MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) hasn't resumed playing catch and won't accompany the team to New York for this weekend's three-game series versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Verlander isn't eligible to return from the 15-day injured list until Monday, but with the Astros continuing their trip in Toronto and then Minnesota next week, the right-hander's absence for the start of the road swing wouldn't seem to inspire much optimism about his chances of being ready to make a start against the Blue Jays, and perhaps even the Twins. The Astros will likely wait and see if Verlander is able to take any meaningful steps forward in his recovery from the neck issue over the next few days while he's back in Houston before determining his status for the Toronto series.

The Rangers transferred Winn (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

Winn was placed on the 15-day IL earlier this week with what was referred to as right shoulder discomfort, but the Rangers are now classifying the injury as a sprained shoulder capsule. The expectation is that he will be sidelined for eight weeks, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News.

The Rangers activated Foscue (oblique) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Round Rock.

Foscue is fully recovered from the oblique strain that had kept him on the shelf since early April, but the Rangers will keep him at Round Rock, where he had been on a rehab assignment. The rookie infielder is 4-for-21 with one home run in seven games with Round Rock this season.

The Rangers selected Hill's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Hill was outrighted off the 40-man roster following a brief stint in the majors earlier this season, but he's back with the big club and will start in center field and bat eighth Wednesday in Milwaukee. The 28-year-old sports a career .591 OPS over parts of five major-league seasons.

The Rangers optioned Duran to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Duran had a nice first full season with the Rangers in 2023, slashing .276/.324/.443 with 14 home runs and eight stolen bases. His follow-up in 2024 hasn't been as successful, as he sports just a .256/.294/.324 line with two home runs and one steal over 58 contests. Duran could still play a prominent role with the Rangers later this season, but for now he'll try to get back on track in a less-pressurized environment.

Scherzer (thumb) is listed as the Rangers' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game in Baltimore, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Scherzer returned from the 60-day injured list to make his 2024 debut for the big club this past Sunday and was in vintage form in a win over the Royals, tossing five scoreless innings and allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out four. Though he experienced no setbacks in his return from offseason back surgery nor the nerve problem in his right arm that cropped up in late April, Scherzer was pulled earlier than expected from Sunday's outing due to thumb soreness. Per McFarland, Scherzer was able to complete a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and while the right-hander acknowledged he was still contending with some soreness in the thumb, it doesn't look as though it'll prevent him from making his second start of the season this weekend.

Jung (wrist) said Wednesday that he expects to resume swinging a bat in a few days, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jung was examined Tuesday in Phoenix by the doctor who performed his right wrist surgery back in early April. While the third baseman has had his activation from the 60-day injured list pushed back a bit due to inflammation in the wrist, he's been told that his wrist is sound structurally. Jung's return has effectively been ruled out through the weekend, but it's possible he'll rejoin the Texas lineup shortly after that. More should be known regarding a potential target date for his return in the coming days.

Muller (shoulder) fired a scoreless inning in his rehab outing with Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, allowing one hit and recording a strikeout.

Muller kicked off his rehab assignment in solid fashion, successfully working around a single and getting through his one frame on 10 pitches. The left-hander is due to make multiple appearances for the Aviators before activation is considered, although he may not need more than a couple of more outings considering he won't need to build up much as a result of his relief role.

Alexander is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

After being called up from Triple-A Omaha on Monday, Alexander started at third base in the first two games of the Royals' series with the Marlins, going 0-for-6 with a pair of strikeouts. He'll take a seat Wednesday while Nick Loftin occupies third base, and it's possible the two could be part of a timeshare at the hot corner until Michael Massey is cleared to play the infield again after he served as Kansas City's designated hitter in his first two games back from the injured list.

Stripling (elbow) was able to complete a bullpen session before Tuesday's game against the Angels and is set to throw another Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander came away feeling healthy from Tuesday's activity, and he's expected to throw 30-35 pitches in his session Saturday. Assuming that bullpen also goes off without a hitch, Stripling could be deemed ready to face hitters at some point during the subsequent week.