MLB Player News

Schmidt (lat) is slated to throw live batting practice Tuesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Schmidt began throwing bullpen sessions in late July after a month-long shutdown from throwing, and the Yankees have officially cleared him to face live hitters again. Given the slow pace at which the 28-year-old's recovery has progressed, it's likely he'll require a few additional sessions of live BP before he embarks on a rehab assignment in the minors.

Manager Joe Espada said that Garcia won't make a minor-league rehab start Sunday as planned due to right elbow soreness, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Garcia has now had his rehab assignment paused on two occasions as he continues to work his way back from May 2023 Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old right-hander reportedly experienced the renewed soreness in his elbow Friday upon reporting to Minute Maid Park. The Astros remain optimistic that Garcia will be able to return from the 60-day injured list before the end of the season, but his latest setback will further delay his 2024 debut.

The Athletics transferred Medina (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Friday.

The move comes with Medina scheduled to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery Tuesday, and the procedure will likely keep the 25-year-old right-hander out for the 2025 campaign, too. Across his eight starts this season, Medina went 2-4 with a 5.18 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 32:20 K:BB across 40 innings. The move makes room on Oakland's 40-man roster for infielder Darell Hernaiz (ankle), who was reinstated from the 60-day IL.

The White Sox placed Thorpe on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right flexor strain.

It's not clear when Thorpe was injured, but he had surrendered a combined 14 runs over his last two starts. Given the nature of the injury, the rookie right-hander could be in store for a lengthy absence. Thorpe has posted a 5.48 ERA and 25:21 K:BB over 44.1 innings in his first nine major-league starts.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Cole (fatigue) is throwing a bullpen session Friday and if all goes well should start Sunday against the Blue Jays, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The 33-year-old was scratched from Tuesday's start against the Phillies due to general body fatigue, but he played catch with no issues Wednesday and is returning to mound work Friday. The Yankees have consistently downplayed any long-term concern for Cole this week, and he should have the chance to rejoin the rotation Sunday after skipping just one start.

Mize (hamstring) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

It will be his first time facing hitters since going on the injured list in early July with a strained left hamstring. Mize will not be eligible for activation until early September after being shifted to the 60-day IL earlier this week.

Bradford could make a spot start Saturday against the Red Sox, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers will likely turn to Bradford or Dane Dunning for the start, or they could deploy the two in a piggyback arrangement if neither is needed in relief during Friday's game. Bradford returned from a long stint on the injured list earlier this week and was roughed up for five earned runs in two innings in a relief outing Tuesday.

Dunning is an option to make a spot start Saturday versus the Red Sox, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

McFarland lists Dunning and Cody Bradford as the most logical options to make the start and the decision could hinge on whether either of them are needed in relief Friday. Whoever makes the start is likely to return to the bullpen after, as Tyler Mahle (elbow) is due to return next week. Dunning has made two relief appearances since returning from a shoulder injury last week, allowing four runs over 4.1 innings.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Verlander (neck) will throw a bullpen session in the next few days before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Espada said Verlander faced hitters for "between 27 and 30 pitches" Tuesday in Houston, with the right-hander's fastball velocity peaking around 94 miles per hour. Verlander looks poised to throw again Friday or Saturday, and if all goes well, he'll likely report to an affiliate shortly thereafter. The 41-year-old has been on the injured list since June 18 with neck stiffness, but he may need just one start in the minors before Houston is comfortable reinserting him into its rotation.

Pepiot (knee) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Pepiot has thrown a pair of bullpen sessions since landing on the injured list July 21 following a brief hospitalization due to a right knee infection, which is believed to have stemmed from a spider bite. The right-hander experienced significant swelling to his knee as a result of the infection, but he was cleared to resume throwing last week once the inflammation subsided. Pepiot is now in the process of building back up, and if Friday's side session goes well, he could be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice. Given the brevity of his stay on the IL thus far, Pepiot could get the green light to rejoin the Tampa Bay rotation as soon as next week without the need of a rehab assignment.