MLB Player News

Blackburn (foot) has shed his walking boot and is expected to begin a throwing program this week, MLB.com reports.

Although the right-hander remains without a timetable for return, this news is naturally encouraging. Blackburn isn't expected back before the All-Star break, considering he may need a full-length rehab assignment whenever he reaches that stage of his recovery.

Stripling (elbow) is set to begin a throwing program Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Stripling has been shut down from throwing since May 29, so this is certainly noteworthy news. The veteran right-hander will gradually up his throwing distance until he's deemed healthy enough to progress to throwing off a mound. Given the deliberate pace of his recovery, Stripling may not be a candidate for activation before the end of June.

Rodriguez (back) is scheduled to make another rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Buffalo, MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez is closing in on a return from the 15-day injured list after the Blue Jays deactivated him April 30 due to thoracic spine inflammation. The Blue Jays appear to be prepping for Rodriguez to take on a starting role upon his return from the IL -- or are at least keeping him available as a rotation option -- as MLB.com notes that the organization wants him to push his pitch count up to 75 before he's activated. In his most recent rehab start with Buffalo last Wednesday, Rodriguez tossed 43 pitches over three shutout innings, then tossed 15 more pitches in a bullpen session immediately upon leaving the game. If he's able to add around 15 more pitches to his workload Tuesday, Rodriguez could get the green light to rejoin the big club as soon as the upcoming weekend. Should the Blue Jays choose to include Rodriguez in their rotation, he would likely unseat Bowden Francis as the No. 5 starter, though even in that scenario, Toronto could deploy the two pitchers as a piggyback tandem like it did earlier in the season.

Myers is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays in Milwaukee.

With the Milwaukee rotation having been hit hard by injuries of late, Myers was called up from Triple-A Nashville last Wednesday and thrust back into a starting role, despite having turned in an underwhelming 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through his first seven outings (six starts) with the Brewers this season. Myers slotted into the rotation Friday and proceeded to deliver the best outing of his young big-league career, stymieing the Tigers over eight shutout innings while allowing just four baserunners and striking out five. Unsurprisingly, Myers will get another start on the heels of his big effort, and he could lengthen his leash in the rotation if he delivers another quality showing versus Toronto.

Gasser (elbow) said this weekend that his left UCL is not "broken" but also "not as strong as it should be," Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

Previously, the damage to Gasser's elbow was reported to be to his flexor tendon, but it would appear the integrity of his UCL is now the bigger concern. Gasser has received two opinions on the elbow, with one doctor recommending surgery and the other rest and rehab. He's headed to meet with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, where he will get a third opinion before he makes a decision regarding surgery. Any type of surgery would end Gasser's 2024 season and could keep him out of a large chunk of the 2025 campaign, as well.

Sandoval did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Astros, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings.

Sandoval started out with two scoreless frames before the Astros manufactured three runs in the third on two walks and four hits. He then gave up a run-scoring double from Jose Abreu in the sixth before exiting the game for good. Abreu would end up scoring that inning as well. Sandoval just missed out on a third straight start of reaching six innings and the eight hits given up were his most since he allowed 11 on May 12. Walks also continue to be an issue for the left-hander, as he's allowed at least three walks in four of his last five starts. Sandoval now owns a 5.23 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 75:31 K:BB in 72.1 innings this year and lines up to take the mound again versus the Giants over the weekend.

Silseth (elbow) struck out seven over four scoreless innings while allowing three hits and no walks in his second rehab start Thursday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Silseth has now turned in seven scoreless frames over his first two rehab outings in Arizona. Though Silseth has yet to walk a batter in either start, he hasn't exhibited pristine control, as he's uncorked two wild pitches and has hit two batters between those contests. More importantly, however, Silseth hasn't experienced any setbacks with his right elbow and has continued to increase his workload. He built up to 56 pitches Thursday and could reach the 70-pitch mark in his third rehab start, which will likely come Tuesday or Wednesday with a yet-to-be-determined affiliate. After he completes his next rehab start, Silseth could be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list and slot back into the Angels rotation.

Verlander did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 9-7 loss to the Angels, allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three over five innings.

Verlander had another pedestrian outing against one of the weaker lineups in baseball. The positives were that he didn't allow a home run or walk a batter, though he did give up seven hits for a second straight start and isn't missing many bats, evidenced by his 2.9 swinging strike percentage Sunday. Verlander has just seven strikeouts over his last 10 innings, and this is after coming off of back-to-back nine-strikeout performances to end May. The 41-year-old will take a 3.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB (57 innings) into his next start against the Tigers over the weekend.

Quintana came away with a no-decision in Sunday's win over the Phillies, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out one.

The veteran southpaw was headed for his sixth loss of the season when he got the hook after 69 pitches (41 strikes), but a late rally from the Mets got him off the hook. Quintana's only win of 2024 came back on April 11 -- since then, he's stumbled to a 5.86 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 32:15 K:BB over 10 starts (50.2 innings). He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Padres.

Mazur (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing eight runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two over three innings.

Mazur was hit hard in just his second MLB start. The Diamondbacks scratched a run against him in the first but did most of their damage in the second when they piled on six runs, which was capped off by a two-run blast by Jake McCarthy. Mazur was able to pitch a clean third but was lifted after allowing a leadoff walk in the fourth and that runner would eventually come around to score. Mazur is known for his elite command of the strike zone but has now walked seven batters over his first nine big-league innings and is showing some early jitters. He'll look to turn things around in a road matchup against the Mets over the weekend.