MLB Player News

Cole (elbow) is expected to throw live batting practice Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Thursday's session will be Cole's third against hitters and his first since throwing 30 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Saturday. There had been some talk after that session of the right-hander potentially next advancing to a minor-league rehab assignment, but it appears that isn't in the cards quite yet. Still, Cole seems to be progressing well in his recovery from right elbow inflammation and could be back in the Yankees' rotation by the the latter half of June.

Flexen (2-5) allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out six over five innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.

Flexen doesn't have the best command, but he hit a low point for the year with this outing. The right-hander has surrendered 16 runs across 18.1 innings over his last four starts, and Wednesday was the first time in that span he's completed five innings. He's now at a 5.50 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 42:22 K:BB over 54 innings across 12 appearances (10 starts) this season. Flexen is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Cubs.

Ober (5-3) took the loss Wednesday versus the Royals, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out four and walking none over five innings.

Ober gave up hard contact -- Nelson Velazquez hit two home runs and Salvador Perez added a solo shot and an RBI double. This was the first time since his disastrous season debut that Ober allowed multiple homers, though he has yielded seven long balls over his last six starts. He's at a 4.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB through 57 innings over 11 starts this season. Ober's next start is projected to be on the road versus the Yankees.

Lugo (9-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Twins, allowing one run on six hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.

Lugo won five of his six starts in May, allowing just nine runs (eight earned) over 40.1 innings in the month. This was just the fourth time in 12 starts Lugo has allowed nine or more baserunners, as he's been one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors this season. The right-hander is now at a 1.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 66:18 K:BB over 78.1 innings this season. Lugo's next start is projected to be at Cleveland in a battle between the AL Central's two best teams.

Manoah will receive an MRI on his right elbow Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Manoah allowed one hit and struck out three batters in 1.2 innings Wednesday versus the White Sox before right elbow discomfort forced him out of the game early. The Blue Jays will wait for the results of his MRI before making any decisions, but there is a chance the 26-year-old righty will require a trip to the injured list.

The Tigers returned Montero to Triple-A Toledo after Wednesday's doubleheader with the Pirates.

Montero was dealt the loss in his MLB debut after striking out five but giving up four earned runs on five hits and one walk in 4.1 innings in the Tigers' 10-2 loss to the Pirates in the second game of the twin bill. He'll now return to Toledo as organizational rotation depth. The 23-year-old righty owns a 4.40 ERA and 1.49 WHIP through nine starts in the minors, and his rough debut could cause the Tigers to look elsewhere in their farm system if they need to fill a rotation spot later in the season.

Manoah was removed from Wednesday's game against the White Sox in the second inning due right elbow discomfort.

The severity of Manoah's injury isn't immediately apparent, but it was enough to warrant his removal after recording just five outs Wednesday. He is tentatively scheduled to pitch again Tuesday against the Orioles, though a clearer picture of his status for that game will come once the Jays are able to take a closer look at him.

Montero (0-1) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader split with the Pirates, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

Making his MLB debut, Montero showed some flashes of upside but got hit hard when he left the ball up in the zone, serving up a three-run homer to Andrew McCutchen in the third inning and a solo shot to Nick Gonzales in the fourth. Montero got the hook after 87 pitches (56 strikes), and he'll likely head back to Triple-A Toledo following the twin bill. The 23-year-old righty will need to work on his efficiency if he wants to earn a longer look in the majors -- he has yet to complete five innings in any of his 10 starts this season, at any level.

Skubal (7-1) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader split with the Pirates, scattering three hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

The southpaw was dominant once again, as he retired the last 10 batters he faced and didn't allow a Pittsburgh baserunner to get past second base. Skubal generated a whopping 36 called or swinging strikes among his 93 pitches as he produced his eighth quality start of the season, and he'll take a dazzling 2.01 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 80:11 K:BB through 67 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week against the Rangers.

Bassitt (neck) is listed as Toronto's probable starter for Sunday's game against the Pirates, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The veteran right-hander made an early exit from his start Monday against the White Sox after pitching through neck spasms for five scoreless innings. It doesn't appear to be an ongoing issue, and Bassitt will attempt to build on his scoreless-innings streak of 12 frames versus the Pirates.