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  • Decision on surgery coming next week
    Whitlock is scheduled to visit Dr. Jeff Dugas in Birmingham, Ala. on May 30, at which point a decision will be made whether he'll require surgery to address his right elbow sprain, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Whitlock was originally placed on the 15-day injured list April 17 with a left oblique strain, but the health of his pitching elbow is now the Red Sox's chief concern after he sustained the injury in his lone rehab start for Triple-A Worcester last Wednesday. He's reportedly dealing with damage to his UCL, so while the early expectation is that he'll need some kind of procedure to address the injury, he'll first consult with Dr. Dugas to see if rest and rehab is a viable treatment plan. Even if Whitlock is able to avoid surgery, he's still likely looking at an extended absence and likely won't be ready to rejoin the Red Sox until the second half of the season even in a best-case scenario. Rotowire.com Today, 4:43 pm
     
  • Elects free agency
    Keller cleared waivers Wednesday and elected to become a free agent, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

    Advice: Keller was DFA'd by the White Sox on Sunday after posting a 4.86 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 16.2 innings, and he'll now try his luck in the open market rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Charlotte. The 28-year-old righty has not found much consistent success throughout his past few seasons in the majors, but he should have no problem securing at least a minor-league deal with another team in need of rotation depth. Rotowire.com Today, 4:29 pm
     
  • Brad Keller elects to explore free agent market
    Brad Keller has elected free agency.

    Advice: The right-hander refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Charlotte after passing through waivers unclaimed and will now long for work on the open market. Keller posted a middling 4.86 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 13/6 K/BB ratio over 16 2/3 innings with the White Sox this season. There are enough teams starving for pitching depth that he shouldn’t be out of work for long. Rotoworld Today, 4:25 pm
     
  • Resumes mound work
    Freeland (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: It's a significant step in Freeland's rehab program, as it's the first time he's thrown off a mound since he landed on the injured list in mid-April with an elbow strain. The left-hander now needs to build up his arm strength before facing live batters and embarking on a rehab assignment, so he's likely still about a month away from rejoining Colorado's rotation. Rotowire.com Today, 4:07 pm
     
  • Throws bullpen session
    Liberatore threw a bullpen session ahead of Wednesday's action against the Orioles, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

    Advice: Following last weekend's start against the Red Sox, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Liberatore wasn't likely to start Saturday versus the Cubs. However, the left-hander's bullpen session could indicate a change of plan, since it wouldn't make much sense to have a regular reliever make himself unavailable on a day during which St. Louis had to complete Tuesday's suspended game in addition to Wednesday's regularly scheduled contest. It remains to be seen who actually starts for the Cardinals on Saturday, but Liberatore seems to still be in the mix, at least. Rotowire.com Today, 4:03 pm
     
  • Dealing with elbow discomfort
    Means was removed from Wednesday's start against the Cardinals due to left elbow discomfort and will undergo medical testing, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: The injury wasn't immediately reported as the left-hander's departure after three innings coincided with a rain delay. Means entered the contest with an average fastball velocity of 90.9 mph this season, but he sat two ticks below that Wednesday. The 31-year-old missed most of last season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and a back injury, so another elbow issue could be a significant concern. Rotowire.com Today, 3:19 pm
    John MeansBAL - SP
    L, 4-5 @STL
    New Player Note
    DTD
     
  • Kyle Freeland (elbow) throws bullpen session
    Kyle Freeland (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, the first time that he has done so since landing on the injured list with a left elbow strain.

    Advice: It’s been more than a month since Freeland has taken a mound, so it’s nice to see him up and throwing again. He’ll probably repeat the process a few times before progressing to facing live hitters. If all goes well there, he’ll need several minor league rehab starts before he’s cleared to return. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him back until the end of June. Rotoworld Today, 3:05 pm
     
  • John Means exits with elbow discomfort Wednesday
    John Means was pulled from Wednesday’s start against the Cardinals after three innings due to discomfort in his elbow.

    Advice: Means exhibited diminished velocity through the first three innings on Wednesday and was then removed after a lengthy rain delay. Orioles’ manager Brandon Hyde told reporters afterwards though that Means would have been done regardless of the rain. He’ll undergo further testing on his elbow to determine the severity of the issue. Fingers crossed. Rotoworld Today, 3:03 pm
    John MeansBAL - SP
    L, 4-5 @STL
    New Player Note
    DTD
     
  • Diamondbacks option Slade Cecconi to Triple-A
    Diamondbacks optioned RHP Slade Cecconi to Triple-A Reno.

    Advice: Cecconi was obliterated in Monday night’s loss to the Dodgers, giving up six runs over five innings against the Dodgers. He’ll try to work through his issues at the Triple-A level for the time being. Brandon Hughes was recalled from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move on Wednesday. Rotoworld Today, 2:52 pm