MLB Player News

Bello (lat) said Tuesday that he will return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Nationals, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Bello made a rehab appearance Tuesday at Double-A Portland, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters across 2.2 innings. Despite his unremarkable performance, the right-hander said he came away from the start without any pain and is ready to return to Boston's rotation. Bello holds a 3.04 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 26.2 innings so far this year.

Stripling (1-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing 11 runs (five earned) on 10 hits and two walks over 1.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was certainly an outing to forget for Stripling -- after allowing a leadoff homer to Marcus Semien in the first inning, the right-hander allowed the first seven batters to reach in the second as Texas would put up a 10 spot in the frame. Stripling had held opponents to three runs or fewer in four straight starts prior to Wednesday's implosion. His ERA is now up to 5.14 with a 1.57 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through eight starts (42 innings) this year. Stripling will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for this weekend in Seattle.

The Marlins optioned Munoz to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

Munoz will head back to the minors after giving up six earned runs in 4.2 innings during Monday's loss to the Dodgers. George Soriano was recalled from Jacksonville to fill Munoz's roster spot, though Jesus Luzardo (elbow) and Braxton Garrett (shoulder) could return from their rehab assignments within the next several days to help fill the open spot in Miami's rotation.

Peterson (hip) struck out four and allowed one hit and no walks over three innings Friday for Single-A St. Lucie in the second start of his rehab assignment.

Peterson has now permitted just one baserunner while striking out nine over his first two rehab starts with St. Lucie and could be ready for a stiffer test with a higher-level affiliate. He built up to 41 pitches (23 strikes) on Friday and will likely need to bring his count up to around 75 before the Mets feel comfortable bringing him back from the 60-day injured list. After opening the season on the shelf while he continued his recovery from left hip surgery, Peterson won't be eligible for activation until late May.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Javier (neck) will return from the injured list this weekend to start against the Tigers, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Javier will return this weekend after missing just under a month due to the neck issue, though it's unclear exactly which day he'll take the mound in Detroit. The 27-year-old threw 68 pitches over 3.1 frames in his lone rehab outing and may face some minor workload limitations in his first outing back with the Astros.

Megill (shoulder) will make another rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Megill has fared well across his first two rehab outings, giving up one earned run through 4.2 innings while striking out 10 batters without surrendering a walk. If Sunday's start ends up being the 28-year-old's final rehab appearance, he would be lined up to potentially start for the Mets on Friday, May 17 in Miami.

Francis (forearm) threw a bullpen session Monday and is slated to throw two simulated innings Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Barring any sort of setback, Francis is expected to embark on a rehab assignment shortly after his simulated game Thursday. He will serve as a starter while on his assignment, but he will likely be limited to a long-relief role once he returns to the Blue Jays. The 28-year-old righty posted an 8.59 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 14.2 innings before landing on the injured list April 25.

Whitlock (oblique) will throw live batting practice Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Assuming all goes well during his live BP session, Whitlock will move onto a rehab assignment next week, though it's unclear if he will require more than one start in the minors. The 27-year-old right-hander has been on the injured list since April 17 and just began his throwing program Saturday.

Cole (elbow) completed a bullpen session Tuesday and is expected to throw another bullpen this weekend, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Cole is continuing to progress toward returning after throwing off a mound May 4 for the first time since being placed on the injured list in March. He tossed another bullpen session Tuesday without a setback and is expected to continue to ramp up his throwing efforts in the coming weeks. Cole appears to be on track for an early-to-mid-June return.

Rodriguez (shoulder) "feels much better" and hopes to be reinstated once he becomes eligible May 15, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reported Tuesday.

Rodriguez has battled inflammation in his shoulder throughout May. However, per Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com, his move to the 15-day IL was to prevent the issue from developing into anything more serious, and he could return to the O's without a rehab start. Rodriguez has a 4-1 record with a 3.71 ERA through six starts and would likely replace Cole Irvin in the rotation once available.