MLB Player News

The Rangers are hopeful Scherzer (shoulder) can return from the 15-day injured list as early as next week, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer has experienced relief with his right shoulder following a nerve injection, having completed another bullpen session Sunday. He's slated to face hitters Wednesday, either in a live batting practice session or perhaps a rehab start. If that goes well, Scherzer appears in line to rejoin the big-league rotation next week against the White Sox.

The Rangers are hopeful that Gray (groin) will be ready for activation from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Gray has been out of action since late July due to a right groin strain and will return without having gone on a rehab assignment. The hurler had indicated previously that he could pitch in relief initially, perhaps as soon as Tuesday against the Pirates. Gray could rejoin the rotation after that, although the impending returns of Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) leave his future role somewhat in flux.

Tucker (shin) took batting practice and was involved in outfield drills Monday, but manager Joe Espada said that the outfielder won't be close to heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment until he runs the bases, MLB.com reports.

Tucker remains limited to jogging for the time being while he recovers from a bone bruise in his right shin, which has kept him on the shelf since July 7. The Astros and fantasy managers alike had initially anticipated a brief absence for Tucker, but he's taken far longer than expected to heal from the shin injury and may now be trending toward a September return from the injured list. At the very least, managers shouldn't plan on Tucker being available for the start of the Astros' two-city road trip, which begins Thursday with a four-game set in Baltimore.

Hader (6-6) didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win Monday against Boston.

Hader entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at 4-4. He turned in his 10th consecutive scoreless appearance -- covering 10.1 innings -- during which he's maintained a 12:3 K:BB while also recording seven saves and two wins. Though Hader has a relatively inflated 3.36 ERA for the season, his 0.91 WHIP is his lowest mark since 2021.

Guerrero went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's loss to the Reds.

Getting a partial breather as the DH while batting in his usual No. 3 spot, Guerrero took Julian Aguiar deep in the first inning of the right-hander's first big-league start. The 25-year-old slugger is slashing a massive .355/.437/.742 through 16 games in August with five of his 26 homers on the year, as well as 11 runs and 11 RBI. Guerrero has already matched him home-run total from 2023 in 32 fewer games, and he's firmly on pace to record the third 30-homer campaign of his career.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Pressly (back) played catch Monday, MLB.com reports.

Pressly was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a lower-back strain, but the fact that he resumed throwing two days later bodes well for his chances of rejoining the Astros when first eligible Aug. 29. Espada said that the right-hander had been nursing the back strain for about two weeks before he was deactivated over the weekend.

Murfee experienced soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow following his rehab appearance with Single-A Fayetteville on Thursday and will be held back from throwing for another day or two, MLB.com reports.

The Astros haven't pulled Murfee off his rehab assignment, but it's possible he doesn't make his next appearance until later this week or next week while he waits for the soreness to fully subside. In his first outing since undergoing Tommy John surgery last July, Murfee gave up four earned runs on three hits and one walk while retiring just one batter in his 19-pitch appearance with Fayetteville.

Fletcher went 2-for-4 with a double Monday against the Giants.

Fletcher lost playing time to Corey Julks in early August, but he's now started five straight games in right field. Since being recalled to the big leagues July 29, he has hit .308 with just a 12.2 percent strikeout rate across 39 at-bats. Fletcher has also chipped in four RBI and five runs scored in that span.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Dunning was removed after four innings in his start during Monday's 4-3 win over the Pirates because he was displaying diminished velocity and spin on his pitches, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The right-hander averaged just 88.1 miles per hour with his fastball in the outing, which was down nearly two ticks from his season average. Bochy noted that he doesn't think Dunning is dealing with an injury, and the right-hander doesn't appear in line to undergo any testing. Dunning is tentatively slated for a start this weekend in Cleveland, but it's possible those plans could change.

Urena (4-8) scooped up a win while working in long relief in Monday's 4-3 victory over the Pirates covering four scoreless innings and striking out three batters. He scattered two hits and two walks.

After starting in his last three appearances and taking losses each time out, Urena was moved to the bullpen Monday with the Rangers opting to keep Cody Bradford and Dane Dunning in place as back-end starters in the rotation. Dunning opened Monday's game and gave up three runs over four innings prior to getting piggybacked by Urena, who was able to maintain the Rangers' one-run lead for the next four innings before handing the ball off to closer Kirby Yates in the bottom of the ninth. Though Urena could have a chance at poaching more wins if the Rangers continue to deploy him in tandem with Dunning in the latter's future starts, manager Bruce Bochy is likely to be more flexible with his usage of Urena, making it difficult to stream him with much reliability.