MLB Player News

The Astros hope McCullers (forearm/illness) will be ready to throw a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers had to be scratched from his last scheduled rehab appearance this past Friday due to a stomach bug. If the right-hander is able to get through a bullpen session in the coming days without issue, he'll resume his rehab assignment this weekend. McCullers had been tracking toward a season debut by late April, but that timeline could be pushed back a bit.

Scherzer (thumb) played catch in the outfield at Daikin Park prior to Monday's game versus the Astros, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker said afterward that Scherzer felt the session went "OK." The right-hander was throwing for the first time since receiving a second cortisone injection in his injured right thumb last week. Scherzer's timetable to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation remains very much up in the air.

Kirby (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at T-Mobile Park this week, Daniel Kremer of MLB.com reports.

Kirby has thrown several bullpen sessions at the Mariners' spring training complex in Arizona and is almost ready to face hitters for the first time since coming down with right shoulder inflammation in early March. Mariners general manager Justin Hollander indicated Sunday that Kirby could be ready to rejoin the rotation in "May or June," although any timetable at this juncture is approximate. Emerson Hancock is currently filling Kirby's spot in Seattle's rotation.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Stroman is still "feeling some things" in his injured left knee and is likely to require more than 15 days on the injured list, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Stroman began playing catch a few days ago, but he's still not 100 percent and it's not clear when he might be ready to throw off a mound again. The right-hander is eligible to return in late April, but it sounds like it will be at least early May and perhaps longer before he'll be ready to return.

The Blue Jays recalled Walker from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Walker will give manager John Schneider a fresh relief arm after the bullpen had to cover 7.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the Mariners. The left-hander has posted a 6.45 ERA and 23:12 K:BB over 22.1 frames at the big-league level across the previous two seasons.

The Blue Jays optioned Lucas to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After not allowing a run in his first two starts of the season, Lucas was pummeled for 14 runs across 6.2 frames covering his last two outings, resulting in a trip back to the minors. Lucas' turn in the rotation comes up this weekend against the Yankees, and it's unclear how the Blue Jays plan to fill the slot.

Walker is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

Walker hit his second home run of the season this past weekend against the Padres, but he's just 3-for-26 across his last eight contests and is slashing only .156/.253/.260 on the season. Zach Dezenzo is at first base and hitting ninth for the Astros.

The Athletics are set to promote Kurtz from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Kurtz has slashed a robust .321/.385/.655 with seven home runs with Las Vegas this season and will make his major-league debut after racing through the minors. Kurtz is likely to split time between designated hitter and first base with Tyler Soderstrom, resulting in Brent Rooker seeing more starts in left field.

Story went 3-for-4 with a run scored and one RBI in Monday's 4-2 victory over the White Sox.

After receiving a breather Sunday, Story returned in this early Patriots' Day tilt and produced his fourth three-hit game of the season. The 32-year-old shortstop has been electric of late, batting .439 (18-for-41) with three home runs, 11 RBI and five runs scored over his last 10 games. Overall, Story is slashing .337/.366/.528 with five homers, six steals, 15 RBI and 11 runs scored in 93 plate appearances.

Baez will start in center field and bat seventh in Monday's game versus the Padres.

Baez has seen action in center field in three games this season with the Tigers, but this will be his first-ever start at any outfield position at the major-league level. He's expected to play the position frequently while Parker Meadows (shoulder) continues to recover, per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News.