MLB Player News

Flaherty (back) is expected to make his next start during the Tigers' three-game series in Houston that begins Friday, MLB.com reports.

Flaherty was forced out of his most recent start against the Rangers this past Tuesday, when he tossed five scoreless innings before being lifted on account of back tightness. The right-hander downplayed his injury when he addressed the media after the game and said that he expected to make his next start in Tuesday's series opener versus the Nationals, but the Tigers have since elected to err on the side of caution and give Flaherty a few extra days to recover. Detroit will take advantage of Monday's off day to reshuffle the rotation, with Kenta Maeda, Reese Olson and Casey Mize picking up starts Tuesday through Thursday before Flaherty and ace Tarik Skubal start the first two games of the series in Houston in some order. Though Flaherty looks like he won't be operating under any restrictions against the Astros after playing catch Friday and throwing a bullpen session Sunday without issue, the change in the pitching order means that he'll miss out on a two-start week.

Macko could get promoted to Triple-A Buffalo in the near future, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old southpaw, acquired from Seattle two offseasons ago, is having a strong campaign with Double-A New Hampshire thanks to improved control. He's found another gear over the last month, posting a 2.81 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 46:7 K:BB through his last six starts and 32 innings. Macko features a mid-90s fastball and a big curveball, but it's the development of his changeup and sweeper that will determine whether he can ultimately thrive in a big-league rotation.

Scherzer (back/arm) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five over four scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Scherzer restarted a rehab assignment after experiencing a setback late in April. He cruised through 53 pitches (37 strikes), induced 14 whiffs, and registered a fastball velocity of 94.8 mph, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

Maeda (abdomen) is listed as the Tigers' probable pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Nationals at Comerica Park.

Maeda threw just two pitches before he exited his most recent start last Wednesday against the Rangers due to right abdominal discomfort, resulting in the Tigers going with an impromptu bullpen day featuring five relievers. Fortunately for the veteran right-hander and the Tigers, Maeda appears to have come out of the abbreviated start with little more than mild soreness, and he'll be ready to make his next turn through the rotation on five days' rest. After inking a two-year, $24 million deal this winter, Maeda has gotten off to a rough start to his tenure with the Tigers, logging a 6.25 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 40.1 innings while also spending time on the injured list due to a viral illness.

Gil did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in 5.2 innings.

Gil held the Dodgers in check through the first four innings, but they broke through in the fifth on a two-run double from Mookie Betts. Teoscar Hernandez would add to that with a solo home run in the sixth, leading to Gil's exit. Sunday was the first time Gil had given up more than one run in a start since he allowed five against the Brewers on April 26. The Yankees are now 11-2 in games started by Gil, and he'll carry a magnificent 2.04 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 90:35 K:BB (75 innings) into a showdown versus the Red Sox over the weekend.

Varland and Caleb Boushley are the two leading candidates to be called up from Triple-A St. Paul to make a spot start Tuesday against the Rockies in Minnesota, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins will give each member of their rotation an extra day of rest between starts by adding a spot starter in the mix Tuesday. Varland hasn't had much success in the minors since he lost the Twins' fifth-starter role and was sent to Triple-A in April. He owns a 5.31 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 44:14 K:BB in 40.2 innings at St. Paul this season.

Ragans allowed a run on three hits and a walk over six innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out nine during the loss to Seattle.

Ragans served up a leadoff home run to J.P. Crawford on just the fourth pitch of the game but was otherwise dominant despite not earning a win. After the homer, Ragans struck out seven of the next 10 batters he faced. It was his second straight quality start and fourth in his last five appearances. He forced a season-high 22 whiffs, including 11 with his changeup. Ragans lowered his ERA to 3.08 alongside a 98:25 K:BB through 79 innings. His next start is expected to be against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Kirby allowed a run on five hits over seven innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out four during the win over the Royals.

The lone run to score on Kirby came via a sacrifice bunt in the fifth inning. After a shaky stretch in May, he's back to looking like his usual self recently; over his last three starts, Kirby has posted a 2.00 ERA and 21:1 K:BB. He was in line for the win after his seventh quality start of 2024 before the Royals tied up the game in the ninth inning. Kirby is now sporting a 3.81 ERA with a terrific 78:7 K:BB through 80.1 frames. His next start is lined up to be at home against the Rangers.

Eovaldi (3-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over seven innings against the Giants. He struck out five.

Eovaldi was staked to a 5-0 lead after two innings and cruised through seven, merely allowing single runs in each of the third and fourth innings as he rolled to his third victory. More importantly, he was also extended to near his full workload, completing seven innings on 90 pitches after tossing 37 and 71 in his previous two starts following a nearly four-week stint on the IL with a groin injury. It was the seventh start out of 10 for Eovaldi with at least five innings while allowing two or fewer runs. He'll carry a 2.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP into his next start, likely to take place next weekend when the Rangers travel to Seattle for a showdown against the Mariners.

Arrighetti (calf) is listed as the Astros' probable starter for Monday's game against the Giants in San Francisco.

After he took a line drive off his left calf and was lifted after three innings in his most recent start against the Cardinals this past Tuesday, Arrighetti's availability for this week had been in some doubt. Fortunately for the rookie right-hander, he was dealing with nothing more than a bruise to his calf and made solid progress in his recovery in the days after he suffered the injury. He's not expected to face any major restrictions with his pitch count Monday for the front end of what's expected to be a two-start week, with his second turn through the rotation set to come next Sunday versus the Tigers.