MLB Player News

That likely means Henderson, who has been shut down with elbow soreness since late February, will throw primarily fastballs in a non-max effort session. The hope is that he will begin a “return to game progression” on March 15th. That almost assuredly means he will not be ready to start the season. Considering Henderson also dealt with elbow inflammation at the end of last season, there is some cause for concern around his health. He also has to compete with Kyle Harrison, Robert Gasser, and Brandon Sproat for innings in Milwaukee’s rotation, which makes Henderson a player we’d avoid right now in redraft leagues.

Díaz left Tuesday’s game after he was hit on the fingers of both hands by a pitch from Yennier Cano. X-rays came back negative for any fractures though and he was given Wednesday off as a day to recuperate. He’s right back in there as the Rays’ designated hitter and batting cleanup against Yankees’ right-hander Gerrit Cole on Friday evening in the Bronx.

Lukes has a planned day off from his rehab assignment on Friday. He’ll then play in two games on Saturday and Sunday before joining the Blue Jays to be reevaluated on Monday. If all goes well, he’ll be cleared to rejoin the team then. The 31-year-old outfielder has been shelved since the final week of April due to a left hamstring strain.

Smith is getting some additional testing done on Friday. If he’s forced to head to the injured list, Brenan Hanifee would be recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take his spot in the Tigers’ bullpen. Stay tuned.

Melton has missed the entire season thus far while recovering from an elbow strain that he suffered during the spring. He has looked electric on his minor league rehab assignment though and makes for an intriguing option for fantasy purposes as soon as he takes the big league mound. Keider Montero, who had been scheduled to start on Sunday, would be pushed back to Monday in that scenario.

If all goes well with that session, the 26-year-old southpaw will be cleared for a simulated game early next week. If he avoids any setbacks along the way, Crochet is on track to return to the Red Sox’ rotation at some point in June.

Naylor will get a rare day off with left-hander Noah Cameron toeing the slab for the Royals. The 28-year-old slugger has picked up the pace offensively after a sluggish start and is now hitting .250/.317/.356 on the season with five homers, 22 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Patrick Wisdom will start in his place at the cold corner on Friday night and will bat fifth for the M’s.

Ross, 33, made three appearances in the big leagues with the Diamondbacks this season, posting a cringe-inducing 19.64 ERA, 3.00 WHIP and a 2/4 K/BB ratio over 3 2/3 innings of work. He’ll add extra pitching depth for the Rangers at the Triple-A level.

The 34-year-old right-hander opted out of his minor league contract with the Mets last week. Jackson has really struggled in his limited minor league action this season, posting a 7.04 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and a 7/8 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings in eight appearances. He’ll add extra bullpen depth for the Royals.

It looks to be nothing more than a routine night off for the 27-year-old infielder. Lopez is having a strong season at the dish, slashing .342/.373/.487 with four homers, 21 RBI and eight stolen bases in 212 plate appearances. Javier Sanoja will start in his place at shortstop and will bat ninth against Tobias Myers and the Mets on Friday night in Miami.

Grisham was pulled from Wednesday’s contest due to discomfort in his left knee and the was held out of the lineup on Thursday as a precautionary measure. He’s back atop the Yankees’ lineup on Friday and starting in center field against Rays’ right-hander Nick Martinez.