MLB Player News

Williams (elbow) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday, MLB.com reports.

Williams is in line to face live hitters for the first time since he felt discomfort in his right elbow after making an awkward throw during a weighted-ball workout in the first or second week of March. Though he wasn't shut down from throwing for long, the elbow issue slowed him down enough to force him to the 15-day injured list to begin the season. Assuming his upcoming sim game goes well, Williams could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment late next week or early during the following week. He could require two rehab starts before being activated and seems to be trending toward a late-April or early May season debut with Cleveland.

Curry (illness) struck out one and allowed one earned run on five hits and three walks over 4.1 innings in his second rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday.

Curry threw 59 pitches during the outing and looks poised to return from the 15-day injured list during the Guardians' upcoming series in Boston that begins Monday. Though Curry looked poised to begin the season in the Cleveland bullpen before falling victim to a viral illness, he could get a chance to slot in the rotation if he returns from the IL during the upcoming week. A doubleheader Saturday with the Yankees creates a temporary need for a sixth starter, and Curry could be called upon to fill the void either Tuesday or Wednesday in Boston.

Lively (illness) struck out one while allowing three earned runs on four hits and no walks over 5.1 innings in his second rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

After battling a viral illness in spring training that cost him about two weeks of action, Lively opened the season on the 15-day injured list. He might be fully built up by this point, however, as he reached the sixth inning of Tuesday's rehab outing and tossed 55 pitches in the start. Though Lively appeared likely to serve as organizational starting depth in 2024, he could have a clear path to a rotation spot in the short term while Shane Bieber (elbow) and Gavin Williams (elbow) are on the shelf. Bieber is lost for the season, but Williams is expected back in late April or early May.

Hentges (finger) is scheduled to resume throwing live batting practice sessions early next week, MLB.com reports.

Hentges had initially been slated to face hitters Friday, but the live session ended up getting pushed back due to poor weather in Cleveland. Once Hentges throws at least two BP sessions, he'll presumably head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 27-year-old reliever opened the season on the 15-day injured list due to left middle finger inflammation.

The Guardians will recall Parsons from Triple-A Columbus and designate him as their 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader versus the Yankees, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Parsons will be available only for the second game of the twin bill and is expected to be returned to Columbus immediately after the doubleheader concludes. If Parsons pitches in Game 2, it would mark his Guardians debut after Cleveland acquired him from Toronto on Wednesday.

The Rays optioned Waguespack to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

Waguespack will be squeezed off the active roster as Tyler Alexander returns from the bereavement list Saturday. The 30-year-old right-hander posted a 5.40 ERA and 2.30 WHIP across 10 innings through four appearances and may return to Tampa Bay later this season should the Rays' pitching depth be tested again.

The Rays reinstated Alexander from the bereavement list Saturday.

Alexander has gotten off to a rough start this year, surrendering nine earned runs on 14 hits through 9.1 frames, and he is expected to make his next start Sunday against San Francisco. Jacob Waguespack was optioned to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Mets.

Perez was responsible for the Royals' only run and one of their three hits when he took Luis Severino deep in the second inning. Perez continues to hit well in the cleanup spot, batting .327 with an .871 OPS, three homers, 11 RBI, seven runs scored and a double over 14 contests. With the Royals playing well early on, Perez's success should lead to an increase in counting stats after he had 80 RBI and 59 runs scored over 140 games last year.

Bleday is not in Saturday's lineup against the Nationals.

He'll head to the bench against lefty MacKenzie Gore. Bleday is hitting .236 with one home run, three runs and five RBI in 55 at-bats.

Brown is not in Saturday's lineup against the Nationals.

Brown will head to the bench with lefty MacKenzie Gore on the mound for the Nationals. Tyler Nevin draws the start in left field while Abraham Toro starts at designated hitter.