MLB Player News

Kremer (tricep) struck out three and allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk over 3.2 innings in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Norfolk.

Kremer spotted 37 of his 59 pitches in the rehab outing, his first since he was placed on the 15-day injured list May 21 with a right tricep strain. The Orioles haven't decided on Kremer's next step, but since teams typically want rehabbing starters to hit the 70-to-75-pitch mark prior to being activated, the right-hander could be in line for one more start with Norfolk or another affiliate during the upcoming week.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) could pitch either Wednesday or Thursday against the White Sox in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Manager Joe Espada suggested earlier in the day that Verlander could rejoin the rotation for the Chicago series, and Brown's comments help further narrow down a potential return date for the 41-year-old righty. Verlander was unable to make his scheduled start Saturday versus the Tigers after experiencing neck discomfort during his bullpen session Wednesday, prompting the Astros to push both Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco ahead in the pitching schedule. The extra rest appears to have done Verlander some good, as he was able to play catch prior to Sunday's series finale with Detroit. He'll likely try to throw another bullpen session Monday or Tuesday before the Astros lock him for a start against the White Sox.

Povich is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Yankees in New York, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

After being roughed up for six earned runs in 5.1 innings in his MLB debut June 6 in Toronto, Povich rebounded nicely in his second start this past Wednesday, when he struck out six Atlanta batters over six scoreless frames. Povich will be rewarded with a third turn through the rotation for his efforts, but he may need another strong showing Wednesday to stick around with the big club. Dean Kremer (triceps) will likely make another rehab start this week before returning from the 15-day injured list thereafter, and Povich could be the odd man out of the rotation when that happens.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Sunday that Scherzer (back/thumb) will return from the 60-day injured list during the upcoming week as long as he experiences no issues bouncing back from his rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock this past Saturday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers will likely officially sign off on Scherzer making his 2024 debut once he throws a bullpen session in front of the coaching and training staffs early in the week, but all signs point to the right-hander being ready to slot back into the rotation with a limited workload restriction, if he has one at all. In his latest rehab outing with Round Rock on Saturday, Scherzer struck out eight while throwing 79 pitches over 4.2 innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks. Since he had been pitching on five days' rest during his time with Round Rock, Scherzer appears likely to start for the Rangers either Friday or Saturday versus the Royals.

Bradford (rib/back) said June 5 that he has begun playing catch off flat ground from 120 feet, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bradford turned some heads by opening the season with three wins and a 1.40 ERA and 0.62 WHIP through his first three starts, but he's been on the shelf since mid-April with a lower back strain and a small stress fracture of a rib. Nearly two months later, Bradford is finally throwing again, and assuming that he's responding well to long tossing, he could be cleared for bullpen sessions in the next week or two. Bradford is without a clear target date for a return from the 60-day injured list, but he may not have a rotation spot waiting for him once he's activated, as Max Scherzer (back/arm) and Tyler Mahle (elbow) could both rejoin the big club before him.

Woo (forearm) will rejoin the Seattle rotation Wednesday on the road against the Guardians, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Woo was forced to miss his most recent scheduled start this past Tuesday versus the White Sox due to right forearm discomfort. After his MRI came back clean, Woo was cleared to resume throwing and is now set to reclaim his spot in the rotation after getting just under a two-week break from pitching. The 24-year-old opened the campaign on the shelf due to right elbow inflammation, but he's been highly effective when available, producing a sparkling 1.07 ERA and 0.53 WHIP while striking out 24 batters over 33.2 innings in six starts this season.

Lively (6-3) took the loss Sunday against Toronto, yielding four earned runs on six hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out four.

Lively pitched for the first time in eight days after leaving his most recent start with tightness after 65 pitches. He surrendered a two-run home run to Ernie Clement in the second inning, his first home run allowed since May 26. The four earned runs are a season worst for the 32-year-old, who had notched wins in each of his previous five starts. Despite Sunday's rough outing, Lively has pitched well for Cleveland this season, logging a 3.02 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 52:18 K:BB across 59.2 innings pitched. He is currently scheduled for a rematch against Toronto next weekend.

Berrios (6-5) picked up the win Sunday against Cleveland, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and zero walks while striking out one batter over six innings.

Berrios was one out away from recording his 12th quality start of the season, but Daniel Schneemann launched a two-run shot with two outs in the sixth, the only extra-base hit yielded by Berrios. Over his past 10 starts, the 30-year-old has allowed a home run in nine of them, recording a 4.32 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP across 60.1 innings in that span. Berrios will look to bounce back in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend in Cleveland.

Cole (elbow) could be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Wednesday's game versus the Orioles at Yankee Stadium, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

The Yankees have confirmed Nestor Cortes and Luis Gil as their starting pitchers for games Tuesday and Thursday versus Baltimore, but a starter has yet to be made for Wednesday while the club weighs whether to activate Cole for his season debut or to have him make another minor-league rehab start. While shifting his assignment from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Cole delivered a gem in his third rehab outing Friday, striking out 10 over 4.1 innings while allowing one unearned run on two hits and no walks. He tossed 70 pitches in the start, so Cole would likely have a slight cap on his workload if he were to rejoin the New York rotation Wednesday. If the Yankees decide to have Cole make one more start in the minors, Cody Poteet would likely get another turn through the big-league rotation.

Maeda (2-3) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Astros. He gave up four earned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings.

The Astros jumped on Maeda early, plating a run on a pair of base hits in the first inning. Maeda initially looked as though he might not come back for the bottom of the second, as he was struck in the right leg by an 86.7-mile-per-hour Jon Singleton line drive that Maeda gathered and threw to first base for the final out of the first. Maeda limped off the mound and returned for the second, but he served up a three-run home run to Jose Altuve to put the Tigers in a bigger hole. On a positive note, Maeda was able to save the Detroit bullpen a bit, as he faced the minimum nine hitters over the next three frames to get through five innings. Still, the damage was done early, and Maeda has now given up at least four runs in five of his 11 starts this season. The veteran righty will take a 6.02 ERA into his next start, which will likely fall next weekend versus the White Sox.