MLB Player News

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Verlander (neck) could pitch either Wednesday or Thursday against the White Sox in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Manager Joe Espada suggested earlier in the day that Verlander could rejoin the rotation for the Chicago series, and Brown's comments help further narrow down a potential return date for the 41-year-old righty. Verlander was unable to make his scheduled start Saturday versus the Tigers after experiencing neck discomfort during his bullpen session Wednesday, prompting the Astros to push both Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco ahead in the pitching schedule. The extra rest appears to have done Verlander some good, as he was able to play catch prior to Sunday's series finale with Detroit. He'll likely try to throw another bullpen session Monday or Tuesday before the Astros lock him for a start against the White Sox.

Varsho went 2-for-5 with a grand slam in Sunday's win versus Cleveland.

Varsho took Nick Sandlin deep in the fifth inning to record the third grand slam of his career. Varsho has enjoyed a nice start to the month of June, batting .277 with eight extra-base hits and two steals. On the season, the versatile 27-year-old is batting .220 with 11 home runs, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored and seven stolen bases across 67 games.

Povich is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Yankees in New York, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

After being roughed up for six earned runs in 5.1 innings in his MLB debut June 6 in Toronto, Povich rebounded nicely in his second start this past Wednesday, when he struck out six Atlanta batters over six scoreless frames. Povich will be rewarded with a third turn through the rotation for his efforts, but he may need another strong showing Wednesday to stick around with the big club. Dean Kremer (triceps) will likely make another rehab start this week before returning from the 15-day injured list thereafter, and Povich could be the odd man out of the rotation when that happens.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy confirmed Sunday that Scherzer (back/thumb) will return from the 60-day injured list during the upcoming week as long as he experiences no issues bouncing back from his rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock this past Saturday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers will likely officially sign off on Scherzer making his 2024 debut once he throws a bullpen session in front of the coaching and training staffs early in the week, but all signs point to the right-hander being ready to slot back into the rotation with a limited workload restriction, if he has one at all. In his latest rehab outing with Round Rock on Saturday, Scherzer struck out eight while throwing 79 pitches over 4.2 innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks. Since he had been pitching on five days' rest during his time with Round Rock, Scherzer appears likely to start for the Rangers either Friday or Saturday versus the Royals.

Bradford (rib/back) said June 5 that he has begun playing catch off flat ground from 120 feet, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bradford turned some heads by opening the season with three wins and a 1.40 ERA and 0.62 WHIP through his first three starts, but he's been on the shelf since mid-April with a lower back strain and a small stress fracture of a rib. Nearly two months later, Bradford is finally throwing again, and assuming that he's responding well to long tossing, he could be cleared for bullpen sessions in the next week or two. Bradford is without a clear target date for a return from the 60-day injured list, but he may not have a rotation spot waiting for him once he's activated, as Max Scherzer (back/arm) and Tyler Mahle (elbow) could both rejoin the big club before him.

Woo (forearm) will rejoin the Seattle rotation Wednesday on the road against the Guardians, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Woo was forced to miss his most recent scheduled start this past Tuesday versus the White Sox due to right forearm discomfort. After his MRI came back clean, Woo was cleared to resume throwing and is now set to reclaim his spot in the rotation after getting just under a two-week break from pitching. The 24-year-old opened the campaign on the shelf due to right elbow inflammation, but he's been highly effective when available, producing a sparkling 1.07 ERA and 0.53 WHIP while striking out 24 batters over 33.2 innings in six starts this season.

Thorpe (0-1) took the loss Sunday against Arizona, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on six hits and five walks with no strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

After yielding one run across five innings in his MLB debut, Thorpe looked more like a rookie Sunday. The 23-year-old issued five walks in the abbreviated start, an uncharacteristic amount considering he hadn't walked more than two batters in an outing at any level this season. Thorpe allowed the first five batters he faced to reach and yielded a solo homer to Christian Walker in the first inning. He was pulled early in the fourth inning despite having thrown only 60 pitches after a catcher's interference loaded the bases with one out. Considering the lack of alternative starting options, Thorpe should have another turn in the rotation but could be the odd man out once Mike Clevinger (elbow) returns in late June.

Rengifo suffered a left wrist contusion in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Giants, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. He went 1-for-2 with a run scored prior to his departure.

Rengifo took a line drive single from Matt Chapman off his left arm in the bottom of the fourth inning while playing third base, exiting the contest thereafter. The 27-year-old underwent X-rays, which showed just a contusion, and he said that he expects to play Monday against the Brewers. Rengifo can be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Lively (6-3) took the loss Sunday against Toronto, yielding four earned runs on six hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out four.

Lively pitched for the first time in eight days after leaving his most recent start with tightness after 65 pitches. He surrendered a two-run home run to Ernie Clement in the second inning, his first home run allowed since May 26. The four earned runs are a season worst for the 32-year-old, who had notched wins in each of his previous five starts. Despite Sunday's rough outing, Lively has pitched well for Cleveland this season, logging a 3.02 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 52:18 K:BB across 59.2 innings pitched. He is currently scheduled for a rematch against Toronto next weekend.

Berrios (6-5) picked up the win Sunday against Cleveland, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and zero walks while striking out one batter over six innings.

Berrios was one out away from recording his 12th quality start of the season, but Daniel Schneemann launched a two-run shot with two outs in the sixth, the only extra-base hit yielded by Berrios. Over his past 10 starts, the 30-year-old has allowed a home run in nine of them, recording a 4.32 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP across 60.1 innings in that span. Berrios will look to bounce back in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend in Cleveland.