AL Notes Verlander Garcia Buxton Paddack Rangers Skuba

felt strong during a bullpen se sion today in Houston, Astros manager told reporters (including ), which should line Verlander up to return to the rotation on Wednesday when the Astros face the Red Sox. A neck strain has kept Verlander from pitching in the majors since June 9, and he has ama sed only 57 innings this season due both this current ailment and a bout of shoulder inflammation coming out of Spring Training. However, Verlander has completed two minor league rehab outings and todays bullpen se sion looks like the final checkpoint on his path to recovery. While things are looking promising for Verlander, is more of a question mark. The Athletics Chandler Rome wrote ( ) that as of Friday, Garcia hadnt yet resumed throwing since he was shut down due to sorene s . This is the second time Garcia has hit a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and since Garcia went under the knife in May 2023, a normal rehab timeline wouldve had him ready to return to the majors by this point over 15 months past his procedure date. Though the Astros have said Garcia might return as a reliever rather than as Garrett Hill Jersey a starter, he is running short on time to fully ramp up his readine s to rejoin Houstons pitching staff in any capacity. More from around the American League Twins athletic trainer Nick Paparesta updated reporters (including ) about several injured Minnesota players on Saturday, including and . Buxton received a cortisone shot in his inflamed right hip and recently worked out in a pool, so Paparesta feels were kind of heading in the right direction . This comes as a relief given Buxtons long history of injury problems, including a more serious hip i sue in 2022 that Paparesta feels may have created scar ti sue related to Buxtons current discomfort. As for Paddack, he is set to undergo an MRI on August 27, which will be his second scan since a left forearm strain sent him to the 15-day injured list on July 17. More will be known on Paddacks timeline if the next MRI comes back clean, and he has already started playing games of catch in preparation to return to Minnesotas staff before the season is over. Three of the Rangers injured veteran starters took steps in their recoveries over the weekend, as threw a bullpen se sion today and and each threw three-inning simulated games on Saturday. Gray seems to be the closest to returning, as he told that he could return as a reliever during the Rangers series with the Pirates that begins tomorrow, if he isnt lined up for a proper start during a series with the Guardians that gets underway Friday. A right groin strain sent Gray to the 15-day IL on July 29, while deGrom could begin a Double-A rehab a signment this week in his first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2023. Scherzer hasnt pitched since July 30 due to shoulder fatigue, and Texas manager Bruce Bochy said it hasnt yet been decided if Scherzer will also embark on a rehab a signment next, or if hell first take part in a live batting practice se sion. had another quality start tonight in the Tigers 3-2 win over the Yankees, as the star southpaw limited New York to one run (on three hits and four walks) over six innings of work. Skubal is up to a career-high 155 1/3 innings pitched, and manager told and other reporters that Sunday could very well be his last start on regular rest this season. Since Detroit is all but out of the wild card race, the team has no real reason to put too many extra miles on Skubals arm, though naturally the team isnt going to shut him down completely as he pursues the AL Cy Young Award. Michael Pineda Jersey