MLB Player News

Manager Tony Vitello said after Tuesday's loss to the Padres that Webb was dealing with knee discomfort during his start, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Vitello added that he doesn't believe Webb's knee will become a serious issue, but the team didn't want to risk his health after he had given up six earned runs and run his pitch count up to 62 through four innings. Assuming he'll be cleared to make his next start, the 29-year-old right-hander will carry a 5.06 ERA and 1.40 WHIP into a tough test next week against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Aldegheri allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over four innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Tuesday. He didn't strike out any batters.

Aldegheri was summoned from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday and was tabbed to start one day later. The southpaw had a rough first inning, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks before retiring a batter, but he settled down thereafter and didn't allow Chicago to score over the remainder of his outing. However, Aldegheri was pulled after just four frames and 69 pitches despite the fact that he had thrown six innings and 97 pitches in his most recent minor-league start last Tuesday. Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) landed on the IL on Tuesday, so there's at least a temporary opening in the Angels' rotation, which could mean that Aldegheri will get additional starts moving forward.

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

The 22-year-old righty was allowed to make a second start with the Yankees on Tuesday against Texas, but with Carlos Rodon (elbow) expected to rejoin the Yankees' rotation soon, Rodriguez will head back to Triple-A after giving up three earned runs to the Rangers over 4.2 innings. The young prospect now owns a 5.19 ERA and 2.08 WHIP through 8.2 innings with New York and will likely be a candidate for additional spot starts over the course of the season.

Grove (shoulder) is scheduled to face hitters this weekend, MLB.com reports.

It's set to be Grove's first session since opening the season on the injured list amid his recovery from last year's right shoulder surgery. The right-hander is then slated to go on a minor-league rehab assignment sometime thereafter. Barring any setbacks, Grove should be an option for the Rays at some point in June.

The Angels signed Lucchesi to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Lucchesi previously spent part of March and April with the big-league club but struggled to a 13.50 ERA, 3.90 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB over 3.1 innings spanning five relief appearances. The southpaw does have ample major-league experience and was much better with San Francisco last season -- posting a 3.76 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB over 38.1 frames while recording six holds -- so the Angels are giving him another look in the minors. Lucchesi will likely need to demonstrate improved results, though, to get another call-up to the big-league club.

The Nationals designated Rutledge for assignment Tuesday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Rutledge will end up without a spot on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Max Kranick (elbow), who signed a major-league contract with Washington on Tuesday. Rutledge gave up seven earned runs in just 1.1 innings during his lone MLB appearance this season and owns a 3.38 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 13.1 frames at Triple-A Rochester.

Valdez was ejected from Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Valdez wasn't exactly having a great time on the mound Tuesday, as he had given up eight runs by the end of the third inning. After giving up another two runs on a pair of solo homers from Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu to lead off the fourth, Valdez hit Trevor Story with a pitch, which caused the benches to clear. No punches were thrown, but Valdez had still been ejected by the time the dust settled. The 32-year-old southpaw will take a 4.57 ERA and 1.41 WHIP into his next start, which may be delayed if he faces additional discipline from Major League Baseball.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw up to five innings during a rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Tuesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez continues to bump up his workload, as his previous throwing sessions consisted of three and then four simulated innings. The right-hander has yet to make his Angels debut because he landed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation in late March, but the fact that he's now beginning a proper rehab assignment could put him on track for a return from the shelf within the next couple of weeks.

Kikuchi (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for 3-to-4 weeks, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

The fact that the 34-year-old southpaw doesn't seem to need surgery makes it more likely that he returns before the end of the season, but it could still be a while before he appears on a big-league mound. The Angels plan to build Kikuchi up as a starter once he's cleared to begin a throwing program, and they may have a better picture of his return timeline once he progresses to that point.

The Giants optioned McDonald to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

McDonald tossed a seven-inning spot start Monday, allowing just one run on two hits and no free passes along with eight strikeouts. However, the top prospect is being sent back down to make room for Joel Peguero (hamstring), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.