MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Sale (shoulder) will likely be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Tigers at Fenway Park, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Sale built up to just 53 pitches over his two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester, but the Red Sox won't have the veteran southpaw waste any more bullets in the minors after he was electric in his most recent outing Sunday, when he struck out seven and walked none over 4.1 scoreless frames. Since he's not yet fully stretched out for a traditional starting role, Sale could be capped at around 70-to-80 pitches Friday and may be deployed in tandem with another pitcher, but he could still have a long enough leash to hit the five innings he needs to qualify for a win. Sale's upcoming start will be his first with the Red Sox since June 1 after a two-plus-month recovery from a stress reaction in his left scupla.

McKenzie (elbow) hasn't experienced any setbacks since he resumed playing catch July 28, MLB.com reports.

According to the report, McKenzie was able to play catch on five consecutive days without issue, a good sign as he continues his recovery from a right UCL sprain. He remains hopeful to pitch again for the big club in 2023, but until he reaches the point in his rehab where he's facing live hitters, the Guardians likely won't offer up a concrete target date for his return from the 60-day injured list. Based on where he currently stands in his rehab program, McKenzie is likely at least a month away from rejoining the Cleveland rotation in a best-case scenario.

Bieber (elbow) was cleared to begin a throwing program Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Bieber has reportedly been pain-free after picking up the ball for the first time since the All-Star break, but he's likely been limited to playing light catch thus far. The right-hander will gradually increase the distance of his long-toss throwing before graduating to bullpen sessions and then facing live hitters. Considering he still has multiple hurdles to clear in his recovery from right elbow inflammation and was placed on the 60-day injured list, Bieber won't be ready to rejoin the Guardians until around the middle of September in a best-case scenario.

France (8-3) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 9-7 win over the Yankees after giving up one unearned run on three hits and three walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings out of the bullpen.

After serving as a starter in his first 15 appearances with Houston, France moved to the bullpen Sunday to clear a spot in the rotation for right-hander Jose Urquidy, who was activated from the 60-day injured list to make his first start since April 30. Urquidy was on a limited pitch count and labored through 3.1 innings before being pulled from the contest, paving the way for France to effectively piggyback him. France was able to come away with his fourth consecutive win and his sixth win in seven outings while lowering his ERA to 2.75 in the process. The rookie right-hander isn't expected to be in line for a permanent stay in the bullpen, but manager Dusty Baker has yet to reveal when France may make his next start.

Ragans is scheduled to start Monday's series opener against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Kansas City ranks 27th in the majors this season with a 5.19 ERA from its starting pitchers, so Ragans will unsurprisingly stick around in the rotation after he submitted a gem of an outing his last time out Wednesday against the Mets. In that start -- his second of the season after he tossed five innings of one-run ball against the Rays on July 15 -- Ragans struck out eight over six shutout frames and scattered seven hits and one walk. He'll tentatively line up for two starts this week, with his second turn likely to come Saturday versus the Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium.

Quantrill (shoulder) faced hitters in a simulated game at Double-A Akron on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Quantrill returned to Cleveland following the live session, and assuming team doctors are satisfied with the condition on his shoulder, he could report back to Akron or another affiliate during the upcoming week for a rehab assignment. On the shelf since July 6 with the inflamed right shoulder, Quantrill may require more than one rehab outing to get fully stretched out before the Guardians add him back to their rotation.

Wentz is slated to start Monday's game against the Twins at Comerica Park, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The young lefty will get at least one more turn through the rotation after he shined in a bulk-relief role his last time out July 29 in what was his first appearance in the big leagues in a month. In that appearance against the Marlins, Wentz struck out six over 4.2 scoreless innings while allowing four hits and one walk. The Tigers seem content to have Wentz pitch as a traditional starter Monday rather than out of the bullpen, an arrangement that could raise his innings floor but may work against him in qualifying for a win.

Perez allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning of relief in Sunday's 6-0 win over Miami.

This was Perez's first turn out of the bullpen after he was removed from the starting rotation, as the Rangers created room for starters acquired at the trade deadline. He mopped up in the ninth inning, but the stretched-out Perez could work as a long reliever when a starter is unable give the team length.

Medina allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and five walks over 3.1 innings in Sunday's win over the Giants. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

Medina never found a groove Sunday as he allowed a run in each of the first two frames followed by two more in the third inning. He gave up just three total earned runs in his previous three starts and turned in his shortest outing since June 3. Medina has a solid 3.55 ERA since the start of July but his season mark jumped to 5.47. His next outing is lined up to be in Washington.

Miller yielded one run on five hits over five innings in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Angels. He struck out 10 and didn't factor in the decision.

Miller allowed a run in the first inning but retired 14 of the last 16 batters he faced. He reached double-digit strikeouts for the first time since his MLB debut May 2 and forced a career-high 22 swinging strikes. It was a very encouraging performance after Miller had been tagged with six runs in each of his last two starts. The right-handed rookie will carry a 4.20 ERA into his next appearance, which is currently projected to be at home against the Orioles.