MLB Player News

Akin (shoulder) will throw live batting practice at the Orioles' complex in Florida on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Assuming everything goes well during Akin's live session, the plan is for him to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk sometime next week. The 30-year-old southpaw has been on the IL since July 2, so he likely won't need more than one or two tune-up appearances in the minors before rejoining the Orioles.

Nunez (elbow) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery next week, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Nunez landed on the injured list July 3 with a sprained right elbow, and after consulting with doctors, he's decided to undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. The 29-year-old will conclude the 2025 campaign with a 4.66 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 9.2 innings across 10 appearances with the Mets. Given the timing of his procedure, Nunez will most likely remain out through the end of the 2026 season.

Burke notched a hold against the Diamondbacks on Friday with a perfect inning of work.

Burke inherited a 5-4 lead when he entered in the sixth inning and breezed through a trio of Arizona hitters on 13 pitches. The southpaw hasn't been getting used much in high-leverage situations of late -- this was his first hold since June 16 -- but he's been one of the Angels' most effective relievers for the past month. Since June 7, Burke has posted a 0.73 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB over 12.1 frames spanning 17 appearances. He's largely been used in brief spurts as a lefty specialist, as nine of those 17 outings have lasted less than one full inning.

Zerpa will start Saturday's game against the Mets.

Zerpa will take the mound in the first inning on short notice, as original starter Michael Lorenzen was scratched due to an illness. Zerpa owns a 3.89 ERA and 1.32 WHIP through 39.1 innings this season, though he likely won't remain in the game for more than an inning or two before turning the game over to Kansas City's bullpen.

The Cardinals optioned Svanson to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Svanson has been fairly reliable out of the bullpen for the Cardinals this season, turning in a 3.12 ERA and 0.81 WHIP through 26 innings. However, the Cardinals will prioritize filling their bullpen with a fresh arm heading into the All-Star break, so the 26-year-old will head back to Triple-A in favor of Gordon Graceffo.

The Cardinals recalled Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Graceffo owns a 6.62 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 17.2 innings with the Cardinals this season, but he's given up just one run in 7.1 frames since being sent to Triple-A on June 23. His recent turnaround will afford him another chance with the big club, and he'll replace Matt Svanson in St. Louis' bullpen.

Bummer will serve as Atlanta's opening pitcher in a bullpen game Saturday against the Cardinals.

For the second Saturday in a row, Bummer will fill an opener role in a bullpen game while Atlanta has yet to settle on a permanent replacement in the rotation for Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), who is likely to be sidelined until around September. In his previous turn as an opener last weekend against the Orioles, Bummer covered 2.1 innings, and Atlanta could be looking for him to handle a similar workload Saturday. Atlanta doesn't have an obvious candidate to serve as a bulk reliever behind Bummer, though Jesse Chavez and the newly claimed Joey Wentz are available on three days' rest and should be capable of covering multiple frames, if needed.

Gibaut (shoulder) has started playing catch, MLB.com reports.

Gibaut says he's feeling good again, but a targeted return date is unknown at this time. The right-handed reliever should take the usual steps -- bullpens, live batting practice and brief rehab assignment -- before rejoining the Reds.

Sands will serve as the Twins' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Since Bailey Ober (hip) joined Zebby Matthews (shoulder) and Pablo Lopez (shoulder) on the injured list earlier this month, the Twins have yet to settle on a new No. 5 starter. For the second straight turn through Ober's spot in the rotation, the Twins are opting for a bullpen day that will be led off by Sands, who previously tossed a scoreless frame in his most recent start last Saturday versus the Rays. Travis Adams pitched four innings in long relief in that contest and will likely be tasked with covering multiple frames once again Saturday after Sands exits the contest.

The Cubs optioned Wicks to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

After getting blown up for six runs on 10 hits and a walk over three innings during Friday's game, Wicks will head back to the minors in order to get back on track. Brooks Kriske will come up from Iowa to replace Wicks in Chicago's bullpen.