MLB Player News

Cole (elbow) is expected to throw live batting practice Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Thursday's session will be Cole's third against hitters and his first since throwing 30 pitches in a two-inning simulated game Saturday. There had been some talk after that session of the right-hander potentially next advancing to a minor-league rehab assignment, but it appears that isn't in the cards quite yet. Still, Cole seems to be progressing well in his recovery from right elbow inflammation and could be back in the Yankees' rotation by the the latter half of June.

Lee went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Lee took Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano deep in the ninth inning, but the White Sox couldn't build off his big hit. The catcher opened May going 12-for-29 over eight games, then cooled off by going 7-for-36 (.194) over his last 12 contests. He's at a .274/.309/.427 slash line with five homers, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, three stolen bases and three doubles over 123 plate appearances on the year. Lee still has an edge for playing time over the light-hitting Martin Maldonado.

Flexen (2-5) allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out six over five innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.

Flexen doesn't have the best command, but he hit a low point for the year with this outing. The right-hander has surrendered 16 runs across 18.1 innings over his last four starts, and Wednesday was the first time in that span he's completed five innings. He's now at a 5.50 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 42:22 K:BB over 54 innings across 12 appearances (10 starts) this season. Flexen is projected to make his next start on the road versus the Cubs.

Romano allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the White Sox.

Romano had enough of a cushion that he was able to get away with allowing a solo home run to Korey Lee. This was the second outing in a row in which Romano's given up a homer. The right-hander is 8-for-9 in save chances this season while pitching to a shaky 6.59 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB over 13.2 innings. He's yet to go more than two outings in a row without giving up a run, so while he remains the Blue Jays' closer, his appearances have often included a dash of drama.

Richards (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk over 3.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday versus the White Sox.

Alek Manoah started the game but left in the second inning due to right elbow discomfort. Richards stepped up with his longest outing of the season to at least partially spare the Blue Jays' bullpen, and he was rewarded with the victory. Richards has a 3.29 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB over 27.1 innings this season. If Manoah is forced to miss time, it's unlikely Richards steps into the rotation, as he hasn't regularly seen work as a starter since 2019.

Castro went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Royals.

Castro was in a bit of a slump -- he went 0-for-12 over the previous four games before this multi-hit effort. He had a hot stretch in late April and early May, but he's otherwise been little more than league-average at the plate. The 27-year-old is slashing .258/.332/.419 with four home runs, 16 RBI, 27 runs scored, seven stolen bases, 12 doubles and three triples through 55 games this season.

Ober (5-3) took the loss Wednesday versus the Royals, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out four and walking none over five innings.

Ober gave up hard contact -- Nelson Velazquez hit two home runs and Salvador Perez added a solo shot and an RBI double. This was the first time since his disastrous season debut that Ober allowed multiple homers, though he has yielded seven long balls over his last six starts. He's at a 4.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB through 57 innings over 11 starts this season. Ober's next start is projected to be on the road versus the Yankees.

Perez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an RBI double and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Twins.

Perez has hit safely in five straight games, going 6-for-21 (.286) in that span. The homer was his first since May 20 and his 10th of the year. He also crossed the 40-RBI mark Wednesday, getting him past halfway to matching his total of 80 RBI over 140 contests last year. The catcher is slashing .325/.386/.537 through 55 games in 2024.

Velazquez went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Twins.

Velazquez looks to be regaining his power swing with four homers over his last seven contests. He's still lacking in overall consistency at the plate -- he was hitless in his previous three games before his strong effort Wednesday. The 25-year-old is up to seven long balls on the year while adding 19 RBI, 24 runs scored, one stolen base and a .224/.292/.410 slash line over 47 contests. Velazquez is seeing steady playing time between the corner outfield spots and designated hitter.

Lugo (9-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Twins, allowing one run on six hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.

Lugo won five of his six starts in May, allowing just nine runs (eight earned) over 40.1 innings in the month. This was just the fourth time in 12 starts Lugo has allowed nine or more baserunners, as he's been one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors this season. The right-hander is now at a 1.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 66:18 K:BB over 78.1 innings this season. Lugo's next start is projected to be at Cleveland in a battle between the AL Central's two best teams.