MLB Player News

Thornton will start Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Thornton's start Wednesday will mark his MLB debut, and the Mets have officially decided not to use the 24-year-old southpaw behind an opener. He'll be filling the opening left in New York's rotation by Clay Holmes (leg) and should receive several opportunities to make an impression with the big club before Kodai Senga (back) returns from the IL in a few weeks.

Cease (3-2) took the loss against the Yankees on Tuesday, allowing five runs on four hits and four walk while striking out nine across five innings.

It was an up-and-down performance from Cease, who recorded six of his nine punchouts through the first three innings, striking out the side in the third. However, Cease issued three of his four walks over the next two frames and gave up all five runs on homers by Ryan McMahon and Ben Rice in the fourth and fifth, respectively. Cease had given up just one home run through his first nine starts of the season, and Tuesday was the first time he yielded two homers in a start since last Aug. 21. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is lined up for this weekend at home against the Pirates.

Perez didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Marlins, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks over five innings, He struck out 10.

Moving back into the rotation after JR Ritchie was sent back down to Triple-A Gwinnett, Perez got ambushed by Miami for three runs in the bottom of the first inning, but he kept his focus and wound up setting a new career high in strikeouts while firing 55 of 78 pitches for strikes. The veteran southpaw sports a 2.85 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 38:13 K:BB through 41 innings over 10 appearances (six starts), and he'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Nationals.

McLean (2-3) took the loss against the Nationals on Tuesday, allowing nine runs (six earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings.

McLean was afforded an early 5-0 run thanks to a pair of two-run homers by Bo Bichette, but that lead quickly evaporated after McLean gave up an inside-the-park grand slam to James Wood in the second inning and another five runs over the next two frames. Three of those five runs were unearned, but it was still a rough outing for McLean, whose six earned runs and eight hits were both career worsts. He'll take a 3.57 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 58 innings into his next start, which is lined up for this weekend on the road against the Marlins.

Bradish (2-6) took the loss against the Rays on Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six across 5.1 innings.

Yandy Diaz (hand) had Bradish's number in Tuesday's contest, with the former smacking an RBI double and a solo homer in the first and sixth innings, respectively. Those ended up being the only runs Bradish gave up, but unfortunately for the right-hander, he didn't receive enough run support from his teammates to avoid the loss. He's taken the loss in four of his last five starts and sits at a 4.13 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 52.1 innings. His next start is tentatively slated for next week at home in a rematch against Tampa Bay.

Burnes (elbow) is expected to begin throwing live batting practice Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Burnes will first have to make it through two more bullpen sessions, but assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks, he'll be cleared to face live hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. The 31-year-old righty said he also expects to begin playing in rehab games in a few weeks and is aiming to make his season debut for the D-backs around the All-Star break.

The Marlins will option Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The decision to send Garrett down comes after he gave up two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two batters across three innings during his start against Atlanta on Tuesday. It was an improvement over his season debut, during which he surrendered five earned runs while recording just four outs, but a second consecutive poor outing will force the Marlins to send the 28-year-old lefty back to the minors to right the ship. It's unknown who will take Garrett's place in Miami's rotation.

Priester (shoulder) departed High-A Wisconsin on Tuesday to join Triple-A Nashville for his next rehab start Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Priester's last rehab start was May 16 when he allowed seven earned runs on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings. The right-hander has struggled through his four total rehab outings between Wisconsin and Nashville with a 22.74 ERA and 3.63 WHIP across 6.1 innings. The first three appearances came with Nashville as he nursed a nerve issue in his right wrist, but then he started to deal with shoulder soreness.

The Astros placed McCullers on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Joe Espada said McCullers' shoulder issue is something he's been dealing with for a while. The right-hander didn't bounce back from his most recent start the way the Astros had hoped, so they'll now opt to place him on the shelf and send him back to Houston for further evaluation. A timeline for his return will likely be established once his test results come back.

The Cubs designated Blach for assignment Tuesday.

Blach spun three scoreless innings out of the Cubs' bullpen Monday against the Brewers in his lone appearance for the club, and his reward is being jettisoned from the 26-man and 40-man rosters. The lefty will likely clear waivers, and if that happens, he would have the ability to decline an outright assignment and become a free agent.