MLB Player News

German (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

German was shut down for approximately one week after landing on the injured list Aug. 1 with right shoulder inflammation. Manager Aaron Boone announced Monday that the right-hander was close to throwing again, and it sounds like he'll throw off a mound Thursday. It's not clear how many pitches German will deliver during the session, but if all goes well, it's possible he rejoins the rotation without requiring a rehab outing.

Manager Aaron Boone said Montgomery (COVID-19) could rejoin the Yankees this weekend to throw a bullpen session, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery was placed on the injured list Aug. 3 after testing positive for COVID-19, but he's nearing his return to the active roster. If he's able to throw this weekend with no issues, the left-hander could rejoin the rotation next week.

Manager Aaron Boone said Cole (COVID-19) could rejoin the Yankees this weekend to throw a bullpen session, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Cole was placed on the injured list Aug. 2 after testing positive for COVID-19, but he's closing in on his return to the Yankees. The 30-year-old could rejoin the rotation next week if he throws this weekend with no issues.

Rasmussen will open Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

With Ryan Yarbrough (undisclosed) landing on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Josh Fleming's outing is expected to be moved up to Wednesday. That leaves Rasmussen to take the ball for Thursday's series finale. The right-hander hasn't pitched more than three innings this season, though he's worked multiple frames in each of his last seven outings. With that in mind, the Rays will likely try to get him through the third inning Thursday, but the 26-year-old is almost certain to fall short of qualifying for the win.

Wells (wrist) threw live batting practice Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wells was hoping to be activated as early as last week, but soreness in his injured right wrist postponed his return. If he comes out of Tuesday's live session feeling good, it's possible he could be reinstated by the end of the week, though the club has not confirmed the right-hander's next steps.

Urquidy (shoulder) will go to West Palm Beach on Wednesday to begin his rehab assignment, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Dusty Baker expressed hope that Urquidy would be back with the Astros on Sept. 1. The righty has been on the IL with a right shoulder injury since June 30. To date he has posted a 3.38 ERA and 66:13 K:BB in 77.1 innings. Once healthy, Urquidy figures to rejoin Houston's starting rotation.

Boyd (triceps) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Boyd has been out for nearly two months with triceps tendinitis. Given the length of his absence, he'll presumably require multiple rehab appearances before he returns from the injured list. If he makes three rehab starts, he could return sometime in late August, though the Tigers have yet to specify exactly when they expect him back.

Canning (back) will miss the remainder of the 2021 season with a stress fracture in his lower back.

Canning landed on the minor-league injured list July 15. It's unclear whether he'll be ready for the start of spring training in 2022. Before being sent down in early July, the righty went 5-4 while posting a 5.60 ERA and 62:28 K:BB in 62.2 innings of work. Canning will almost certainly be placed on the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man roster spot in his absence.

Taillon pitched six innings against Kansas City on Monday, allowing an unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out four. He did not factor in the decision.

The right-hander was sharp in what turned into an 11-inning affair, throwing 55 of 87 pitches for strikes and keeping Kansas City off the scoreboard through six frames. Taillon was pulled after allowing a single to lead off the seventh, and the Royals managed to get the runner home against Jonathan Loaisiga without collecting another hit in the frame. Taillon's strong effort continued a run of seven straight starts since the beginning of July in which he has allowed two or fewer earned runs. Over that stretch, he has registered a 1.25 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 39:13 K:BB across 43.1 innings. Taillon will look to keep things going in his next start, which is expected to come on the road against the White Sox this weekend.

Giolito improved to 9-8 after holding the Twins to one run over eight innings in Monday's 11-1 victory. He surrendered two hits and walked none while striking out eight in the 103-pitch outing.

Giolito had the luxury of working with plenty of run support after the White Sox jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings, but the right-hander didn't need much cushion in the dominant victory. He faced the minimum amount of batters through seven innings and looked like he might have a shot at a complete-game shutout, but a slightly turbulent eighth inning in which he yielded a solo home run to Miguel Sano prompted the White Sox to hold him out for the final frame. Through five starts since the All-Star break, Giolito has gone 2-2 with a 2.73 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 7.6 K/9.