MLB Player News

Rodriguez (back) is slated to make his next rehab appearance Wednesday for Triple-A Buffalo as a reliever, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Though Rodriguez has started in each of his last three rehab outings, the Blue Jays want to have the right-hander get comfortable with working out of the bullpen in case he ends up being deployed in that capacity upon returning from the 15-day injured list. Even while he's set to come on in relief Wednesday, Rodriguez is still expected to increase his workload, as he's being targeted for around 55 pitches. If all goes well Wednesday, Rodriguez could make his next appearance with the Blue Jays, potentially as a replacement in the rotation for the injured Alek Manoah (elbow). Bowden Francis (forearm) also appears on track to return from the IL in the near future, and he and Rodriguez could end up forming a tandem for the fifth spot in the rotation if the Blue Jays don't want to commit to either as a traditional starter.

Kremer (triceps) threw a light bullpen session Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It's the first time Kremer has thrown a bullpen since being placed on the injured list May 21 due to a right triceps strain. The 28-year-old right-hander is eligible to return from the IL on June 5, though general manager Mike Elias noted Monday that Kremer will need a rehab assignment before returning to the majors. Before his injury, Kremer posted a 3-4 record over nine starts with a 4.32 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 50 innings.

Means underwent successful Tommy John surgery Monday in Texas to repair a torn UCL in his left elbow, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Means will need 12-to-18 months to recover from the procedure, and given that he previously had the procedure in April 2022, it's reasonable to expect him to trend toward the longer end of that timetable. The veteran southpaw has now seen three straight seasons come to an early end, as he was previously held out during the Orioles' playoff run last fall when he experienced renewed soreness in the surgically repaired elbow. Even though his elbow checked out fine over the offseason, the Orioles chose to slow play Means to begin the 2024 campaign, but it wasn't long before he experienced another flareup. Means made just four starts for the Orioles prior to landing on the 15-day injured list last Thursday with a forearm strain.

Urquidy (forearm) is expected to meet with Dr. Keith Meister this week and could be recommended to undergo the second Tommy John surgery of his career, Alden Gonzalez and Jeff Passan of ESPN.com report.

Urquidy's consultation with Dr. Meister will be a second opinion, as he previously had his forearm evaluated by a specialist when he was pulled off his rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land in late May. The right-hander has spent all season on the Astros' injured list after being shut down in mid-March with a right forearm strain, but he appeared to be closing in on a return before experiencing renewed discomfort during his third rehab outing. Urquidy, who previously missed the 2017 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, will hope to avoid another such procedure, but even if he's able to recover from the injury with additional rest and rehab, a return from the IL will still likely be several weeks down the road in a best-case scenario.

High-A Asheville placed Taylor on its 60-day injured list May 20 due to an unspecified injury.

According to Kenny Van Doren of MLB.com, Taylor sustained the injury in his May 7 start, when he left early after being visited on the mound by a trainer. The nature of the 22-year-old right-hander's injury still isn't known, but he looks like he'll be sidelined at until around the All-Star break while he recovers. Taylor had turned in a 5.27 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB across 13.2 innings with Asheville before he was shut down.

Eovaldi will start Monday's game against the Tigers at Globe Life Field.

Eovaldi returned from the 15-day injured list last Tuesday and took back his spot in the Texas rotation, but he covered just three innings and tossed 37 pitches in the Rangers' 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks. Because Eovaldi didn't go on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated, the Rangers deliberately limited his workload in what was his first start since May 2. Eovaldi didn't report any renewed discomfort with his right groin coming out of the outing against the Diamondbacks, so he should be in store for a more typical starter's workload Monday.

Mahle (elbow) is expected to face live hitters Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Mahle has been throwing bullpen sessions over the past few weeks, and facing live hitters appears to be just another step in the recovery process. It's been a little more than a year since the right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery, and Mahle isn't expected to be ready for game action until some point after the All-Star break.

Gray (groin) is scheduled to face live hitters Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

A clearer indication of when Gray could return from the 15-day injured list should emerge following Monday's session. At the time of his placement on the IL, the right-hander wasn't expected to miss much more than the minimum 15 days. Per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, Gray could be an option to rejoin the Texas rotation as soon as Friday versus the Giants if Monday's live session goes off without a hitch.

Scherzer (back/arm) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

After throwing about 25 pitches during Saturday's session, Scherzer gave a thumbs-up when he arrived at the clubhouse Sunday. Depending on how he recovers and how his conversations with the training staff go, Scherzer could face live batters Monday. Scherzer could then resume a rehab assignment soon thereafter.

Eflin (back) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Sunday's session was Eflin's second bullpen in the last four days. He threw two simulated innings and came away feeling good. The Rays haven't confirmed a date for Eflin's return from the 15-day injured list, but he could be activated as soon as Wednesday to start in the Rays' series finale in Miami.