MLB Player News

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Tuesday that Gasser (elbow) might miss some time but that the first MRI looked "pretty normal," Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The left-hander will receive a second opinion for the tightness and soreness in his elbow, but the initial imaging results are encouraging. Gasser still seems unlikely to avoid a stint on the injured list given it's an elbow issue, but the Brewers have yet to make an official roster move.

Gray (groin) threw 40-to-50 pitches during a bullpen session Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reported Tuesday.

Gray will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, and if all goes well, manager Bruce Bochy said the right-hander could be an option to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday versus the Giants, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Once Gray is reinstated, Jose Urena will likely be pushed out of the rotation.

Scherzer (back/arm) threw a 40-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

It's the first time he's faced hitters since he had to be pulled off a rehab assignment in early May following a nerve problem with his throwing arm. Scherzer -- who initially went on the injured list as he recovered from offseason back surgery -- said after Tuesday's session that he's hoping his next step will be to make a rehab start. There remains no timetable for the 38-year-old return to the Rangers' rotation, but things are trending up.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that Cole (elbow) will require "at least a few" minor-league rehab starts before returning from the 60-day injured list, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Cole will make his first rehab start Tuesday with Double-A Somerset and is slated to throw 40-to-50 pitches in that outing. Assuming he adds around 10-to-15 pitches to each of his subsequent rehab starts, the righty would presumably require two additional outings at a minimum after Tuesday's appearance before slotting back into the Yankees rotation. With that in mind, Cole doesn't appear on track to make his 2024 Yankees debut until at least late June, provided he checks out fine physically during his rehab assignment. Cole is working his way back from nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow.

Suarez (hand) played catch without any apparent issues Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

He gave a thumbs-up to reporters afterward, and Phillies manager Rob Thomson was similarly upbeat about how Suarez checked out during Tuesday's workout. Suarez will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and assuming that goes well, he's expected to be cleared to start against the Mets this weekend in London. The lefty departed his last outing Saturday versus the Cardinals after being struck on the pitching hand by a comebacker.

The Blue Jays activated Francis (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Francis is in line for bulk-relief duties in Tuesday's game against the Orioles, following opener Trevor Richards. The right-hander has been out since late April with forearm tendinitis, having posted a 8.59 ERA and 17:7 K:BB in 14.2 innings across two starts and three relief appearances before being sidelined.

The Nationals recalled Herz from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Herz is set to make his major-league debut Tuesday as he makes a start against the Mets in place of Trevor Williams (elbow), who was placed on the injured list. The left-hander has posted a 3.75 ERA and 42:29 K:BB over 36 innings covering nine starts for Rochester this season. Herz boasts a 33.6 percent strikeout rate during his time in the minors, but he's also generated an elevated 15.3 percent walk rate.

The Nationals placed Williams on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right flexor strain, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Williams had been slated to start Tuesday's game against the Mets but now will be sidelined for at least two weeks, and quite likely longer. The veteran right-hander has been a pleasant surprise for the Nationals this season, collecting a 2.22 ERA in 11 starts. DJ Herz was called up from Triple-A Rochester and will start Tuesday in Williams' stead.

Rea is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Jared Koenig in Tuesday's game against the Phillies in Philadelphia, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

Koenig is expected to receive his second opener assignment in as many days after he needed just five pitches to retire the Phillies' top three hitters in Monday's 3-1 win. Look for Koenig to work no more than an inning or two Tuesday before turning the game over to Rea, who previously worked behind Koenig on May 25 in Boston. The arrangement ended up working out well for Rea's fantasy managers, as he picked up the win against the Red Sox that day while allowing two runs and striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

Cueto has agreed to push back the opt-out date of his minor-league contract with the Rangers to June 14, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 in Houston reports.

The two sides have also agreed to a second opt-out date of July 1. Cueto could have exercised the initial opt-out clause in his minor-league contract June 1, and there probably would have been interest in the 38-year-old after he posted a 2.40 ERA in three starts with Triple-A Round Rock. However, Cueto has ultimately decided to stay put, at least for now.