MLB Player News

Alcantara (biceps) has officially been cleared to start Wednesday in Atlanta after getting through a 25-pitch bullpen session Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Alcantara had to be scratched from a scheduled outing over the weekend with right biceps tendinitis, but he's managed to avoid the injured list and is ready to go. Fantasy managers should have him in their lineups this week.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Houser (groin) will make one more rehab start at Triple-A Nashville prior to being activated from the 15-day injured list, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Though Houser stretched out to 69 pitches and was sharp over his 4.2-inning appearance with Nashville on Sunday, the Brewers will have him build up a little more in the minors. Stashing Houser in the minors for at least another week will also give Milwaukee more time to decide whether to bring him back as their new fifth starter or to stick with Colin Rea in that role. Rea has been solid through his first two starts (4.22 ERA, 0.94 WHIP in 10.2 innings) and will take the hill again Monday versus the Tigers, but he doesn't have much of a recent big-league track record to fall back on compared to Houser.

The Rockies are expected to activate Marquez (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to have him start Wednesday's series finale in Cleveland, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Marquez reportedly responded well to throwing a bullpen session Sunday, his second since landing on the injured list April 12. Rather than having Marquez waste his bullets during a simulated game or minor-league rehab start, the right-hander will slot right back into the big-league rotation when he's first eligible to return from the IL. He could be in store for a lighter workload than usual, however.

Murphy has yet to give up a run with an 11:3 K:BB through two starts and 7.1 innings for Single-A Augusta.

The right-hander won't turn 20 until September, but Murphy has lived up to his first-round pedigree to begin his first full pro season. Atlanta is hoping his athleticism -- he was a two-way player in high school -- will lead to plus command down the road and let his four-pitch mix, highlighted by a low-90s fastball with good movement and a potentially plus curve, play up. Murphy likely won't be rushed through the system given his age, but if everything comes together for him, in a few years he could emerge as a stingy mid-rotation option along the lines of a pre-injury Michael Soroka.

Senzatela (knee) is scheduled to make his first rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Albuquerque, MLB.com reports.

Senzatela was initially lined up to take the hill for Double-A Hartford this past Sunday, but a rainout foiled those plans and pushed his first start back two days. The right-hander is making his way back from the surgery he required last August on his left knee to repair a torn ACL, and because of his lengthy layoff, he'll presumably require at least three rehab starts to get fully stretched out.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Marquez (forearm) completed a second full bullpen session Sunday and is "on track" to return from the 15-day injured list as soon as this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Marquez is eligible to return from the IL as soon as Wednesday's series finale in Cleveland, but Noah Davis is already listed as the team's confirmed starter for that day. As such, a return for this weekend's series versus the Diamondbacks at Coors Field seems more realistic for Marquez, provided the Rockies don't feel that he needs to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand. Whenever Marquez is activated, Austin Gomber (0-4, 12.12 ERA, 2.14 WHIP in four starts) would seem to be most at risk of losing his rotation spot.

Houser (groin) worked 4.2 scoreless innings in his rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Nashville, striking out two while allowing six hits and no walks.

The right-hander built up to 69 pitches (46 strikes) in the third outing of his rehab assignment and was in control throughout the day, as none of the six hits he allowed went for extra bases. Before landing on the injured list prior to Opening Day with a right groin issue, Houser appeared to be ticketed for a bullpen role, but the Brewers now appear to be prepping him for a potential rotation spot with long-term injuries to Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) and Aaron Ashby (shoulder) having already tested the team's depth. For the time being, Colin Rea is locked in as the Brewers' No. 5 starter, but a poor outing Monday versus a weak Detroit offense could result in a demotion back to Triple-A. Houser will likely be the next man up if the Brewers decide to move Rea out of the rotation or if another starter succumbs to an injury.

Abbott was promoted from Double-A Chattanooga to Triple-A Louisville on Monday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

After making 20 starts at Chattanooga a season ago, Abbott returned to the Southern League to begin the 2023 campaign but was able to earn a quick promotion after striking out 36 and walking just three while posting a 1.15 ERA and 0.57 WHIP across 15.2 innings through his three outings. Now at the final rung of the minor-league ladder, the 23-year-old lefty could have a realistic chance at making his MLB debut later this season if he can continue to make bats miss and limit walks in the International League.

Burnes did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Red Sox after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

Burnes needed 48 pitches to get through the first two innings and got the Brewers into a quick 3-0 hole. He settled in after that, allowing just two base runners the rest of the way. Burnes mentioned after the game that he was not bothered by the pec issue that forced him out of his last start but seemed to battle through some command issues during the outing. Aside from his one outstanding performance against the Diamondbacks, Burnes has been pretty underwhelming for the price tag he was going for in drafts. The 28-year-old now sports a 4.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 22:10 K:BB over 27.2 innings. His strikeouts aren't happening as frequent as years past and his walks have crept up. He'll look to get back in the win column in a projected matchup against the Angels next weekend.

Corbin (1-3) took the loss Sunday against the Twins after allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

Corbin was handed an early lead after the Nationals got on the board in the opening frame, but the team managed just three hits, leaving him with little room for error. The 33-year-old escaped with the bases loaded in the second but gave the lead up in the fourth after surrendering solo home runs to Jorge Polanco and Michael Taylor. The Twins tacked on an insurance run in the fifth before Corbin finished up his outing with a clean sixth. The southpaw has now pitched back-to-back quality starts, and he also racked up a season-high six strikeouts Sunday. He sits at a 5.88 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and a 19:8 K:BB over 26 innings, and tentatively lines up to face the Pirates at home next weekend.