MLB Player News

The Rays recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The Rays traded Phil Maton to the Mets on Tuesday, so Rodriguez will now be called upon to fill the vacancy in Tampa Bay's bullpen. The 27-year-old righty allowed three earned runs in 9.2 innings during a brief stint in the majors earlier this year, and he's posted an impressive 1.09 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through 24.2 innings at Durham. He'll likely be used in middle relief while with the Rays.

Drury is batting fifth and making his first start at third base since 2022 in Tuesday's game versus the Rangers.

With Luis Rengifo (wrist) on the 10-day injured list and Keston Hiura starting at second base, Drury is making his return to third. In the 2022 season, Drury made 67 starts at third base and 27 at second, but his subsequent 119 starts have all come at the keystone.

Ward (knee) is starting in left field and batting third Tuesday versus the Rangers.

Ward crashed into the Wrigley Field outfield wall in Sunday's loss to the Cubs, which resulted in some knee soreness. His knee felt better Monday and the outfielder is making his expected return Tuesday.

Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Bloss (shoulder) will likely return from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's game against the Marlins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bloss' availability is still dependent on how he recovers from the bullpen session he threw Tuesday, but chances are that he will be able to take the mound for the first time since his MLB debut June 21. The 23-year-old righty built up to just 55 pitches during his lone rehab appearance with Triple-A Sugar Land this past Saturday, so he'll likely be operating under a pitch-count restriction during his first start back from the IL. However, he'll benefit from a favorable matchup against a Marlins offense that ranks last in the majors in OPS (.632).

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that McCullers (forearm) will not throw for a few days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Espada noted that McCullers' throwing arm was not responding well between bullpen sessions, and the 30-year-old will rest while the team figures out next steps. It's a step back for McCulers, who hasn't pitched since the 2022 World Series and is working his way back from June 2023 surgery to repair the flexor tendon and remove a bone spur in his right forearm.

Verlander (neck) said Tuesday that he's increased the frequency of his flat-ground throwing, but there remains no timetable for when he will throw off a mound, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

While Verlander is feeling better, the progress from his neck injury continues to be slow. He has already been ruled out through the All-Star break, and it would seem at this point that he's unlikely to be ready at the start of the second half.

Criswell could be recalled from Triple-A Worcester to start Friday against the Athletics, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Josh Winckowski is being shifted to the bullpen, creating an opening. Criswell struck out eight and allowed just one hit over six shutout innings in his last start for Worcester and would be on five days' rest Friday. Boston could also opt for a bullpen game versus Oakland.

Winckowski will be available out of the Red Sox bullpen beginning on Wednesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Winckowski was excellent in a long relief outing on June 25 and a start June 30, but he stumbled in a start versus the Yankees over the weekend, allowing three runs over just 3.2 innings. He'll now move to a relief role, which will open up a spot in the rotation on Friday against the Athletics.

Waguespack (shoulder) has been shut down from throwing due to a lower-back issue, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Waguespack has been shelved since May 6 due to inflammation in his right shoulder but was given the green light June 24 to begin a rehab assignment. However, he's picked up a lower-back injury that will require him to be shut down for an unspecified period of time.

Casas (ribs) is expected to start hitting off a tee this week, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Casas has been taking dry swings since June 26 but will progress to hitting off a tee later this week. The first baseman isn't expected to begin a rehab assignment until after the All-Star break, but it's possible he'll be activated near the end of July.