MLB Player News

Imanaga was removed from his start Tuesday against the Pirates due to leg cramps, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Imanaga appeared to wince after throwing a pitch to Andrew McCutchen in the sixth inning, which prompted a visit from the Cubs' training staff. He left the game after pitching five shutout innings, and his status for his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Sunday against Milwaukee -- is uncertain.

Manager Joe Espada said McCullers (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday before the Astros determine whether he's ready to be reinstated from the injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has a 2.84 ERA and 16:6 K:BB across four rehab outings, and if all goes well Wednesday, he could make his next start in the majors. McCullers hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022 while recovering from arm issues, so it's a good idea to keep expectations in check despite his track record as a top-level starter prior to the injuries.

Mikolas won't start as scheduled Tuesday against the Reds since the game was postponed due to inclement weather, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The game will be made up via a doubleheader Wednesday, with Mikolas likely to start one of those games. The veteran right-hander delivered six scoreless frames in his previous start but has a 5.70 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 13:9 K:BB over 23.2 innings this season.

Singer won't start Tuesday against the Cardinals since the game was postponed due to inclement weather, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The contest will be made up via a doubleheader Wednesday, with Singer likely to start one of those contests for Cincinnati. The right-hander has a 3.62 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB across 27.1 innings through six starts this year.

Blubaugh is with the Astros as a member of the taxi squad and is a candidate to start Wednesday against the Tigers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hayden Wesneski is being pushed back in the rotation a couple days to provide him some extra rest, so Houston is in need of a spot starter. However, Blubaugh isn't guaranteed to start since the Astros have a team day off Thursday, so a bullpen day could be employed if the unit is in good shape after Tuesday's contest. The right-hander has a 3.86 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB across 21 innings so far this season with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Wesneski is healthy but won't make his scheduled turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Tigers in order to get him some extra rest, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander labored in his last start Friday versus the Royals, as he issued three walks after handing out just one in his first four starts of the year. Wesneski has worked as a swingman in the majors prior to this year with 22 starts in 68 appearances, so it's not a huge surprise he'll require some extra rest here and there. The Astros haven't announced who will start instead Wednesday, but A.J. Blubaugh is a likely candidate and is on the taxi squad, per Rome. Wesneski now appears poised to take the mound Friday on the road versus the White Sox.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Cameron will be called up from Triple-A Omaha to start Wednesday against the Rays, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Cameron will be making his MLB debut when he starts in place of Cole Ragans, who is nursing a groin strain and will be forced to miss at least one turn through the rotation. Ragans is said to have made improvement since he suffered the injury last week and is expected to avoid a stint on the IL for the time being, so Cameron could be in line for just one start before returning to the minors. A 25-year-old lefty, Cameron has turned in a 3.22 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB in 22.1 innings through his five starts with Omaha this season.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Ragans (groin) will not make his next scheduled start Wednesday at Tampa Bay, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Royals will call up lefty Noah Cameron from Triple-A Omaha to start Wednesday in place of Ragans. After being pulled from his start last Thursday against the Rockies after three innings, Ragans was diagnosed Friday with a mild left groin strain. Per Rogers, Ragans' groin strain has improved each day since he suffered the injury, so for now, he's expected to avoid the injured list. He could be ready to make his next start as soon as this weekend in Baltimore or early next week versus the White Sox in Kansas City.

Painter will make his next start Thursday with Single-A Clearwater, not with Triple-A Lehigh Valley as initially reported, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Painter's first three starts this season were at Clearwater, and he will remain in Florida with the affiliate fo rnow. He went three innings in each of his last two outings and is expected to stretch out to four frames Thursday. Coming back from July 2023 Tommy John surgery, Painter is aiming to be part of the Phillies rotation later this season.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that McClanahan (triceps) has begun throwing-like activities but is not playing regular catch yet, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

It continues to be a "slow and steady" build-up for McClanahan, per Cash, as the left-hander works his way back from a nerve issue in his left triceps. He's already on the 60-day injured list, and there remains no timetable for when the southpaw will be ready for his season debut.