MLB Player News

Leiter (ankle) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session with more intensity Saturday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Leiter underwent surgery one month ago to remove a loose body from his right ankle region. He resumed mound work over the All-Star break and will try throwing with more effort this weekend. If that goes well, Leiter can get the go-ahead to continue a throwing progression. The Rangers have not revealed a timeline for the righty, but he is several weeks away from a return.

Gil (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Friday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

It appears to be the first time Gil has faced hitters since he was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in early May with right shoulder inflammation. A return to game action seems imminent, but it's unlikely Gil will be an option for the Yankees anytime soon.

The Athletics recalled Morales from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

After spending over a month with the Triple-A club, Morales will make his way back to the Athletics. With Las Vegas, the 23-year-old posted a 7.18 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 57:33 K:BB in 52.2 innings this season. The A's optioned Yunior Tur to Las Vegas to make room for Morales on the active roster.

Mize (groin/wrist) is listed as the Tigers' scheduled starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Royals at Comerica Park.

Mize was forced out of his previous start Sunday in Anaheim midway through the fourth inning due to a mild aggravation of a groin injury in addition to a left wrist contusion, which he sustained after getting his with a comebacker. Per MLB.com, the right-hander wasn't troubled by either issue while going through his normal routine between starts, so he should be free of restrictions Saturday. Since allowing a season-high five earned runs in his second start of the season April 6 in Minnesota, Mize has submitted a 2.43 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 69:14 K:BB in 70.1 innings over his subsequent 13 appearances.

Melton did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five over five innings.

Melton escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning and carried a shutout into the sixth before allowing a leadoff single and a two-run homer to Isaac Collins, ending his afternoon. Despite the late damage, the right-hander continued his impressive consistency, holding opponents to two runs or fewer in nine of his 10 starts this season. Melton owns a stellar 1.95 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB across 60 innings and is lined up to make his next start at home against the Orioles.

The Athletics optioned Tur to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Tur was promoted for his major-league debut last week and was absolutely pounded across two appearances with the big club. He faced 24 batters and was able to record just eight outs while allowing 14 runs on 12 hits and four walks with three strikeouts. Manager Mark Kotsay openly wondered if Tur was tipping his pitches, according to Jason Burke of Roundtable.io. Tur will try to figure things out again with Las Vegas.

Cameron is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Beck Way in Friday's game against the Tigers, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Way will likely cover the first inning or two before Cameron takes over for what will be his first career relief appearance in the majors. Cameron allowed at least five runs in four of his last five starts, so the Royals will hope to get better results from him by deploying him out of the bullpen behind an opener.

Bieber (2-1) earned the win Thursday against the Rays, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three over a season-high seven innings.

Bieber turned in his longest outing of the season, with his lone blemish coming on a Yandy Diaz RBI single in the third inning. Outside of the third, the veteran right-hander retired 18 of the 19 batters he faced. He has now recorded a win in consecutive starts after failing to do so in his first four outings of the campaign. Through six starts since returning from the injured list, Bieber owns a 4.70 ERA with a 22:12 K:BB across 30.2 innings. He's lined up to make his next start against the Nationals.

Bradley did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Guardians, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over seven innings. He struck out five.

Bradley was excellent Thursday, with the lone blemish against him coming on a Patrick Bailey solo homer in the fifth inning. It's the fourth time that Bradley has gone seven innings while allowing two runs or fewer in his last six starts -- he's posted a 2.84 ERA in that span (38 innings). Overall, his ERA sits at 3.69 through 20 starts (114.2 innings) this season with a 1.22 WHIP and 129:46 K:BB. Bradley currently lines up to face the Royals at home his next time out.

Williams did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Twins, allowing just two hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out 11.

While Cleveland failed to provide Williams with any run support, the right-hander turned in a stellar performance Thursday, as he logged 11 strikeouts for a third straight start and fifth time overall this season. The highlight of Williams' day was his immaculate inning in the fourth, when he struck out Byron Buxton, Ryan Jeffers and Josh Bell on nine pitches. Williams lowered his ERA to 3.78 across 21 starts (126.1 innings) this year with a 1.10 WHIP and 156:37 K:BB. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, tentatively lined up to come next week in Cincinnati.