Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow) started his minor-league rehab assignment with Low-A Lakeland on Thursday and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings his first time out with three hits allowed, no walks and two strikeouts. Gipson-Long was finally cleared to start pitching in real games again after facing live hitters in late April. The 27-year-old is recovering from right UCL reconstruction (Tommy John surgery) last April and also a left-hip labral repair in early July of 2024, so he still has a ways to go before he'll be an option for the Tigers in the big leagues. Gipson-Long made it to the big leagues in 2023 and looked strong, allowing seven runs (six earned) while walking eight and fanning 26 in four starts (20 innings). It's more than anyone expected for a pitcher that wasn't high on prospect lists entering that season. Gipson-Long could rejoin the minors around the All-Star break when he's cleared.

The Detroit Tigers optioned right-hander Keider Montero back to Triple-A Toledo on Friday after his spot start during the team's doubleheader in Colorado against the Rockies on Thursday. Montero was excellent against the last-place Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field in the second game of the twin bill, allowing just one earned run on five hits while walking three and striking out two in eight innings for his first win of 2025. The 24-year-old will go back to the farm for now, but he'll surely be back up in the big leagues when the Tigers need another starter, especially after that strong performance. The good outing lowered his ERA to 4.15 on the season and his WHIP to 1.48 WHIP through 21 2/3 innings and four starts. Montero has flashed some high-end potential through his first 120 innings after debuting in 2024, but he's also been very inconsistent with a below-average 18.2% strikeout rate.

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (knee) will make his next minor-league rehab appearance on Sunday for Triple-A Syracuse, according to NorthJersey.com's Andrew Tredinnick. In his three rehab games in the minors with High-A Brooklyn (two starts) and Syracuse, Blackburn has allowed four earned runs on nine hits (two home runs) while walking three and striking out 12 in 8 2/3 innings pitched. The 31-year-old made it through 3 2/3 innings in his last outing at Syracuse and will try to go deeper into the game this Sunday as he works his way back from knee inflammation that surfaced in spring training when he was trying to win a spot in the starting rotation. He had an ERA over 5.00 in five starts for the Mets late last year after being acquired in a trade from the A's, and his season ended early due to a back injury. Blackburn won't be guaranteed a spot in New York's starting rotation when he comes off the injured list.

New York Mets right-hander Frankie Montas (lat) threw his fourth bullpen session on Friday, and his goal is to face live hitters by the end of next week, according to NorthJersey.com's Andrew Tredinnick. Montas was shut down from throwing for almost two months after he was diagnosed with a high-grade right-lat strain in mid-February at the start of spring training. The 32-year-old veteran restarted a throwing program in mid-April, though, and is slowly making progress towards his 2025 season debut with the Mets. The Dominican hurler is ahead of lefty Sean Manaea, who is ramping up from an oblique injury. Montas is currently on the 60-day injured list and isn't expected to rejoin New York's starting rotation until early June, barring a setback. He made just one appearance in 2023 due to injury and was up and down while allowing a ton of hard contact with Milwaukee and Cincy a season ago.

Boston Red Sox startingpitcher Hunter Dobbins was excellent on Friday, tossing six shutout innings while allowing five hits and no walks and striking out six batters. However, the appearance was squandered, as the Red Sox were unable to provide any run support, ultimately losing 2-1 in the 12th inning to the Royals. Dobbins has been good in his four starts so far, posting a 2.78 ERA (3.72 xFIP), 1.19 WHIP, and a 15.6 percent K-BB% over 22 2/3 innings. The righty's next start tentatively lines up with the Tigers, unless Walker Buehler (shoulder) can return in time for that contest. Detroit is averaging the fourth-most runs per game in the majors at 5.68, but they are also averaging 7.67 runs over the last three games, so it is an offense on a roll right now, and caution is warranted if Dobbins is able to get the nod.