MLB Player News

Montero will start Sunday's game against the White Sox in Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Justin Verlander (hip/hamstring) had been slated to return from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game, but he encountered a setback. Montero made a relief appearance Tuesday versus the Astros, but his other 13 outings this season have been starts. He's collected a 3.67 ERA and 50:17 K:BB over 73.2 frames this season. Verlander is expected to miss multiple weeks, so Montero is likely to get multiple turns in the Detroit rotation.

Verlander (hip) has been scratched from a scheduled start Sunday versus the White Sox due to a left hamstring injury, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Verlander had been slated to return from a nearly three-month absence with left hip inflammation, but he encountered a setback with his hamstring during a bullpen session Wednesday. The Tigers expect the 43-year-old's recovery to last "a matter of weeks." Keider Montero will start for the Tigers on Sunday and is likely to make additional starts while Verlander recovers.

The Royals optioned Black to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

The right-hander was called up by the Royals in late May and will return to Omaha after giving up seven runs with a 10:9 K:BB over 13 innings during this stint in the majors. Black's demotion clears roster space for Seth Lugo (concussion), who is starting Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Montgomery is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Detroit.

After starting eight straight games after his promotion, Montgomery is seeing his first day off. He went 4-for-9 with a home run and two doubles in his first two games, but Montgomery is just 2-for-22 with a 1:8 BB:K across his past six contests. He'll get a breather as the Tigers send ace Tarik Skubal to the mound. Junior Perez will play right field in Montgomery's stead.

The Royals reinstated Lugo (concussion) from the 7-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Cardinals.

The 36-year-old has been on the shelf for the past week after being struck in the head by a comebacker, but he'll quickly re-enter Kansas City's rotation. Lugo has a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 66:25 K:BB across 79.1 innings through 14 starts this season.

The Rays activated DeLuca (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

DeLuca made a quick recovery from his right hamstring strain, as he made it back in less than a month after initially being assigned a 6-to-8 week timeline. The 27-year-old outfielder played four rehab games with Triple-A Durham, going 4-for-11 with a 4:2 BB:K. DeLuca could settle back in as Tampa Bay's primary right fielder.

Wells (head) went 2-for-5 with two homers and three RBI in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

This was Wells' second rehab game after he landed on the 10-day IL due to cervical headaches June 6. Given his performance Thursday, the backstop appears to be feeling much better. Per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that the team hasn't yet made a decision on when Wells will return to the big-league club, but that could happen at some point this weekend.

The Blue Jays recalled Little from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Little made the Opening Day roster but was sent down in early April after getting rocked for 11 runs (10 earned) over his first 3.2 innings. The 29-year-old appeared to get on track at Buffalo, authoring a 2.31 ERA and 32:19 K:BB across 23.1 frames. Little give the Blue Jays a second lefty in the bullpen alongside Mason Fluharty.

The Blue Jays optioned Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Dallas was just recalled Wednesday and did not make an appearance during his time with the big club. He's being replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by Brendon Little.

McMahon went 1-for-3 with a solo home run against the White Sox in a loss Thursday.

McMahon produced New York's only run of the game with a 430-foot blast in the third inning. It was the veteran third baseman's first extra-base hit since June 8, a span of eight games. Extending further, McMahon has batted just .233 with two homers and four RBI through 13 games in June. His .639 OPS over 67 contests is on pace for his career-worst mark over a full MLB season.