MLB Player News

Rodriguez (shoulder) began playing catch this week, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Rodriguez has been shut down from throwing for the past six weeks after experiencing a setback in his recovery from capsule repair surgery in his right shoulder, but he's finally restarted his throwing program. The 23-year-old is still a significant time period away from seeing game action, and it's unclear if he'll be back with the Angels by the end of 2022.

Heasley allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four across four innings Wednesday against the Giants.

Heasley wasn't hit particularly hard, but he needed 92 pitches to record 12 outs. All of the damage came against him in his final inning, when he allowed a solo home run, a walk and a single. Heasley has had some success -- he had recorded three straight quality starts prior to Wednesday's outing -- though he has now walked multiple hitters in six of his seven starts on the campaign. Overall, he owns a 3.72 ERA, but that is paired with a 26:20 K:BB.

Winckowski (1-1) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out three over five scoreless innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Wednesday.

Winckowski made his major-league debut in late May, but struggled across three innings to take the loss. He looked significantly better Wednesday in a favorable matchup, and the Red Sox's offense gave him plenty of support from the start of the game. He's now allowed a combined four runs, 10 hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in eight innings in his two starts. With Garrett Whitlock (hip) and Nathan Eovaldi (back) both on the 15-day injured list into next week at a minimum, Winckowski is likely to get one more start, which lines up to be a home game versus the Tigers early next week.

Bautista (2-2) took the loss Wednesday versus the Blue Jays. He allowed an unearned run on one hit without recording an out.

Bautista entered with the game tied at 6-6 in the bottom of the 10th inning and gave up an RBI single to Vladimir Guerrero on just his second pitch. This ended an 11-inning scoreless streak for Bautista, though he still hasn't allowed an earned run since May 16. The hard-throwing 26-year-old owns a 1.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB while adding two saves and seven holds through 26 innings this season.

Zimmermann allowed six runs on 11 hits and struck out two in 4.2 innings, taking a no-decision versus the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Zimmermann allowed double-digit hits for the third straight game, and he's given up at least four runs in each of his last six starts. He was spared the loss this time, as the Orioles' offense covered the deficit before losing in the 10th inning. The southpaw's wretched run has inflated his ratios to a 5.94 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 46:11 K:BB across 66.2 innings in 13 starts. He's projected for a home start versus the Nationals next week.

Miller was returned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Miller was charged with the loss during Wednesday's game against the Astros, as he gave up six runs on four hits and two walks while failing to strike out a batter in two-thirds of an inning. The right-hander will head back to the minors for now but should be a candidate to serve as a spot starter later in the year.

Pearson (illness) made another rehab appearance at Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson allowed a run on two hits and no walks while striking out four in two relief innings during Tuesday's outing. Manager Charlie Montoyo was pleased with the 25-year-old's results, as he reached 98-99 mph while tossing two innings for a third consecutive outing. Montoyo is hopeful that Pearson will be able to build up to three innings at some point and have less recovery time between his rehab appearances. The right-hander isn't guaranteed a spot on the major-league roster once he's deemed fully healthy, but the team views him as a multi-inning relief option.

Merryweather was diagnosed Wednesday with a left oblique strain and is considered week-to-week, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Merryweather's injury was characterized as an abdominal strain when he was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, but the new diagnosis likely foreshadows a longer-term absence for the right-hander. After notching a pair of saves early in the 2021 campaign, Merryweather suffered a significant oblique strain that April and hasn't resembled the same dominant pitcher at any point since. Given that he's dealing with another side injury, the Blue Jays are likely to proceed slowly with his rehab program.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he envisions using Holmes in high-leverage situations against the toughest parts of opposing lineups once Aroldis Chapman (Achilles) returns from the 15-day injured list, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Boone clarified that Holmes will be "closing some games, too," but the right-hander doesn't look as though he'll be picking up the majority of save chances like he has thus far during Chapman's absence. Chapman completed a bullpen session Tuesday and may be ready to return from the IL next week, but Holmes should retain plenty of fantasy value in the planned high-leverage role, especially if he still continues to close games every now and then. Holmes has yet to allow a run in his last 27 appearances and sports an 0.59 WHIP and 31:3 K:BB in 29 innings during that span.

Krehbiel (shoulder) threw his second bullpen session of the week Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

After tossing a 15-pitch side session Monday that consisted entirely of fastballs, Krehbiel will incorporate his full arsenal into Wednesday's workout. The right-handed reliever believes he'll be ready to return from the 15-day injured list Saturday when first eligible.