MLB Player News

Sale (ribs) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday before progressing to live batting practice next week, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The veteran left-hander originally lined up for live batting practice Friday, but things were pushed back a few days due to a stomach bug. Sale has been slowly ramping up his bullpen sessions over the past couple weeks, and advancing to face live hitters will represent a significant step in his rehab program.

Cortes (5-2) got the loss Wednesday after he pitched 4.1 innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits while striking out three against the Twins.

The Twins got to Cortes for two runs in the bottom of the fourth frame before launching two solo homers in the next inning. The four runs given up were his highest total of the season while the loss snaps a four-start win streak for the 27-year-old. Cortes still owns an incredible 1.96 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 71 strikeouts over 64.1 innings in 11 outings this season. He'll look to rebound in his next start, which tentatively lines up for him to take on the Rays on Tuesday.

Faedo allowed one run on three hits across five innings but did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Pirates. He walked one and struck out seven.

Faedo allowed a solo home run to Jack Suwinski in the fourth inning but was otherwise lights out Wednesday. It continued a great start to his MLB career, as the righty now has a 2.92 ERA across his first seven starts. He's gone at least five innings and allowed two runs or fewer in all of those appearances. Faedo has quickly entrenched himself in the Detroit rotation, and he'll look to keep rolling in his next scheduled start Monday against the White Sox.

Lyles won't start as scheduled Wednesday versus the Cubs since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Wednesday's contest was delayed by rain for nearly two hours before the game was postponed, and it will be made up in mid-August. The Orioles have yet to officially announce their updated pitching plans, but Lyles figures to start Thursday in Kansas City with the rest of the rotation pushed back a day.

Suarez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

The left-hander was called up to start Tuesday and took a no-decision after giving up three runs over five innings, and he'll quickly head back to the minors. Suarez should rejoin the starting rotation for Salt Lake, though he could be in the mix to rejoin the Angels for a doubleheader June 18.

Watkins (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander threw several bullpen sessions over the last few weeks and will return from the injured list after spending just over the minimum of 15 days on the shelf. However, Dean Kremer has been named Baltimore's fifth starter, so Watkins will join the rotation in Norfolk for now. Watkins should be one of the top candidates for a call-up if the Orioles need an additional starter.

Ryan (illness) will report to Triple-A St. Paul for a rehab start Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 26-year-old has been on the COVID-19 injured list the past two weeks, and he'll require a start in the minors before rejoining the big-league rotation. Ryan could be back with the Twins sometime next week if all goes well during Thursday's start with St. Paul.

Maeda (elbow) said Wednesday that he hopes to resume mound work in 2-to-3 weeks, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Maeda is currently with the Twins and has been throwing off flat ground for over a month. While the right-hander now has a timetable to resume mound work, he said Wednesday he isn't yet sure whether he'll return from the injured list prior to the end of the season.

Civale (glute) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Civale sustained a glute injury in late May and required blood treatment, but he threw a side session Monday and will take another step in his recovery process by beginning a rehab assignment Thursday. The right-hander will throw three innings in Columbus during his first rehab start, and it's not yet clear whether he'll require multiple minor-league appearances prior to rejoining the Guardians.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Baz (elbow) is on track to come off the 60-day injured list to start Saturday's game in Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

As anticipated, Baz will be ready to make his season debut this weekend after he recently wrapped up a four-start rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham. In his most recent outing Sunday, Baz struck out 10 over 4.1 innings while building up to 79 pitches, so he shouldn't face any significant restrictions with his workload in his first start with the Rays. In his first taste of the big leagues late last season, Baz produced a 2.03 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB across 13.1 innings over his three starts.