MLB Player News

Ashcraft (elbow) is on a throwing program, which will have him throw from 105 feet beginning July 20 at the Reds' training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Ashcraft will eventually move out to 120 feet and possibly begin bullpen sessions Aug. 2. The right-hander landed on the 60-day injured list in late May and should return at some point during the month of August.

Scott struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 14th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Yankees.

The southpaw fired eight of 11 pitches for strikes and fanned Jazz Chisholm to preserve the victory. Scott has been scored upon in only one of his last 12 appearances dating back to June 11, converting eight of nine saves chances during that stretch while posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 12 innings.

Saalfrank (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The throwing program began with Saalfrank tossing out to 60 feet. The left-hander underwent shoulder surgery ahead of spring training and is considered out for the season.

O'Brien allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning to pick up the save Friday against the Diamondbacks.

The 31-year-old produced an eighth straight scoreless appearance and is once again tied with Mason Miller atop the National League with 25 saves. During that scoreless stretch, O'Brien has surrendered just three hits and three walks while recording seven saves, though he hasn't been particularly dominant with seven strikeouts.

Hart (0-2) blew the save and took the loss against the Royals on Friday, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits in one-third of an inning.

Hart came in for the 10th inning to protect San Diego's 6-3 lead before blowing his first save of the campaign. The 33-year-old allowed an RBI single to Michael Massey and an RBI groundout by Isaac Collins before Carter Jensen plated two runs to give the Royals the win. In 24 appearances this season, Hart has a 5.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB in 34 innings.

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Palencia (elbow) is hopeful to return to the Cubs' bullpen in mid-August, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Counsell noted that Palencia has been slow to progress through his rehab program, as he's had to repeat a few steps along the way, so his absence could potentially extend into late August or September if he continues to show minimal progress. In the meantime, Jacob Webb and Trent Thornton will be in the mix for saves in Chicago.

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Milner (abdomen) will likely return from the injured list sometime around Aug. 1, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Milner has been out since late June after undergoing an emergency appendectomy, but he appears to be in line to return well within the 4-to-6-week timeline he received after his procedure. The 35-year-old southpaw has put up a 3.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 35.2 innings this season.

Henriquez (elbow) began playing catch from 60 feet out Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Henriquez has already been ruled out for the entirety of the 2026 campaign after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery in the offseason, but the fact that he's now playing catch is an encouraging sign of progress. Assuming his rehab continues smoothly, he should be ready for the start of spring training in 2027.

Bender (shin) was cleared to begin a throwing program Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Bender has been on the shelf since the end of June due to a stress reaction in his right shin. He remains without a definitive timeline to return to Miami's bullpen, though his return to activity is certainly a positive sign.

Halvorsen (shoulder) threw live batting practice Thursday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Halvorsen is on the mend from shoulder inflammation that sent him to the injured list July 4. He's started to make significant progress after receiving a cortisone injection, and the Rockies are optimistic that he'll be able to begin a rehab assignment in the near future. A more definitive timeline for his return to Colorado's bullpen will likely emerge once he begins pitching in minor-league games.