MLB Player News

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Friday that Perez's (thigh) next start could be with the Marlins, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Perez made his first and perhaps only rehab start Thursday at Triple-A Jacksonville, striking out five over 3.2 innings of one-run ball. He sat in the 96-to-98 mph range with his fastballs and got his pitch count up to 51. Though Perez is not fully stretched back out yet, he could nonetheless rejoin the big-league rotation as soon as next week's series against the Rangers at home. That would mean a return in about four weeks, which is half the time of his initially projected eight-week timeline.

Fedde is slated to serve as the bulk reliever in Friday's game versus the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Lefty Brandon Eisert will open for the White Sox before handing things off to the right-handed Fedde. It will be the seventh bulk relief assignment this season for Fedde, who holds a 4.73 ERA and 19:12 K:BB over 26.2 frames in his first seven outings in such situations.

The Diamondbacks recalled Diaz from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Diaz is taking the roster spot vacated by the injured Ryne Nelson (elbow). The 25-year-old Diaz has made a full-time move to the bullpen at Reno this season, posting a 4.50 ERA and 43:21 K:BB over 32 innings.

The Diamondbacks placed Nelson on the 15-day injured list Friday with a strained right elbow.

John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM says it's a partially torn flexor tendon for Nelson, who held the Angels to two runs over seven innings in his last start Monday. There's been no timetable provided by the Diamondbacks yet, but the nature of the injury points to the likelihood of a lengthy absence for Nelson. Brandon Pfaadt is a candidate to replace Nelson in the Arizona rotation.

Flaherty (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It appears to be the first time the right-hander has thrown off the mound since he landed on the injured list last week with a left peroneal strain. Flaherty is first eligible to return June 28, and he has a chance to make it back by then or shortly thereafter.

Montero will start Sunday's game against the White Sox in Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Justin Verlander (hip/hamstring) had been slated to return from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game, but he encountered a setback. Montero made a relief appearance Tuesday versus the Astros, but his other 13 outings this season have been starts. He's collected a 3.67 ERA and 50:17 K:BB over 73.2 frames this season. Verlander is expected to miss multiple weeks, so Montero is likely to get multiple turns in the Detroit rotation.

Verlander (hip) has been scratched from a scheduled start Sunday versus the White Sox due to a left hamstring injury, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Verlander had been slated to return from a nearly three-month absence with left hip inflammation, but he encountered a setback with his hamstring during a bullpen session Wednesday. The Tigers expect the 43-year-old's recovery to last "a matter of weeks." Keider Montero will start for the Tigers on Sunday and is likely to make additional starts while Verlander recovers.

Cavalli was scratched from his scheduled start against the Rays on Friday due to an illness.

Cavalli was penciled in to start Friday's series opener but instead won't be available due to food poisoning, per Andrew Golden of TheBanner.com. The Nationals are hopeful Cavalli will be ready to start Saturday. PJ Poulin will start in Cavalli's place with Miles Mikolas set to follow in the bulk role.

The Royals reinstated Lugo (concussion) from the 7-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Cardinals.

The 36-year-old has been on the shelf for the past week after being struck in the head by a comebacker, but he'll quickly re-enter Kansas City's rotation. Lugo has a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 66:25 K:BB across 79.1 innings through 14 starts this season.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that "all signs point towards" Bieber (elbow) making his season debut Monday against the Astros, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays are holding off making it official until Bieber throws a bullpen session Saturday, but as long as he doesn't have any hiccups with that throwing session he will take the ball in Monday's series opener at Rogers Centre. Bieber would also line up for a second start that weekend at home versus the Rangers. Coming back from right elbow inflammation, Bieber has collected a 6.88 ERA and 14:5 K:BB over 17 innings covering five rehab starts. He threw 80 pitches in his last outing, so he's close to being fully stretched out.