• Max Scherzer targeting rehab outing next week
    Max Scherzer (back, thumb) is likely to make a minor league rehab start next week.

    Advice: Scherzer told reporters Thursday that his thumb is improving and he was able to resume playing catch without any issues. The hope is that he’ll be ready for a minor league outing at some point next week. Barring any further setbacks, he could return to Texas’ starting rotation mix by mid-May. Rotoworld 1 minute ago
    Max ScherzerTEX - SP
    W, 6-0 vs WSH
     
  • Gavin Williams (elbow) resumes throwing program
    Gavin Williams (elbow) resumed throwing on Thursday.

    Advice: Guardians manager Stephen Vogt added that Williams was re-evaluated earlier and cleared to resume throwing and is on the road back to rejoining Cleveland’s starting rotation. The 24-year-old righty was shut down from throwing last week due to renewed elbow discomfort and has been on the shelf since spring training following a couple setbacks in his rehabilitation process. Rotoworld 3 minutes ago
     
  • In line to return Sunday
    Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Nelson (elbow) will "most likely" return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game versus the Padres at Chase Field, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

    Advice: On the shelf since April 19 with a bruised right elbow, Nelson has bounced back well enough since he resumed throwing to avoid a minor-league rehab assignment. Nelson will presumably throw another bullpen session Friday, and if all goes well, he'll take the hill Sunday with few restrictions, if any. Through his first four starts for Arizona before landing on the IL, Nelson went 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB in 15.2 innings. Rotowire.com 4 minutes ago
     
  • Cleared to start Friday
    Hicks (side) is listed as the Giants' probable starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

    Advice: Hicks contended with side tightness during his most recent outing against the Pirates last Saturday, when he struck out a season-high nine over six innings while allowing one earned run on five hits and no walks. The injury apparently didn't hinder him during his between-starts bullpen session, so he's on track to take the hill for the seventh time this season Friday. After pitching exclusively in relief between stops with St. Louis and Toronto in 2023, Hicks has performed even better than the Giants could have imagined after signing him to a four-year, $44 million deal this winter with the plan of converting him to a full-time starting role. Through his first six turns through the rotation, Hicks has delivered two wins to go with a 1.59 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB in 34 innings. Rotowire.com 9 minutes ago
     
  • Goes five innings in no-decision
    Houser did not factor into the decision against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out two.

    Advice: Houser held the Cubs to one run through his first four innings before giving up a three-run homer to Christopher Morel in the fifth. While the Mets would rally for a win in extra innings, saving Houser from a third straight loss, it was another subpar outing from the 31-year-old right-hander. Houser's yet to record an out in the sixth inning this year while posting an ugly 8.16 ERA with a 1.85 WHIP and 6.28 BB/9 -- well up from his career average of 3.68. With Christian Scott, the Mets' top pitching prospect, poised to join the rotation this weekend and Tylor Megill (shoulder) working his way back from injury, Houser's starting job could soon be in jeopardy. Rotowire.com 10 minutes ago
     
  • Another start on tap
    Wesneski is slated to start Friday's series opener against the Brewers in Chicago.

    Advice: He'll be making his second straight turn through the rotation after Jordan Wicks (forearm) recently joined Kyle Hendricks (back) and Justin Steele (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list. In his first start of the season this past Sunday in Boston, Wesneski gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings. Rotowire.com 12 minutes ago
     
  • Two doubles, four RBI off the bench
    Lindor went 2-for-3 with a pair of two-run doubles and a run scored in Thursday's 7-6 extra-innings win over the Cubs.

    Advice: Lindor was held out of the lineup Thursday after departing Wednesday's contest with an illness. However, he'd come off the bench as a pinch hitter for Joey Wendle in the sixth inning, pulling a two-run double to cut the Mets' deficit to 5-4. Lindor would then deliver his biggest hit so far this season in the 11th, doubling down the left-field line to drive in two more and give New York a 7-6 walk-off victory. Lindor's struggles early this year have been well documented, though he's starting to show signs of turning things around at the plate -- the 30-year-old shortstop's gone 9-for-29 with three doubles and three home runs in his last eight contests. Lindor's now slashing .207/.287/.380 through 136 plate appearances with five home runs, 17 runs scored, 15 RBI and four stolen bases. Rotowire.com 19 minutes ago
    W, 7-6 vs CHC
     
  • Resumes throwing
    Williams (elbow) resumed throwing Thursday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Williams was cleared by doctors to restart his throwing program Wednesday, and manager Stephen Vogt said the 24-year-old righty was able to get through his throwing session Thursday without any pain. Williams still has a long way to go in his rehab process, but he is certainly trending in the right direction after suffering a setback during a sim game April 20. Rotowire.com 31 minutes ago
     
  • Struggles in Baltimore
    Rodon (2-2) took the loss Thursday against the Orioles, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits over four innings. He struck out six.

    Advice: After shutting out Baltimore through the first two innings, Rodon allowed three solo home runs between the third and fourth innings before the O's put up a four spot in the fifth, forcing the Yankees to turn to the bullpen. It's a deflating effort from Rodon, who'd allowed just one run over 13 innings in his previous two starts. His ERA is up to 3.68 on the season with a 1.28 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB in seven starts. Rodon will look to bounce back in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the Astros. Rotowire.com 37 minutes ago