MLB Player News

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Baz (elbow/oblique) will soon throw two innings in an extended spring training game, Evan Closky of 10 Tampa Bay reports.

Baz has already completed his rehab for the Tommy John procedure he underwent Sept. 28, 2022, but the right-hander wasn't available to pitch at any point in spring training after tending to a pair of oblique injuries. The Rays haven't shifted Baz to the 60-day injured list at this point in the season, but it would still be a surprise if he's ready to make his 2024 debut before late May. A timetable for his return remains up in the air and won't be clear until he heads out on what will likely be an extended minor-league rehab assignment.

Sears did not factor into the decision, allowing three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings during Monday's 2-0 win over the Yankees. He struck out seven.

Sears was involved in a pitcher's duel with the Yankees' Carlos Rodon. Neither blinked, leaving each with a tough-luck no-decision. Despite throwing a first-pitch strike to only 11 of 21 batters, Sears limited the Yankees to four baserunners while striking out more than a batter per inning for the first time this season. After allowing nine runs over 9.1 innings through two starts, Sears has allowed just one run and six hits over his last three starts spanning 17.1 innings. Things won't get easier in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for this weekend in Baltimore.

The White Sox optioned Nastrini to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Nastrini impressed in his major-league debut but was then roughed up by the Phillies in his second start, yielding six runs (five earned) over three innings. The White Sox will need a starter later this week to take Nastrini's spot, with Chris Flexen representing a possibility to fill in.

Reds manager David Bell said Martinez will start Thursday's game against the Phillies in Cincinnati, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After making four- and three-inning appearances out of the bullpen last week, Martinez will rejoin the rotation during the upcoming week, replacing the injured Frankie Montas (forearm). Bell noted that he's hopeful Montas is able to return from the 15-day injured list around when he's first eligible May 7, so Martinez is likely looking at a two-start run before he presumably heads back to the bullpen.

The Reds placed Montas (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Montas' move to the IL isn't an overly surprising one, as the right-hander had already conceded that he would need to miss at least his next turn through the rotation after exiting in the first inning of his start Sunday against the Angels when he was struck in his pitching arm by a liner. Fortunately for Montas, he was able to avoid any fractured bones, but he's dealing with a painful bruise that will keep him on the shelf for at least the next two weeks. If Montas is able to resume throwing in the coming days, he should have a good chance at returning from the 15-day IL around the time he's first eligible for activation May 7. The Reds are likely to turn to Nick Martinez to fill Montas' spot in the rotation.

The Brewers placed Miley on the 15-day injured list Monday with left elbow inflammation.

Miley got a late start to this season because of a shoulder problem, and he missed time last season with elbow and lat issues. The veteran left-hander has often shown an ability to bounce back quickly from arm-related injuries, but he indicated Monday that this is a different feeling than he's had in the past, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Miley will undergo imaging Tuesday, at which point more should be known regarding how much time he might miss. Tobias Myers was called up from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move and seems likely to start in Miley's place Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Arrighetti will start Wednesday against the Cubs, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He's taking over the rotation spot vacated by Cristian Javier (neck), who was placed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend. The Astros have a couple off days over the next week, and Javier could be back shortly after that, so Arrighetti may just be in line for a spot start. The rookie was bludgeoned for seven runs over three innings in his major-league debut earlier this month in Kansas City but was better in his second start April 15, holding Atlanta to two runs over four frames.

Bradley (pectoral) is expected to pitch four innings in an extended spring training game early this week before potentially beginning a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

After covering three innings in a simulated game last Wednesday, Bradley appears to have recovered from the right pectoral strain that forced him to the injured list March 26, but he still needs time to rebuild his stamina and increase his pitch count following a month-long layoff to begin the season. A target date for his season debut with the Rays should come into focus once he heads out on a rehab assignment, but he tentatively looks on track to return from the 15-day IL at some point in the first or second week of May.

Minnesota optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

The move comes one day after Varland turned in another ugly start in which he allowed four runs over just 2.2 innings in a 6-1 loss to the Tigers. Varland offered plenty of potential at the beginning of the season, but it hasn't manifested thus far, as he held a 9.18 ERA in four outings. Simeon Woods Richardson could be called up from Triple-A to take Varland's spot in the rotation later this week.

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

As expected, Munoz's stay with the big club lasted just one day, as Miami designated him as its 27th man for its doubleheader with the Cubs on Saturday. Munoz started the second game of the twin bill in what was his MLB debut, covering five innings and striking out seven while allowing two earned runs on two hits and one walk en route to taking a no-decision in the Marlins' 5-3 loss. He'll step back into the Jacksonville rotation and should remain one of the top options for a promotion to the big club if the Marlins should require a spot starter at any point.