MLB Player News

The Yankees released Woodford on Sunday.

Woodford had been pitching with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, compiling a 4.54 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 39:17 K:B over 39.2 innings across 10 outings (seven starts). The veteran right-hander's contract included an opt-out clause that he chose to exercise, making him a free agent. Woodford will likely look to latch on with another organization, but he may need to accept another minor-league deal given his lack of success in the majors in recent seasons. Across stints with the Pirates and White Sox in 2024, he posted a 7.97 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB over 35 frames.

The Astros transferred Blanco (elbow) to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

The transaction is merely procedural, as Blanco is scheduled to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in the near future. With the right-hander coming off the 40-man roster, the Astros were able to open up a spot for outfielder Jacob Melton, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land.

Stroman (knee) tossed live batting practice in Los Angeles on Saturday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Stroman threw around 30 pitches and two innings, marking the first time he faced live hitters since May 9. The right-hander "looked sharp" according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who also indicated that he's unsure about the next step in Stroman's rehab program. Stroman's last game action came April 11, so he'll almost certainly need a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated off the 15-day injured list. The veteran hurler had been part of New York's rotation prior to getting hurt, but it's not certain that he'll return to that role upon activation.

Abel will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays in Toronto, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

In his MLB debut May 18 versus the Pirates, Abel dazzled with nine strikeouts over six shutout frames, but he was sent back to Lehigh Valley immediately afterward while the Phillies turned to veteran Taijuan Walker to replace the injured Aaron Nola (ankle). With Walker underwhelming in two starts, the Phillies have decided to move him to a bullpen role, opening a spot in the rotation for Abel. He won't necessarily be in store for a long-term stay in the big leagues, as Nola could begin a rehab assignment next week before returning from the injured list by the second week of June.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Walker will move back to the bullpen this week, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports. "I want to see him in a one-inning stint and see what he can do," Thomson said of Walker.

Though Aaron Nola (ankle) won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list the next time a fifth starter is needed Thursday in Toronto, the Phillies will instead call up Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the void. Walker, who was roughed up for four earned runs in four innings against Milwaukee this past Friday, isn't expected to be available out of the bullpen until Tuesday or Wednesday coming off the 89-pitch start. Once he's ready to go, Thomson plans to give the right-hander a trial as a high-leverage reliever, perhaps as a setup man in front of closer Jordan Romano. The manager is optimistic that the shift in role could revive Walker's career, as the 32-year-old has largely disappointed as a starter since signing a four-year, $72 million deal with Philadelphia following the 2022 season.

Rocker (shoulder) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Rays, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander seemed likely require at least one additional rehab outing after throwing 53 pitches over four scoreless innings Thursday for Triple-A Round Rock, but he'll instead rejoin the Rangers with Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) placed on the injured list Sunday. Rocker figures to have some workload limitations in his first start back in the majors, but he pitched well in his two rehab outings with an 8:1 K:BB across seven shutout innings.

The Rangers placed Eovaldi on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right posterior elbow inflammation.

Eovaldi experienced right triceps fatigue coming out of his most recent outing Tuesday, but the Rangers were initially optimistic that he would avoid a stint on the IL after getting a few extra days of rest between starts. The right-hander told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com earlier Sunday that he was feeling good after playing catch and hoped to return to the mound Wednesday or Thursday versus the Rays, but the Rangers' brass evidently felt it was better to give him some additional time off. Per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News, general manager Chris Young reiterated that Eovaldi has nothing structurally wrong with his arm, and the Rangers believe that he'll be able to return from the IL around when he's first eligible June 13. The Rangers will replace Eovaldi in the rotation with Kumar Rocker (shoulder), who will be activated from the IL to start Wednesday.

The Blue Jays optioned Lucas to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

The left-hander followed opener Braydon Fisher against the A's on Saturday and picked up the win after firing 4.2 scoreless innings, but he won't stick in the majors with Erik Swanson (forearm) returning from the injured list Sunday. Lucas has been boom-or-bust in his five MLB appearances this season, as he's covered 15 frames in three scoreless outings but has surrendered 14 runs in his other two starts.

Crawford (knee) is expected to begin a rehab assignment this week, MLB.com reports.

Crawford, who threw a four-inning live batting practice session Saturday, will move on to a multi-start rehab assignment. He could be back by mid-June -- with Tanner Houck (elbow) right behind him -- at which point the Red Sox will have some decisions to make. Existing rotation members Brayan Bello (6.11 ERA in last four starts) and Lucas Giolito (4.78 in six starts) may be in danger of losing their jobs, while Richard Fitts just came off the IL himself.

The Brewers activated Quintana (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game at Philadelphia.

The veteran left-hander is rejoining Milwaukee's rotation Sunday after missing the past three weeks due to a shoulder impingement. Quintana threw 71 pitches across four innings during his lone rehab outing, so he could face some minor workload limitations in his first start back with the Brewers.