MLB Player News

Cubs manager David Ross told reporters Sunday that Hendricks (shoulder) is set to begin a rehab assignment, but the team hasn't decided what level he'll head to, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The decision will likely be based in part on the weather forecasts in the various cities the affiliates of the Cubs will be playing in. The right-hander threw three innings in a simulated game Saturday in Arizona at the Cubs' spring training facility, and he will throw a side session Tuesday before they make the decision where his rehab starts will take place. Hendricks is working his way back from the shoulder strain that has sidelined him throughout the beginning of the 2023 campaign, and he will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances in the minors. If all goes well, he should be a part of the Cubs' rotation in the middle of May.

McKenzie (shoulder) began a throwing program Friday, MLB.com reports.

Sidelined all season with the right teres major muscle strain he suffered in his final Cactus League start in late March, McKenzie has finally taken the first meaningful step forward in his recovery from the injury. He played catch from approximately 75 feet Friday, and he should gradually stretch out his throwing distance off flat ground over the next couple of weeks before eventually moving on to mound work. The Guardians transferred McKenzie to the 60-day injured list earlier this month, but the team remains optimistic that the lanky right-hander will be ready to return when first eligible for activation May 29.

Gonsolin (ankle) has joined the Dodgers in Chicago before their game against the Cubs on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gonsolin appears to be coming off his rehab assignment early to make his next appearance for the Dodgers rather than Triple-A Oklahoma City. He could slot in the rotation spot that was vacated by Michael Grove after Grove was diagnosed with a groin strain. Gonsolin was excellent in his action in 2022, and he should get a chance to show off his stuff in the majors in the coming days.

Quantrill (leg) is listed as the Guardians' probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Rockies at Progressive Field.

Quantrill was lifted after tossing a season-low 83 pitches in his last outing Wednesday against the Tigers when he was struck on the leg by a line drive while recording the final out of the bottom of the sixth inning, but his early exit looks to have been mostly precautionary. While the Guardians haven't formally confirmed that the right-hander completed a between-starts bullpen session without issue, Quantrill's inclusion on the pitching schedule for the series with the Rockies suggests he's good to go. He'll tentatively line up for a two-start week, with his second turn expected to come next Sunday in Boston.

Espino (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing and is planning to visit with a doctor after suffering recent setbacks, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Espino was placed on Double-A Akron's 60-day injured list before the season due to a subscapularis strain and anterior capsule tear in his right shoulder. The right-hander has looked like one of the best pitching prospects in baseball when he's been on the mound, but he's accumulated only 18.1 innings since the start of the 2022 season. The Guardians maintained hoped that Espino would be able to return to game action in the early part of the summer, but that's now in doubt in light of his recent setbacks.

The Mets list Lucchesi as their probable starting pitcher for Thursday's game against the Nationals at Citi Field.

With Carlos Carrasco (elbow) hitting the 15-day injured list, Lucchesi was summoned from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday to join New York's rotation for his first MLB appearance since June 2021. The southpaw certainly earned another turn through the rotation, as he struck out nine over seven shutout innings Friday as the Mets cruised to an easy 7-0 win over the Giants. With a matchup on tap versus a weak Nationals offense that enters Sunday ranked 26th in the majors in wRC+ (83), Lucchesi shapes up as an intriguing streaming option during the upcoming week.

Wilcox has a 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB in 12 innings through three starts for Double-A Montgomery.

The 23-year-old righty skipped over High-A completely, as he pitched in rookie ball and at Single-A after returning last season from September 2021 Tommy John surgery. Wilcox has been dominant in his first exposure to upper-level hitting, as his 28.3 K-BB% is in line with his figures from the lower levels. He will need to be added to the 40-man roster in December, and it's looking like he could be big-league ready sooner than expected.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Rodon (back) was able to play catch Sunday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Boone noted that Rodon is expected to continue his throwing progression this week, with the lefty's next step being advancing to throwing a bullpen session. Rodon has yet to make his Yankees debut while working his way back from a forearm strain and a back injury, and because of his lengthy absence, he'll likely need a multi-start rehab assignment before returning from the 15-day injured list.

Alcantara (biceps) is scheduled to start Wednesday's game at Atlanta, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Alcantara was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Guardians due to biceps tendinitis. The right-handed hurler will be able to play catch Sunday, and if all goes well during his bullpen session Monday, he should be able to take the hill Wednesday while handling a normal workload. Fantasy managers should plan on Alcantara being on the bump this week, though it's worthwhile to keep an eye on news pertaining to the 27-year-old leading up to Wednesday's contest.

Cleveland selected Allen's contract from Triple-A Columbus ahead of his scheduled start Sunday versus the Marlins at Progressive Field, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The left-handed hurler will be making his MLB debut after impressing over his three appearances for Columbus with a 1.26 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 14.1 frames. The Cleveland rotation is currently without Triston McKenzie (shoulder) and Aaron Civale (oblique), so Allen could have a path to making multiple turns through the rotation if he's able to acquit himself well in Sunday's outing.