MLB Player News

McKenzie (shoulder) threw another bullpen session Tuesday in New York, MLB.com reports.

The side session was McKenzie's second since he exited his final Cactus League start in late March with a right teres major muscle strain. After throwing a 20-pitch session last weekend consisting entirely of fastballs, it's unclear whether McKenzie was able to incorporate any breaking pitches Tuesday. The Guardians haven't formally outlined McKenzie's next steps, but he's expected to report to the organization's spring training facility in Arizona to continue his throwing progression before eventually heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. McKenzie is first eligible to come off the 60-day IL on May 29, and that date still appears to be a realistic target for his return.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that Irvin will stay on the major-league roster for now, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Martinez wouldn't fully commit to Irvin getting another start after he made his MLB debut Wednesday, but the 26-year-old right-hander probably earned it after delivering 4.1 innings of one-run ball versus the Cubs. If the Nats stay on turn and Irvin does indeed remain a normal part of the rotation, his second major-league outing would likely be on the road early next week in San Francisco.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was noncommittal Thursday when asked whether Matz will remain in the starting rotation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 31-year-old southpaw is currently lined up to start Sunday's series finale against the Tigers, but the Cardinals seem to be considering other options -- maybe even a promotion of Matthew Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis. Matz has gone 0-4 with a 6.39 ERA and 1.71 WHIP through 31 innings (six starts) in the second season of a four-year, $44 million deal.

Civale (oblique) completed a bullpen session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

The side session marked the first time that Civale has taken part in mound work since he suffered a left oblique strain in his April 7 start against the Mariners. The Guardians noted that Civale felt well physically coming out of the session, and he'll be re-evaluated Friday before the team determines his next steps. Though he's now nearly a month removed from suffering the injury, Civale is without a clear timeline for a return, though Mandy Bell of MLB.com notes that Civale is behind fellow starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (shoulder) in their respective rehab programs. McKenzie isn't eligible to come off the IL until May 29, so Civale likely isn't likely to return until at least early June.

Butto was returned to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Butto served as the 27th man for the Mets during Wednesday's doubleheader against the Tigers and allowed one earned run over 2.1 innings of relief. He'll jump back into a starting role at Triple-A.

Cubs manager David Ross said Thursday that Hendricks (shoulder) came out of his second rehab start feeling good, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hendricks allowed four earned runs on two hits and three walks over 2.2 innings Wednesday with Triple-A Iowa after getting lit up for six earned runs across just 1.2 frames in his rehab debut last week. Ross said the veteran right-hander will now join the team in Chicago but only to throw a bullpen session and work on some mechanical issues. It sounds like he'll make at least one more start on the farm before the Cubs consider him an option for their major-league rotation. Hendricks hasn't pitched in a big-league game since last July due to a capsule tear in his shoulder.

Verlander (shoulder) was activated Thursday from the 15-day injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Verlander is set to make his Mets debut in Thursday afternoon's series finale against the Tigers after missing the first five weeks of the 2023 regular season due to a low-grade teres major strain in his right shoulder. He tallied six strikeouts over 4.2 scoreless innings in his lone minor-league rehab start Friday with Double-A Binghamton. It was just a 69-pitch outing, so the veteran right-hander might be limited a bit Thursday in Detroit. Still, he's an obvious must-start for fantasy managers moving forward.

Ober is scheduled to start Friday's series opener in Cleveland.

As anticipated, Ober will receive another turn through the rotation while Kenta Maeda (triceps) and Tyler Mahle (elbow) are stuck on the injured list. In his return from Triple-A St. Paul last weekend, Ober took a no-decision but was excellent over 5.2 innings against the Royals, striking out six while allowing one earned run on four hits and two walks.

Taillon (groin) was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Cubs on Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Taillon will rejoin the Cubs' rotation Thursday versus the Nationals after missing the last two weeks with a strained left groin. The big right-hander will be skipping a rehab assignment, so it's possible he won't be ready for a full workload.

Atlanta placed Wright on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right shoulder inflammation.

Wright will return to the IL for the second time in 2023 on account of a right shoulder issue, as he was previously excluded from Atlanta's season-opening rotation when he was delayed during spring training after battling shoulder soreness during his offseason throwing program. He lasted just two innings in his start Wednesday against the Marlins before succumbing to shoulder inflammation. Atlanta could put Wright through more testing to determine if he's dealing with anything more significant than swelling in the shoulder, but at least for the time being, he'll be in line to miss at least the next two weeks. The big club recalled Dylan Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill Wright's spot in the rotation beginning with Thursday's series finale in Miami.