MLB Player News

Rojas isn't in the Mariners' lineup Friday against the Cubs.

Left-hander Jordan Wicks will start Friday's contest on the mound for Chicago, meaning the lefty-hitting Rojas will begin the game on the bench. Luis Urias will start at third base instead while batting ninth.

Verlander (shoulder) will make his second rehab start Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander made his first rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on April 7. He was able to go three innings and struck out six batters, but he also allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk. He reported no issues with his shoulder though, and he will now look to build up his workload Saturday.

Jimenez (adductor) will ramp up his running intensity this week, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

It's good that Jimenez is upping his activity level, but it would appear he's not going to return this weekend as had been hoped. Jimenez has been sidelined for the past week with a left adductor strain. Gavin Sheets has held down designated hitter duties for the Pale Hose since Jimenez was injured.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Manning will be recalled from Triple-A Toledo to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The announcement is hardly a surprise, as Manning was scratched from his scheduled start with Toledo on Wednesday in preparation of a postponement. The right-hander made his season debut April 4 against the Mets and didn't allow a hit with four walks and three strikeouts over 5.2 scoreless frames.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Friday that Robert (hip) is trending toward a six-week absence, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

It's good news, as that's the shorter end of the 6-to-8 week timeline that had been provided when Robert went down with a Grade 2 right hip flexor strain. The White Sox have not put Robert on the 60-day injured list and it sounds like it might not be necessary for them to do so. Dominic Fletcher has been seeing the bulk of the starts in center field for Chicago since Robert was hurt.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Friday that the club is optimistic Moncada (adductor) can return sometime after the All-Star break, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Moncada was given an initial timetable of 3-to-6 months to return from an adductor strain, and it sounds like he'll have a shot to make it back closer to the early side of that timeline. The third baseman was shifted to the 60-day injured list Friday. Lenyn Sosa has assumed third base duties for the White Sox.

Poteet will be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader at Cleveland, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Saturday's contest was postponed due to inclement weather, which will afford Poteet the opportunity to make a spot start in Saturday's twin bill. The right-hander has pitched well in two starts for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season with two runs allowed and a 12:2 K:BB over 8.1 innings. Poteet should serve as the 27th player for the doubleheader, which likely means he'll promptly be sent back to Triple-A.

The Astros selected Kuhnel's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros are in desperate need of bullpen reinforcements, which has led to them giving Kuhnel a look. The right-hander holds a career 6.02 ERA over parts of four seasons at the major-league level.

Mushinski was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Mushinski was needed for 2.2 innings and 54 pitches in Wednesday's loss to the Royals. He'll be replaced with a fresh bullpen arm in Joel Kuhnel.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Pivetta (elbow) will play catch Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Pivetta landed on the injured list just three days ago with a right elbow flexor strain, so it's a good sign that he's already been cleared to throw. The hope is that the right-hander won't be sidelined long. Cooper Criswell is expected to be called up from Triple-A Worcester to fill Pivetta's spot in the Red Sox's rotation.