MLB Player News

The Mets plan to call up Thornton from Triple-A Syracuse to pitch in Wednesday's game in Washington, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

New York has yet to announce whether Thornton will be utilized as a starter or a bulk reliever in his MLB debut, but in either case, he'll be assuming the rotation spot of Clay Holmes, who was placed on the injured list over the weekend after fracturing his right fibula during Friday's loss to the Yankees. Thornton, a 24-year-old lefty, isn't regarded as a major prospect but has been highly effective between stops at Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse this season, logging a 3.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB in six starts. The Mets are expected to get Kodai Senga (spine) back from the IL within the next few weeks, but Thornton could still be well positioned to maintain a more permanent spot in the rotation if he can carry over his success from Double-A and Triple-A in his first taste of the majors.

The Rays recalled Solesky from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Solesky will give manager Kevin Cash a fresh bullpen arm as he joins the big club as a replacement on the active roster for righty Cole Sulser (back), who was placed on the injured list. The 28-year-old was called up earlier this month by the Rays, but he's still looking to make his major-league debut.

The Rays activated Boyle (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Durham.

Boyle had made three rehab starts after overcoming a right elbow strain, but he struggled mightily in his outing Sunday with Durham, allowing five runs with a 0:4 K:BB over 1.2 frames. Rather than sticking Boyle back on the big-league roster, the Rays will have him continue making regular turns through the Triple-A rotation.

The Yankees selected Cruz's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Cruz has earned a look from the big club after putting up a 3.00 ERA and 23:9 K:BB over 18 innings out of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre bullpen. The 26-year-old will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.

The Yankees optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Rodriguez was solid in a spot start Sunday versus the Mets, yielding one run on five hits and one walk over 4.1 innings. He had seemed in line to make one more start for the Yankees before Gerrit Cole (elbow) returns, but instead Rodriguez will rejoin the rotation at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Skubal (elbow) is slated to throw a bullpen session Monday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Skubal will throw off a mound for the second time since he had surgery May 6 to remove a loose body from his left elbow. The left-hander appears on pace to rejoin the Tigers rotation sometime in June if all continues to go well, though he still has numerous boxes he needs to check. Skubal posted a 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 45:6 K:BB over 43.1 innings covering seven starts before getting hurt.

The Royals placed Bubic on the 15-day injured list Monday with left elbow soreness.

Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Bubic felt more sore than normal following his last start, prompting the decision to place him on the IL. The southpaw is optimistic his absence will be brief, but he still needs to undergo imaging before more is known. Even in a best-case scenario, Bubic is likely looking at longer than a minimum stay on the IL. He's collected a 4.10 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB over 50.1 innings covering nine starts this season.

Gipson-Long (undisclosed) has given up six earned runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 5.1 innings across his last two starts with Triple-A Toledo.

After Gipson-Long experiencing unspecified discomfort, Toledo scratched the right-hander from a scheduled start May 1, but he didn't require a trip to the injured list and slotted back into the rotation a week later. Gipson-Long has labored over his subsequent two starts, however, and now holds a 6.14 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 22 innings at Triple-A for the season. Even while injuries are testing Detroit's rotation depth, Gipson-Long may not be viewed as a solution for the big club while he's struggled for Toledo.

Double-A Midland placed Lin on the 7-day injured list May 13 with a left quad strain.

Lin struck out a career-high 10 batters in six innings May 7 but was placed on the injured list before making another start. The 20-year-old southpaw boasts a 1.85 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB in 34 innings across seven starts for the RockHounds.

Verlander (hip) tossed a three-inning, 50-pitch simulated game Friday, MLB.com reports.

Rather than heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, Verlander is seemingly electing to stay with the Tigers and build up his pitch count through a series of sim games as he works his way back from left hip inflammation, which sent him to the injured list back on April 4. Verlander reportedly displayed improvement with his pitch quality and velocity during Friday's throwing session and is set to throw a longer simulated game in the middle of this week. Verlander appears to be tracking toward a return from the 60-day IL around when he's first eligible May 31 or soon thereafter.