MLB Player News

Lauer is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Will Klein in Monday's game against the Twins, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

As a starter this season between stops with Toronto and Los Angeles, Lauer has turned in a 5.14 ERA and 13:7 K:BB in 21 innings while facing hitters the first time through the order, so the Dodgers will look to generate better results from the lefty by sparing him from a matchup with the top of the Minnesota lineup to begin the game. Klein is expected to cover an inning or two before giving way to Lauer, who should have a better chance at coming away with a win while working in bulk relief.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Boyd (shoulder/knee) will return from the 15-day injured list to make his next start in the majors, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

As long as inclement weather doesn't force the Cubs to alter their rotation, Boyd appears poised to start Thursday's road game versus the Mets. The veteran left-hander has been shelved since early May, first due to meniscus surgery and later because of shoulder soreness. He's collected a 6.00 ERA and 31:6 K:BB over 24 innings covering five starts for the Cubs this season.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that Perez (gracilis) "felt great" during his pitch-design session Monday and could return from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday versus the Rangers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

As long as Perez recovers well from the session, he should be cleared to pitch Wednesday following a four-week absence due to a right gracilis muscle strain. Perez threw only 51 pitches in what is poised to be his lone rehab start last week with Triple-A Jacksonville, so he won't be prepared for a full workload against the Rangers.

Gonzales agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Padres released Gonzales last week after he posted a 7.99 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB over 47.1 innings at Triple-A El Paso. The 34-year-old lefty had previously spent parts of 10 seasons in the majors before missing the entirety of the 2025 campaign following flexor tendon surgery. Gonzales will give the Rangers some experienced rotation depth, presumably at Triple-A Round Rock.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Scherzer (back) checked out well after throwing a bullpen session Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After developing back spasms, Scherzer was scratched ahead of his scheduled start last Wednesday and placed on the injured list, but the Blue Jays have expressed hope that the veteran righty would be ready to return in close to the minimum 15 days. While Scherzer's ability to get back on a mound without issue seemingly supports the Blue Jays' optimism, he'll still likely need to make it through a few more throwing sessions before Toronto pencils him back into the rotation. The 41-year-old has made just six starts for the big club this season after previously spending time on the shelf due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation.

Irvin (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

The righty hurler will get back on a mound for the first time since he was shelved by a right shoulder strain in late May. Irvin has found more swings and misses this season with 58 strikeouts over 51.2 innings, but he's posted a 5.23 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. He will likely need at least one rehab start before rejoining the Nationals' active roster.

Flaherty (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Erie on Tuesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Flaherty landed on the 15-day injured list a little over a week ago with a left peroneal strain, but he's been cleared for games after throwing a successful bullpen session over the weekend. The right-hander could require just the one rehab outing before rejoining the Detroit rotation. Flaherty has collected a 5.35 ERA and 78:34 K:BB over 65.2 innings covering 15 starts this season.

Milwaukee reinstated Woodruff (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday in Cincinnati.

Woodruff will be making his first start for Milwaukee since April 30, after a bout with right shoulder inflammation kept him on the shelf for nearly two months. The 33-year-old righty made two rehab appearances in the minors prior to being activated, building up to 5.1 innings and 82 pitches in his most recent outing with High-A Wisconsin on Tuesday. While Woodruff shouldn't be operating with a major workload restriction in his return from the IL, he'll carry some performance risk following a lengthy layoff from major-league action. Woodruff tentatively lines up for a two-start week, with a second appearance likely to come Sunday at home versus the Cubs if he bounces back well from Monday's start.

The Reds designated Paddack for assignment Monday.

The 30-year-old righty has now been booted off a 40-man roster for the second time this season, after the Marlins previously released him May 11. Paddack didn't perform any better during his five-week stint in Cincinnati and now owns a 0-7 record, 6.96 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 39:19 K:BB in 53 innings over 13 appearances (nine starts) between his two stops. Given the poor form he's displayed thus far, Paddack is unlikely to get claimed off waivers and could be headed for another release in the coming days.

The Marlins placed Meyer on the bereavement list Monday.

Miami recalled reliever Zach Brzykcy to serve as a temporary replacement on the active roster for Meyer, who will remain away from the team from 3-to-7 days while he tends to a personal matter. Since Meyer last pitched Saturday and wasn't scheduled to pitch during the Marlins' three-game series versus Texas to begin the week, he could be ready to rejoin the club when his next turn through the rotation comes up Friday in St. Louis.