MLB Player News

Scherzer (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After receiving the green light to face live hitters Wednesday, Scherzer is now set to return to a competitive setting for the first time since landing on the IL in late April wth forearm tendinitis and ankle inflammation. He's expected to throw between 45 and 60 pitches during his first minor-league outing, and manager John Schneider said the future Hall of Famer will likely need to make multiple rehab starts before he returns from the injured list.

Foster was removed from an appearance at Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday due to right shoulder discomfort, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Foster was charged with one run over 1.1 innings of work before being pulled. It's unclear whether Foster will be sent for an MRI, but even if his removal was precautionary, he'll likely be unavailable for at least a few days. The 27-year-old has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) with a 9:8 K:BB over nine innings covering six relief outings during his time with the Orioles this season.

The Guardians placed Kwan on the bereavement/family medical emergency list Thursday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

By rule, Kwan will miss the Guardians' next three games and as many as seven contests. The club will make a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game against the Red Sox. While Kwan is away, Cleveland could use Chase DeLauter more in the outfield and employ Rhys Hoskins at designated hitter.

The Orioles selected Weston's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Weston has excelled at collecting strikeouts in the minors this season, fanning 40 batters in just 27.1 innings, but he's struggled to limit runs while posting a 6.26 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. Despite his poor effectiveness, the Orioles will add him to their big-league roster and likely deploy him as a multi-inning reliever. Trey Gibson was optioned to Norfolk in a corresponding move.

The Orioles optioned Gibson to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Gibson gave the Orioles 5.2 innings of one-run ball during his season debut in Wednesday's win. Now that his duties as a spot starter are complete, he'll head back to Triple-A in favor of Cameron Weston. Gibson owns a 3.65 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 12.1 innings through his first three MLB appearances and figures to remain a candidate for additional spot starts throughout the season.

Lopez will start at second base and bat ninth in Thursday's contest versus the Astros.

Lopez was signed to a major-league contract Wednesday and has now made two straight starts at second base (both against righties). The 31-year-old has slashed only .227/.298/.280 in 1,223 regular-season plate appearances at the major-league level since the start of the 2022 season, but he's got a steady glove and the Rangers are opting for defense over offense at the keystone.

Foscue is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Astros.

After making 11 straight starts at second base, Foscue has now sat in favor of Nicky Lopez two days in a row. Foscue is in a mini slump, having gone just 1-for-16 over his last five games, and Lopez offers the superior glove at the keystone.

Duran (illness) will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Thursday's game versus the Astros.

Duran had to be removed from Wednesday's contest due to illness, but he will not have to miss any starts. He's been serving as the Rangers' primary shortstop since Corey Seager went down with a back injury in mid-May.

Schultz will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher in Friday's game against the Padres, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Schultz has performed well overall this season, but his ERA remains inflated at 5.30 through 18.2 frames after giving up six runs to the Mets in a May 18 appearance that lasted just one-third of an inning. He's now set for his first opening assignment of the campaign and is likely to remain in the game for an inning or two before Andrew Alvarez takes over in bulk relief.

Pinango is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles.

Pinango saw his five-game hitting streak come to an end Wednesday, when he struck out in all three of his at-bats in the Blue Jays' 2-1 win over the Marlins. Though he's been reasonably productive at the big-league level this season with a .743 OPS across 83 plate appearances, Pinango could nonetheless find himself as an odd man out of the lineup more frequently with the Toronto outfield group suddenly becoming more crowded. The Blue Jays already got Nathan Lukes back from the injured list Monday, and Addison Barger (elbow) appears to be trending toward a return from the shelf in early-to-mid June.