MLB Player News

Verlander (hip) threw 66 pitches during a four-inning simulated game Monday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Verlander went up against the likes of Hao-Yu Lee, Jake Rogers and Wenceel Perez during Monday's sim game, per Petzold. Petzold also notes that it seems as though the Tigers aren't confident the veteran right-hander is ready to face major-league competition, despite being given a clean bill of health. It's not yet clear as to when Verlander will be activated from the 60-day injured list, though Saturday against the White Sox appears to be the next possibility.

Steele (elbow) will throw plyo balls for the next week and then progress to throwing a baseball, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The club has already ruled Steele out through the All-Star break, but he's moving in the right direction. Montemurro notes that he'll be around the team for the next three weeks while continuing his rehab, and he could resume throwing a baseball as early as next Monday, which would be the first step in building up his throwing progression. The Cubs have yet to provide a firm timetable for Steele's return.

Boyd (knee/shoulder) will throw an up-down bullpen session Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs will make a decision about next steps for Boyd after the bullpen session. Boyd had been slated to rejoin the big-league rotation this past weekend following last month's meniscus surgery, but that was scrapped after he developed left shoulder soreness after a bullpen session. Following the setback, it seems likely that the Cubs will ask Boyd to make another rehab start. However, more clarity on that front will be available after Tuesday's session.

Perez (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Perez is slated to throw 3-to-4 innings and/or 50 pitches in the outing. It will be the first start for Perez since he went down with a right gracilis strain more than two weeks ago. Initial estimates pegged Perez's absence to last as long as eight weeks, but it appears he'll have a good shot to be back before then.

The Athletics recalled Morales from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Morales began the season in the Athletics' rotation, but he was demoted after two poor starts and lately has been pitching in a relief role with Las Vegas. He will provide the bullpen with some length after the A's relievers were overworked this past weekend.

Melton has been scratched from Monday's start versus the Astros due to lower-back tightness, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Tigers will start Drew Anderson instead in what will be a bullpen game. It's unclear at this point when Melton might be ready to make his next start, so he should be considered day-to-day until further notice.

The Angels placed Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list Monday with low-back inflammation.

Rodriguez was forced to depart Sunday start against the Rays in the third inning due to the injury. While the injury does not appear to be overly serious, Rodriguez will be forced to miss at least a couple turns in the Angels' rotation. He's posted an 8.06 ERA in six starts this season.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Senga (spine/arm) will start Tuesday's game in Cincinnati, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports.

He had been slated to make one more rehab start, but Christian Scott's (hip) move to the injured list Monday has prompted the Mets to bring Senga back earlier than they originally planned. Senga first went on the injured list in late April with lumbar spine inflammation and later had his rehab assignment briefly stalled because of ulnar nerve irritation in his right arm. However, he resumed his rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton last Thursday and allowed just one earned run over six innings. Senga threw 75 pitches in that start, so he'll be close to fully stretched out against the Reds. The 33-year-old registered a 9.00 ERA and 1.95 WHIP over 20 innings in his five starts with the Mets earlier this season.

The Mets placed Scott on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a right hip impingement.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Scott's hip issue isn't believed to be serious, which should give the right-hander a chance at returning from the IL around when he's first eligible June 27. The loss of Scott will still force the Mets to add two new members to the rotation this week, with Tobias Myers already having been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to fill one of the openings during Monday's series opener in Cincinnati. Long reliever David Peterson is a candidate to cover Scott's spot in the rotation Tuesday, and Triple-A starters Jack Wenninger and Zach Thornton also loom as potential replacements.

The Royals promoted Chourio from Single-A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities on Monday.

Chourio was one of the top performing pitchers in the Carolina League through the first two-plus months of the season, despite being much younger than most of his peers at just 18 years old. He rode a mid-90s fastball and a pair of strong secondary offerings to a 1.88 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB in 48 innings, with his dominance earning him a bump up to High-A. With a strong finish to the season at Quad Cities, Chourio could be in position to open the 2027 campaign at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and put himself on the radar for a big-league debut later next summer.