Colorado Rockies designated hitter Kris Bryant (back) will have an ablation procedure performed on his back on Thursday in Los Angeles to aid in his healing, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. Bryant was hoping to have the procedure last week, but doctors found blood in an area that sparked fears of an infection. Thankfully, he tested negative for any infection. "It seems pretty intense," Bryant said. "But it's not a crazy recovery period. They actually go into the bone and try to kill the nerves to the vertebrae." The 33-year-old has dealt with one injury after another since joining the Rockies in 2022. He hasn't played in more than 80 games in a single season and was batting .154 (6-for-39) with no homers and 13 K's before landing on the injured list this year. Bryant is hoping to return at some point this season, but it also wouldn't be a surprise if he's eventually shut down.

New York Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman (knee) threw off a bullpen mound last Friday and on Monday, and his next step is to face live hitters in batting practice "later in the week, and then we'll see where we are," manager Aaron Boone said. Stroman has received multiple injections to alleviate discomfort in his inflamed left knee. The Yankees placed the 34-year-old veteran on the 15-day injured list in mid-April with left-knee inflammation. Stroman will most likely require at least a short minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the IL, but when he's ready, there's a good chance he'll head to the bullpen in the Bronx. In his three starts before getting hurt, Stroman was roughed up to the tune of 12 earned runs on 12 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out seven against the Brewers, Pirates and Giants.

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Jake Cousins (forearm) threw roughly 15 pitches in a live batting practice session at Yankee Stadium before the team's blowout win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Cousins said that he is eyeing a big-league return in early to mid June. He was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on March 27 due to a right-forearm strain, and he's eligible to return as early as May 26. The 30-year-old hurler will soon go on a minor-league rehab assignment after maybe a few more live BP sessions. When he's healthy enough to return to New York's big-league bullpen, Cousins will be an option in late-inning, high-leverage situations after posting a career-best 2.37 ERA (4.06 FIP), a 1.05 WHIP, his first career save, a career-high 53 strikeouts and 20 walks in 38 innings over 37 appearances out of the bullpen.

The New York Yankees are not ruling out designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) being ready to return when he's eligible to come off the 60-day injured list in late May, according to manager Aaron Boone. The skipper also said Stanton's rehab will look different than most players since the team doesn't need to get him ready to play the field. The 35-year-old veteran slugger missed all of spring training and has yet to play in 2025 due to torn ligaments in both of his elbows, but he could have a shorter rehab assignment than most as just a hitter. He started taking batting practice late last month and appears to be getting close to facing live pitching, a notable step in the rehab process. The Yankees will surely be cautious with the oft-injured Stanton and will probably ease him into DH duties when he returns. Stanton's eventual return will mostly be bad news for Ben Rice.UPDATE: Stanton took live batting practice on Tuesday and will continue workouts in New York on the team's upcoming West Coast road trip.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that he is hopeful that outfielder Tyler O'Neill (neck) will rejoin the team this weekend in Anaheim for a series against the Los Angeles Angels and make his return from the 10-day injured list. In his first minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, O'Neill went 1-for-3 at the plate as the designated hitter. The 29-year-old oft-injured outfielder has been away from the Orioles since late April due to neck soreness, but he may only need one or two more rehab games in the minors before returning to big-league action for Baltimore. Even though the Canadian native was hitting just .215 (14-for-65) with two homers, 10 RBI and eight runs scored before his injury, he should return to being a lineup regular for the O's when he's activated. Ramon Laureano will likely be the biggest loser in terms of playing time when O'Neill is back.