MLB Player News

Crawford (wrist) is on track to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester this weekend, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Crawford is set to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and as long as he gets through that without any setbacks, he'll be cleared to take the ball for the WooSox. It would be the first time Crawford has pitched in a game since he underwent right wrist surgery last summer. The righty will need a few rehab outings, and he could remain with Worcester rather than rejoin the Red Sox after the rehab assignment is over.

LaCombe fell behind in camp due to shoulder discomfort but could join Single-A Kannapolis in the near future, Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reports.

The White Sox have been churning out some notable pitching prospects over the past year, and LaCombe could follow such a path once healthy. The 6-foot-2 righty logged an impressive 32.6 percent strikeout rate and 1.11 WHIP in 53.1 innings in the lower levels last year, so he could get a bump to High-A Winston-Salem before long.

Rasmussen was scratched from his scheduled start against the Cubs on Tuesday due to the imminent birth of his child, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The right-hander will presumably be placed on the paternity list soon, which will allow him to be away from the team for up to three days. It's unclear when exactly the Rays plan to re-insert Rasmussen into the starting rotation, but his next outing seems likely to come this weekend versus the Yankees. Mason Englert is starting in his place Tuesday as Tampa Bay is opting for a bullpen game.

Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said Tuesday that Lorenzen wants to be available to pitch in relief on his between-starts bullpen-session days, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

That day for Lorenzen was Monday, and he would have entered out of the bullpen against the Astros had Juan Mejia gotten into trouble in the ninth inning. Lorenzen remains scheduled to start Wednesday versus Houston but could be available to pitch in relief this weekend in San Diego. The righty has been touched up for 12 runs on 19 hits and two walks over 7.1 frames in his first two starts of the season.

Waldichuk was charged with a blown save Monday, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks over 2.1 innings in a 9-6 win over the Cardinals. He struck out two.

Both hits off Waldichuk left the yard, as Ramon Urias took him deep in the sixth inning before Jordan Walker swatted a fastball over the right-field fence to lead off the eighth. Waldichuk has worked more than one inning in all four of his appearances to begin the season, but he's been far from effective with a 7.04 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB in 7.2 innings. The 28-year-old southpaw has minor-league options remaining, so he could be the next pitcher cycled out of the Nationals' bullpen when the club needs a fresh arm.

Hansen (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Palm Beach on Tuesday.

Hansen has had a delayed start to the minor-league season after developing left shoulder stiffness during spring training. The southpaw posted a 3.93 ERA and 123:37 K:BB over 137.1 innings with Double-A Springfield in 2025 and is set to move up to Triple-A Memphis once he's done with his rehab assignment.

The Orioles optioned Young to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Young tossed five shutout innings in a spot start Monday against the White Sox, but the Orioles will nonetheless replace him on the roster with reliever Nick Raquet. Baltimore could recall Dean Kremer from Norfolk when it needs a starter for this weekend against the Giants.

The Orioles transferred Eflin (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

There's no word yet on the second opinion of the MRI on Eflin's right elbow. However, it's not a good sign that the Orioles have elected to shift him to the 60-IL, which makes Eflin ineligible to return until May 31. Brandon Young pitched well Monday versus the White Sox in Eflin's place, and his performance could earn him another start this weekend versus the Giants.

Williams' scheduled start Tuesday against the Royals was moved up to 1:10 p.m. ET from its originally scheduled 6:10 pm due to a forecast of frigid conditions in the Cleveland area, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Fantasy managers will want to adjust their lineups accordingly to accommodate the new time for first pitch. Williams is coming off a dominant start against the Dodgers last Wednesday in which he picked up his first win while striking out 10 over seven shutout innings.

Houser allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three batters over six innings in a no-decision against Philadelphia on Monday.

The Giants staked Houser to a four-run lead through four frames, but he couldn't protect the advantage. The right-hander allowed a pair of runs in the fifth, then got through a scoreless sixth before yielding singles to the first two batters he faced in the seventh. Houser was lifted after the latter of those two hits, and both runners he left on base eventually came around to score. The veteran hurler has given up five runs while posting a 7:3 K:BB through 11.1 innings across his first two starts, and he lines up to next take the mound on the road versus Baltimore.