MLB Player News

The Astros placed McCullers (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Tayler Scott, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land. McCullers is expected to be out until late June or early July as he continues his recovery from right elbow surgery.

The Yankees recalled Gil from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

He was optioned in early March, but Gil wound up winning the Yankees' fifth starter job after Gerrit Cole went down with an elbow injury that forced him to the 60-day IL. Gil is tentatively slated to make his season debut Monday in Arizona.

The Yankees placed Cole on the 60-day injured list Thursday with right elbow inflammation.

The initial timetable for Cole's return from his right elbow injury that cropped up a few weeks ago was 1-to-2 months, but it's clearly going to be closer to the latter end of that span. The hope is that the reigning American League Cy Young winner will be ready to begin a throwing program in a couple weeks, but the Yankees won't rush him for what will be a slow and steady buildup.

The Guardians acquired Kent from the Rangers on Thursday in exchange for international bonus pool money and optioned him to Triple-A Columbus.

Kent was one of two pitchers Cleveland traded for in advance of Opening Day, with Peter Strzelecki also coming aboard in a deal with Arizona. Though both new arrivals will claim spots on the 40-man roster, neither will join the team for Thursday's season opener in Oakland and will instead be ticketed for Columbus. The 26-year-old Kent, who has yet to make his MLB debut, posted a 3.97 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB in 10 starts at Triple-A Round Rock in 2023, but it's unclear whether or not the Guardians intend to keep him on a starter's development track or move him to the bullpen.

The Twins placed DeSclafani (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

After being acquired from the Mariners in January, DeSclafani was expected to open the season as a back-end starter for the Twins, but he was diagnosed with a right elbow strain following an appearance in a minor-league spring training game in mid-March and will be headed for an extended absence. The Twins haven't offered up a firm timeline for his return, but after landing on the 60-day IL, DeSclafani will be sidelined for at least two months.

Ortiz will begin the season as a long reliever in the bullpen, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old made a solid case for a rotation spot during spring training with a 3.46 ERA, and 15:7 K:BB across 13 innings, but Bailey Falter and Jared Jones will begin the campaign as Pittsburgh's Nos. 4 and 5 starters. Ortiz should remain stretched out and should see some action as a bulk reliever, especially as a right-handed complement to lefties like Martin Perez and Marco Gonzales.

Rodriguez threw from 60 feet Tuesday, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Tuesday marked the first time Rodriguez has thrown since straining his left lat March 19. There is still no clear timeline for a return, but one may emerge as the 30-year-old lefty continues progressing through his rehab program. The Diamondbacks also signed Jordan Montgomery to a one-year deal Tuesday, which will allow the team to be more patient with Rodriguez's recovery.

Lorenzen (undisclosed) threw live batting practice Wednesday and is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The right-hander will begin the season on the injured list with an unspecified designation as he continues to build up his throwing program after signing with the Rangers last week. Lorenzen threw 28 pitches during Wednesday's session and will continue ramping up his workload Saturday, with another start scheduled for the back half of next week. The 32-year-old will be eligible to be activated during the second week of April.

Spence is projected to open the season as part of the Athletics' bullpen, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The Rule 5 pick put together a solid body of work this spring, going 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA over six appearances (three starts) while producing a 21:6 K:BB. Spence finished off Cactus League play with 4.2 scoreless frames over his last pair of appearances, and he could often fill a long-relief role after logging 74 starts in the Yankees' minor-league system over the last three seasons.

The Reds placed Williamson (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

The left-hander exited his March 17 start with a left shoulder strain and won't be available to begin the regular season. Williamson was expected to be shut down from throwing for a few days, but it's unclear where he currently stands in his recovery. Andrew Abbott is rounding out Cincinnati's rotation, at least until Nick Lodolo (lower leg) is ready.