MLB Player News

The Royals reinstated Bubic (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Bubic has been on the injured list all season while working his way back from the Tommy John procedure he underwent last April. In nine rehab appearances with Triple-A Omaha, the 26-year-old lefty posted a 2.63 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 27.1 innings. He'll transition to the bullpen as he returns to Kansas City and will likely serve in a multi-inning relief role. Walter Pennington was optioned to Omaha in order to make room on the active roster, and Colin Selby was DFA'd to clear a 40-man spot.

The Mariners recalled Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma to start Saturday's game against Toronto.

Hancock last pitched for the Mariners on June 13, and he has since thrown 9.1 scoreless innings over two starts in Triple-A. He'll be called upon to get the M's through Saturday's contest, though his time in Seattle's rotation may only last one start with Bryan Woo (hamstring) nearing a return from the IL. Seby Zavala was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Poteet (triceps) has resumed his throwing program but has not yet progressed to throwing off a mound, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Poteet landed on the IL on June 18 due to a right triceps strain. It's an encouraging sign that the 29-year-old righty has gotten back to throwing, though he will likely remain without a clear return timeline until he's able to throw a few bullpen sessions. The return of Gerrit Cole also means there's no guarantee Poteet remains in the majors upon being activated.

Stripling (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday and then head out to Single-A Stockton to start a rehab assignment Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Saturday's bullpen session is the final benchmark for Stripling to clear before a return to game action for the first time since May 24. Stripling is expected to start Stockton's game Tuesday and projected to throw up to 35 pitches. If the outing goes well, he'll be bumped up to Triple-A Las Vegas for his next rehab start or appearance Sunday, July 14.

Blackburn (foot) will throw a bullpen session Saturday and then report to Single-A Stockton to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander is finally on the cusp of a long-awaited return to game action, provided Saturday's bullpen session goes well. Blackburn is slated to follow fellow rehabbing starter Ross Stripling (elbow) out of the bullpen in Stockton's game Tuesday and is projected to throw up to 35 pitches. If the outing goes well, Blackburn will then be slated to bump his rehab assignment up to Triple-A Las Vegas for a likely start or appearance Sunday, July 14.

Thorpe (3-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 6.1 innings in a 3-2 victory over the Marlins. He struck out five.

In his longest outing since getting called up to the majors, Thorpe tossed 51 of 90 pitches for strikes as he delivered his third straight quality start and third straight win. The rookie right-hander hasn't exactly faced the toughest competition over his win streak, however, as he beat Miami, Detroit and Colorado away from Coors Field. Thorpe will take a 3.71 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB through 26.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Pirates.

Cortes came away with a no-decision in Friday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out eight.

The southpaw was at his baffling best, tossing 68 of 97 pitches for strikes and leaving the mound in line for his fifth win of the season. A blown save by Clay Holmes forced Cortes to settle for his ninth quality start, and he'll take a 3.41 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 106:20 K:BB through 111 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Tampa Bay.

Houck came away with a no-decision in Friday's 5-3 extra-inning win over the Yankees, giving up three runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.

The right-hander was looking sharp early, but a 38-minute rain delay in the middle of the third inning caused Houck to lose his focus, and he fell apart completely in the fourth. He's winless in his last four starts, stumbling to a 5.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB through 20 innings over that stretch, but he figures to bounce back in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against Oakland.

Olson (3-8) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over 5.2 innings to earn the win Friday against the Reds. He walked two and struck out eight.

While Reese's record isn't great, he's actually pitched quite well this season with a 3.22 ERA. The righty has been even better lately, posting a 1.88 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 24 innings in his last four starts. Olson was solid as a rookie last year, posting a 3.99 ERA over 21 games (18 starts), so it looks like he firmly belongs at this level. He'll look to keep up his strong recent play in his next scheduled start, which is penciled in for Wednesday against the Guardians.

Gausman (6-8) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 10 over six innings to take the loss Friday versus the Mariners.

Gausman allowed a two-run double to Luke Raley in the third inning, and that was enough to stick him with his fourth loss in five outings. This was his third 10-strikeout game of the year, as well as his third quality start over his last seven games. He's at a 4.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 101:27 K:BB through 97 innings over 18 starts overall. Gausman's next start is projected to be on the road in San Francisco.