MLB Player News

Fried (blister) is "hopeful" that he'll be able to start in Toronto next week, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Fried has been playing catch since the blister first popped up in Saturday's start against the Cubs, and the team has not made an injured list move, but he has not done more than play catch. The lefty's status will likely be updated in a day or two if he is able to throw a side session, but as things stand, he should be considered questionable to make a start next week. Given that Carlos Rodon and Cam Schlittler could start the games Monday and Tuesday on plenty of rest, it would seem most likely for Fried to return in the final game of the series in Toronto on Wednesday.

Francis (shoulder) experienced shoulder discomfort while rehabbing and will be shut down for at least 10 days, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Francis has been on the shelf since June 17 with a right shoulder impingement, though he began throwing off a mound July 8. He suffered a setback while building back up at the Blue Jays' player development complex and won't throw for at least a week and a half. The hitch in his recovery likely means he won't be back until mid-August at the earliest.

Eflin (back) will continue his rehab assignment with the Orioles' rookie-level Florida League Complex squad this week, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

After tossing four innings and 58 pitches in a rehab start with Double-A Chesapake this past Sunday, Eflin will head to Florida for his second minor-league outing and will look to increase his workload. If all goes smoothly in his upcoming outing in the FCL, Eflin should be ready to return from the 15-day injured list next week to make his first start for the Orioles since June 28. His eventual return will likely bump Brandon Young out of the rotation.

MLB has extended Ortiz's non-disciplinary paid leave until Aug. 31, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Ortiz has been under investigation for a possible gambling-related offense since July 3, and he'll remain on leave as MLB continues its probe. Cleveland has filled Ortiz's vacated spot in the rotation with Joey Cantillo, and Shane Bieber (elbow) could be a few weeks away from his 2025 debut as well. Ortiz logged a 4.36 ERA over 88.2 innings before being placed on leave.

Fried (finger) isn't listed as one of the Yankees' scheduled starting pitchers in Atlanta this weekend, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Reliever Ian Hamilton is starting Friday for the Yankees, with Will Warren and Marcus Stroman set to take the ball Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Fried exited his final start before the All-Star break last Saturday due to a blister on his left index finger, and it appears the organization wants to give him some extra rest before making his first start of the second half. It's unclear when exactly the left-hander will next take the mound, but he lines up to pitch in Toronto early next week, assuming the blister doesn't cause further issues.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that Gray (forearm) will make another rehab start at Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Saturday is expected to be Gray's final outing in the minors before returning from the injured list next week. The 33-year-old has made two appearances since starting up his rehab assignment, giving up two earned runs while striking out three batters over five frames. Because he has yet to last longer than three innings, he'll likely operate under a pitch count during his first few outings back with the Rangers. Otherwise, the team could use him as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

Ober (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ober landed on the 15-day injured list at the beginning of July with a left hip impingement. He was never shut down from throwing while on the IL, so the big right-hander might require just the one rehab start before potentially rejoining the Twins' rotation next week. Ober holds a disappointing 5.28 ERA in 17 starts for the Twins this season.

Melton, who earned a promotion to Triple-A Toledo in June, could be an option for the Tigers' bullpen down the stretch, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Melton has enjoyed success this season, posting a 3.23 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 10 starts for Double-A Erie, then lowering those figures to 3.06 and 1.12, respectively, through seven appearances (six starts) for Toledo. The 24-year-old righty has shown swing-and-miss stuff as well, recording 93 strikeouts in 71.1 innings across both levels. Detroit may not have a spot for Melton in the rotation this year, though he could be an effective bullpen weapon for the Tigers down the stretch as they make their postseason push, similar to what the team did with Jackson Jobe in 2024. For that to be an option, however, Melton would have to be added to the 40-man roster.

Schmidt shared on a personal social media account that the Tommy John surgery he underwent July 11 was successful, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Schmidt stated in his post that he plans to "focus on healing" as he works to return to competition. The righty hurler was in the midst of a standout campaign before getting hurt, posting a 3.32 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 73:30 K:BB over 78.2 innings spanning 14 games. Though Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he was unsure if Schmidt got the internal brace version of the surgery, per Phillips, the current expectation is that Schmidt probably won't be ready to pitch in a big-league contest again until the 2027 campaign.

Bieber (elbow) struck out five and allowed one hit and one walk over two scoreless innings Tuesday in a rehab start with the Guardians' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

Bieber took the mound for his first rehab start since May 31, when he made a 2.1-inning appearance in the ACL before being pulled off his assignment when he experienced soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow. The setback was always viewed as a minor one, and Bieber's excellent showing Tuesday in his return to the hill seemingly alleviates any concern the Guardians might have about his elbow moving forward. Bieber will likely need to complete at least three more rehab starts in the minors before the Guardians clear him to return from the 60-day injured list, perhaps at some point in early or mid-August.