MLB Player News

Hader (1-3) allowed a solo home run and struck out one to take the loss Sunday against the Mariners.

Hader entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied 4-4. He retired the first batter he faced but then served up the go-ahead homer to Cal Raleigh. Hader had turned in three consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run prior to Sunday, though he's now been charged with at least one run in six of his 15 appearances.

Poche (back) threw on flat ground Sunday and is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.

Poche had been shut down since hitting the injured list April 26, after receiving an injection in his back and resting for several days. He's projected to return in mid-May barring any setbacks, suggesting he may not need a rehab assignment.

Garcia (elbow) completed his most recent bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Garcia was cleared to resume throwing off a mound in the middle of April and has remained at the same stage of his recovery program for three weeks. The Astros haven't indicated that Garcia has experienced any setbacks in his recovery from his May 19, 2023 Tommy John surgery, so the right-hander could soon be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. Houston is hopeful to get Garcia back from the 60-day injured list at some point around the middle of the season.

Murfee (elbow) was recently cleared to resume throwing off the slope of a mound, MLB.com reports.

Murfee is on the mend from July 5, 2023 surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow. The right-hander should soon begin throwing off the top of the mound while gradually ratcheting up the volume and intensity of his bullpen sessions. After that, Murfee will face live hitters in batting practice before eventually heading out on what will likely be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The reliever is unlikely to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list until late in the season.

Tucker went 2-for-3 with a a double and a stolen base in Sunday's 4-1 loss to Cleveland.

The Angels' offense was stagnant in the contest, but Tucker wasn't at fault -- he was the only player on the team with multiple hits, and he also knocked one of the club's three extra-base hits. The 2014 first-round draft pick added a stolen base in the fifth inning, giving him three thefts in only five games this season. Tucker isn't locked into an everyday role, but he's been productive when given the opportunity, slashing .417/.462/.583 through 13 plate appearances.

Judge went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a walk in Sunday's 5-2 victory versus Detroit.

A day after he was ejected from a game for the first time in his career, Judge belted a solo shot off Tarik Skubal in his first at-bat of the contest. The slugger added a sixth-inning double to notch just his second game with multiple extra-base hits this season. Judge is still slashing a meager .220/.350/.439 on the campaign, but he's batting .355 with three of his seven homers and seven of his 20 RBI over his past nine games.

Lowe (hamstring) went 3-for-8 with two home runs in consecutive rehab appearances for Triple-A Durham on Saturday and Sunday.

Since resuming his rehab appearance with Durham on May, Lowe had gone 3-for-14 with seven strikeouts prior to Saturday's game, when he slugged both of his home runs. His ability to hit for power was a positive sign, though he did strike out four times between Saturday and Sunday. Nevertheless, Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Lowe's results were a step in the right direction, per MLB.com. Lowe could be a candidate to return from the 10-day injured list during the Rays' upcoming series with the White Sox that begins Monday.

Kirby (knee) is listed as the Mariners' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Twins at Target Field.

In his most recent start Friday against the Astros, Kirby contended with a right knee issue and was lifted after just 88 pitches. Kirby was sent in for an MRI on Saturday, and though the Mariners aren't disclosing the results of his imaging, neither the pitcher nor manager Scott Servais believe the knee issue is anything concerning, per MLB.com. The Mariners' tune could change if Kirby's knee is still bothering him following a between-starts bullpen session, but for now, fantasy managers should plan on the right-hander being available to start Wednesday without restrictions.

Ragans (calf) is listed as the Royals' probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Brewers in Kansas City.

Ragans experienced cramping in his left calf in his most recent start this past Tuesday against the Blue Jays, but he had already tossed 6.2 innings (105 pitches) and likely wouldn't have stayed in the game any longer even if he wasn't experiencing any discomfort. The Royals didn't suggest that Ragans required any follow-up testing, so he's not expected to face any restrictions as he takes the hill Monday for his eighth start of the season. Ragans tentatively lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing expected to come Saturday against the Angels.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two RBI on Sunday against the Mets.

Diaz is hitting just .235 across his 150 plate appearances of the season, though his results have begun to turn around of late. Sunday marked his third straight start with two hits, and he also has a double, four RBI and a run scored in that span. Diaz has only two barrels in 114 batted ball events to begin the season, though he should continue to see hits fall in at an increased clip as he's maintained a 15.3 percent strikeout rate -- in line with his career norm.