MLB Player News

Woo (elbow) has begun a throwing program, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Woo was shut down for a little over a week with right elbow inflammation but is ready to get built back up. It shouldn't take too terribly long for that to happen since he was fully stretched out by late March, but the Mariners won't establish a timetable for Woo's return until he makes further strides.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Manoah (shoulder) will pitch a three-inning simulated game with minor leaguers Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

After one spring training outing in late February, Manoah was restricted to bullpen sessions and live batting practices due to right shoulder soreness. The right-hander managed to throw 34 pitches over two innings in a simulated game Wednesday, and he'll up that to three innings for Tuesday's session. Manoah is looking to bounce back from a rough 2023 season in which he registered a 5.87 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 79:59 K:BB over 87.1 innings while going 3-9 over 19 starts.

Garcia (elbow) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Astros manager Joe Espada proclaimed Garcia ahead of schedule after the session. While certainly good to hear, the right-hander will still almost surely be sidelined at least until around midseason while recovering from last May's Tommy John surgery.

The Mariners signed Tabor to a minor-league deal Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Tabor has been out of action over the past two years due to a blood clot removal and Tommy John surgery. His last full season was in 2021 when he managed to climb up to Triple-A Reno, posting a 3.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 26:15 K:BB over 51 innings while going 1-4 over eight starts with the Aces.

Verlander (shoulder) threw a three-inning, 52-pitch simulated game Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Verlander came out of the session without any issues. Although nothing definitive has been determined yet, his next step is expected to be beginning a rehab assignment. The 41-year-old figures to require at least a couple rehab starts before rejoining the Astros' rotation. Verlander has been working his way back from a right shoulder problem.

Garrett (shoulder) will throw a three-inning and/or 50-pitch simulated game at extended spring training Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It's not clear what the next step will be after that, but there would seem to be a chance Garrett would be ready to begin a rehab assignment. The left-hander has dealt with a left shoulder impingement since early on in spring training. He should rejoin the Marlins' rotation before the end of April.

Megill (shoulder), whom the Mets placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Monday, won't throw for the next five days before beginning his ramp-up process, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Though the injury that landed him on the shelf is being characterized as a right shoulder strain rather than right shoulder soreness, Megill seems optimistic that he won't miss significant time and could even be back around when he's first eligible to return in mid-April. A precise timeline for Megill's return won't come into focus until he reaches the point in his throwing program that he's facing hitters. While 40-man roster members Joey Lucchesi or Jose Butto would seem to be the most logical candidates to replace Megill in the rotation, both were optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in spring training and thus aren't eligible to be promoted until April 12 unless the Mets place a player on the IL in a corresponding move. As such, the Mets may turn to a non-roster player to make spot starts for Megill's next two turns through the rotation.

Miami designated Gutierrez for assignment Monday.

Gutierrez helped save the bullpen in absorbing four innings in Sunday's 9-7 loss to the Pirates, and his reward is being jettisoned from the 26-man and 40-man rosters. Miami called up Kent Emanuel from Triple-A Jacksonville to replace Gutierrez as a long man out of the bullpen.

Butto is an option to fill the spot in the Mets' rotation vacated by Tylor Megill (shoulder), Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Butto pitched well during spring training in allowing just one run with a 9:2 K:BB over 10 innings. He lost out to Megill for the No. 5 spot at that time but could now slide into the slot due to injury. Joey Lucchesi is another candidate to replace Megill, and the Mets also are reportedly showing interest in Julio Teheran.

Lucchesi is likely to absorb the rotation spot vacated by Tylor Megill (shoulder), Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Lucchesi permitted just one unearned run and struck out five over five innings in his season debut with Triple-A Syracuse on March 29. He also had a 2.89 ERA in nine starts for the Mets last season, although that came with a 1.31 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB across 46.2 frames. Jose Butto is another option to fill in for Megill. Whoever takes Megill's spot will likely start in Cincinnati this weekend.