MLB Player News

Imai returned to Houston on Saturday and will be examined by team physicians while he contends with right arm fatigue, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Imai is the third Astros starting pitcher to leave Houston's road trip early, with Hunter Brown (shoulder) and Cristian Javier (shoulder) both returning to Houston after landing on the 15-day injured list within the past week. The Houston rotation is beginning to look thin, with Mike Burrows and Lance McCullers currently representing the only starters without an injury designation. Imai sits on a 7.27 ERA through 8.2 innings this season, and the Astros should provide an update on the 27-year-old once he undergoes further testing. For now, his availability for his next turn through the rotation -- which is projected to fall during the Astros' upcoming home series versus the Rockies -- is up in the air.

Rojas (hamstring) was activated from Triple-A St. Paul's 7-day injured list Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Rojas opened the season on the 7-day IL due to a hamstring injury. He made his lone rehab outing with Single-A Fort Myers on April 4, when he allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters across 1.1 innings. Rojas has progressed enough in his recovery to return to Triple-A.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rodriguez opened the season on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. He has steadily increased his throwing distance off flat ground, but Saturday will mark his first throwing session on the mound. Rodriguez will likely need to throw multiple bullpen sessions before being cleared to embark on a rehab assignment.

The Rays transferred Rasmussen (personal) from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list Saturday.

The move gives Rasmussen the option of spending an extra day away from the team, though he's still slated to start in Sunday's series finale against the Yankees, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Jesse Scholtens was recalled from Triple-A Durham to replenish the Rays' rotation after Joe Boyle (elbow) was placed on the 15-day IL, and he could start Sunday if Rasmussen is not available.

The Rays placed Boyle on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Friday, due to a right elbow strain.

Boyle likely picked up the injury during Wednesday's start against the Cubs, when he took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings. An MRI revealed a minor strain and some inflammation but no structural damage, and Rays manager Kevin Cash relayed to reporters Saturday that Boyle's placement on the 15-day IL is a "cautionary" move, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv. Boyle is eligible to be activated off the IL in late April, though he'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury and establish an estimated timeline to return. In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled right-hander Jesse Scholtens from Triple-A Durham.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Saturday that Verlander (hip) will make a rehab start before returning from the injured list, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Verlander will be eligible to return from the injured list Thursday, but the Tigers won't activate him right away and instead give him a tune-up outing before reintroducing him to the rotation. Once the veteran righty returns, Casey Mize or Keider Montero will likely be facing a demotion to the bullpen or Triple-A.

Kochanowicz (2-0) earned the win Friday against the Reds after allowing one run on two hits and four walks while striking out two across seven innings.

Kochanowicz tossed only 53 of his 95 pitches for strikes, which might explain his 2:4 K:BB, but he limited the damage to just one run while posting his first quality start of the season. Kochanowicz allowed six runs (five earned) across four innings in his season debut at Houston on March 29, but he's bounced back admirably -- he's allowed just one run in 12.2 innings over his last two starts while posting a 0.95 WHIP despite the 4.3 BB/9. The 26-year-old righty should face a tougher matchup in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week against the Yankees.

Baz (0-1) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Giants, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four across five innings.

Baz was coming off a strong showing his last time out against the Pirates, tossing 5.2 innings and allowing one unearned run in his last start, but he couldn't build off that outing. Baz has now allowed at least three earned runs in two of his first three outings of the season and has yet to pitch six innings in any of his three appearances in 2026. With a 4.50 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 16 innings so far, Baz will look to bounce back against the Diamondbacks at home next week in his next scheduled start.

Snelling struck out 12 batters over five scoreless innings for Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday, allowing two hits and four walks.

The 22-year-old southpaw tossed 94 pitches (57 strikes) in a dominant performance, and efficiency may be the final hurdle for Snelling to clear as he pushes for a promotion to the majors. Through three starts and 13 innings to begin the season for Jacksonville, he's posted a 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB, but he's lasted at least five innings only once. With Janson Junk pitching well in the Marlins' rotation, the organization likely isn't in a rush to bring Snelling up for his MLB debut, but he could be first to get the call should an injury open up a spot.

Quintana (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Thursday and will throw another Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Quintana was forced to the injured list after his first start of the season, but the hamstring issue was never considered serious. He won't need a rehab assignment, so he could return to the rotation as soon as he is eligible to be activated.