MLB Player News

The left-hander both “looks good” and “feels good” according to Mariners’ skipper Scott Servais. The expectation after Monday’s evaluation is that Ray will be able to begin a throwing program. How long that will take to get him back up to speed remains to be seen, but it’s a step in the right direction for the hard-throwing southpaw. Ray is tentatively scheduled to return to the M’s rotation in mid-May.

Brown struck out five and allowed just one baserunner over two frames on Sunday in his first rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi. The 27-year-old fantasy ace will likely require a couple additional tune-up outings to build up his stamina and pitch count before he’s ready to return to the front of Houston’s rotation at some point in early-to-mid June.

Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters McCullers is waiting for swelling to subside before he resumes throwing. The 32-year-old starter hit the injured list with shoulder inflammation last week. It’s probably going to be a while before he’s ready to return to Houston’s rotation, which means fantasy managers outside of extremely deep mixed leagues can probably move on to alternatives on the waiver wire.

It’ll be Scherzer’s first time facing hitters since landing on the shelf with forearm and ankle issues back in late April. The 41-year-old veteran will need a couple rehab outings to build up his pitch count before he’s ready to rejoin Toronto’s rotation, most likely in the second half of June.

Castro is back at second base and hitting sixth following a three-game absence due to back stiffness. The versatile 29-year-old is hitting .248/.314/.348 with two homers, 16 RBI and three steals in 156 plate appearances over 43 games in his Rockies debut this season.

Muncy sits for the third consecutive game since being drilled on the right wrist during last Friday’s game against the Brewers. The 35-year-old veteran managed to avoid serious injury and the Dodgers aren’t going to rush him back out of an abundance of caution. It’ll be Enrique Hernández making his season debut at third base in his place on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.

Cowser hit for Tyler O’Neill in the seventh today and was 0-for-3 before cranking a 425-foot homer off Jesse Scholtens in his fourth plate appearance. Cowser also hit a three-run homer on Sunday to give the Orioles a 5-3 win over the Tigers. He’s hitting just .200/.287/.316 with three homers in 109 plate appearances on the season, but the big moments might pay off in the playing time department this week.

Bradish settled for just three strikeouts today, but it was a fourth straight positive outing that pulled his ERA down to 3.86. Alas, he left the duel with Shane McClanahan with the Orioles down 1-0, so he’s still stuck on two wins through 11 starts. He’ll try again for No. 3 this weekend at home against the Blue Jays.

Garcia is clearly the No. 1 reliever in the Orioles pen with Ryan Helsley out. Anthony Nunez, who briefly seemed like the team’s favorite for saves, took a blown save after giving up a run in the eighth today. He currently has a 5.11 ERA, compared to 0.77 for Garcia.

We have a new scoreless streak starting. McClanahan allowed only three singles today, and one of those was a bunt from Leody Taveras in the fifth. McClanahan committed a throwing error on that play, allowing Taveras to reach second, but he was able to make a better play on a swinging bunt from Tyler O’Neill later in the inning to end the threat. McClanahan gave up four runs last time out against Baltimore, but this makes five scoreless starts in six turns. He’ll likely make his next start Sunday against the Angels.

Simpson had a nice day at the plate, but he was caught stealing on his lone attempt. He’s now been thrown out on four straight steal attempts, leaving him 14-for-22 on the year. If it causes him to do less running, then he’s just not going to do much else to be helpful in fantasy leagues.