MLB Player News

The Phillies haven’t asked for anything more than two innings at a time from Ross this spring, suggesting he’ll remain in middle relief if Ranger Suárez is forced to the IL. Taijuan Walker appears to be the team’s sixth starter right now. It might be for the best; Ross’s stuff hasn’t been up to par this spring, and while he’s managed a 3.12 ERA anyway, he’s fanned only four in 8 2/3 innings. He didn’t get a single missed swing today.

Dalton Rushing will handle the catching duties at Chase Field in this one. Smith has started six of the last eight games behind the plate for Los Angeles. He’s homered twice during that span.

It technically won’t qualify as a setback, but Báez wasn’t progressing as initially hoped from a high-grade ankle sprain. He received the recommendation to take some time off during a visit with a specialist last week. It sounds like he’s going to be out until after next month’s All-Star break based on his current trajectory.

Scherzer will need at least one additional rehab outing to continue building up his pitch count and stamina. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer has been on the shelf recovering from a forearm issue since late April. He should be ready to jump back into Toronto’s lineup sometime around mid-June.

Kirk will be limited to DH at the outset of his extended rehab assignment as he continues to work his way back from a thumb procedure that he underwent back in April. He’s likely going to need at least two weeks of rehab contests to get back up to speed following the extended layoff. Kirk is on track to rejoin Toronto’s lineup at some point in mid-June.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Naylor is available off the bench, if needed. Patrick Wisdom draws the start at the cold corner in his place. The 28-year-old slugging first baseman’s back tightened up on him while crushing a game-tying home run during the seventh inning of Monday’s series opener at T-Mobile Park. It doesn’t sound like a significant concern, but back issues can be complicated matters, so Seattle doesn’t want to take any chances. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day heading into Wednesday’s series finale.

The odds are fairly high that Voth return to Toronto on a new minor league pact after passing through waivers unclaimed over the weekend. The 33-year-old journeyman allowed five runs over 3 1/3 innings during a relief appearances against the Orioles last Friday. He’s merely emergency organizational depth at this stage of his career.

Oswald Peraza is at shortstop for the second straight game in his absence. Neto told reporters that he’s feeling better and hopes to be available off the bench after passing concussion protocol. He added that he’s getting an extra day of rest out of an abundance of caution after experiencing whiplash symptoms following a home-plate collision over the weekend. All signs point to Neto being ready to return for Wednesday’s series finale.

Cease figures to jump back into Toronto’s rotation next week assuming he makes it through Thursday’s tune-up outing without any complications. The 30-year-old upper-echelon fantasy starter hit the injured list with a mild left hamstring strain back on May 25. His return comes at a key point for the Blue Jays, who have struggled to cobble together innings during his absence.

Aldegheri has been brought back to the majors to fortify Los Angeles’ bullpen leading into Tuesday’s contest with the Rockies. The 24-year-old southpaw has allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings of work for the Angels this season.

Fermin heads back to the minors after allowing five runs and only recording two outs during Monday’s relief outing against the Rockies. The 24-year-old has posted an inflated 5.40 ERA and 18/13 K/BB ratio across 15 innings for the Angels this season.