs in the top of the eighth to line him up for the victory. Cease struck out seven and racked up 16 whiffs, and he's second overall in the majors this season with 56 punchouts over 38.1 frames. He's been an impactful starter for fantasy managers, complementing his big strikeout total with a 3.05 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

Bradish (1-4) took the loss against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters over four innings.

Bradish lacked both control and command in the outing, as he walked four batters (one intentionally), hurled a wild pitch and surrendered two homers. The five runs were the most he's given up in a start so far this season, and it was the second straight game in which the righty has issued four free passes. Bradish has struggled in the latter regard this season -- his 21 walks are tied for fourth-most in the majors, though he's at least managed to somewhat balance the free passes with 35 strikeouts over 34 innings. In any case, Bradish's 5.03 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and .304 BAA aren't getting the job done, but he'll try to get on track in what projects to be a home matchup versus the Athletics his next time out.

Weathers (2-2) earned the win over Baltimore on Saturday, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five-plus innings.

Weathers looked like he was destined for a quality start when he entered the sixth frame with a 6-1 lead, but he gave up back-to-back singles to begin that inning and was pulled after a Ben Rice error loaded the bases for Baltimore. Two of the runners he put on base ended up scoring, but neither of those runs were earned. Weathers notched 10 whiffs on his 90 pitches and gave up only one extra-base hit -- a Pete Alonso solo homer. The lefty hurler has given up two or fewer earned runs in five of his seven starts this season, leading to a tidy 3.03 ERA along with a 1.19 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB over 38.2 frames. Weathers' next start lines up to be a home matchup against Texas.

The Tigers designated Curet for assignment Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Curet has made just one appearance at Triple-A this season, during which he allowed three runs (one earned) while walking three batters and striking out one in two-thirds of an inning. He'll end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Ricky Vanasco, who was selected to the big-league squad Saturday.

Gray (hamstring) threw a live batting practice session Friday, Tim Crowley of MLB.com reports.

Gray got up and down three times during the session in what was an encouraging development for the Red Sox's rotation. Interim manager Chad Tracy was pleased with how Gray looked during the live session and will consult with others to determine the right-hander's next steps. Gray landed on the 15-day injured list following an abbreviated start April 20 and is eligible to return Wednesday.

The Athletics recalled Morales from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Morales was optioned to Triple-A on April 4 after giving up 10 earned runs in just 7.1 innings across his first two starts. His performance at Las Vegas hasn't been much better (8.76 ERA, 2.23 WHIP), but the A's will bring him back to the big leagues nonetheless to replace Brady Basso. Eleven of Morales' 12 career major-league appearances have been as a starter; however, his recent struggles make it likely that he works in long relief while with the A's.

The Athletics optioned Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Basso made three appearances after being promoted from Triple-A on April 20, allowing two earned runs on five hits and a walk over 2.2 innings. He'll aim to get back on track in the minors; meanwhile, the A's will call up Luis Morales to replace Basso and give their bullpen a fresh arm.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said that Gibson will be called up from Triple-A Norfolk to start Sunday's game against the Yankees in New York, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 23-year-old ranks as one of the top pitching prospects in Baltimore's system and has posted a 4.01 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through 24.2 innings (six starts) with Triple-A Norfolk this season. The Orioles don't have an opening in their rotation past Sunday and could get Trevor Rogers (illness) back from the injured list in mid-May, so Gibson will likely return to Triple-A after making his MLB debut.