MLB Player News

DeGrom (glute) will throw a bullpen session Saturday and will likely make his next start during the Rangers' home series against the White Sox that begins Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Landry initially reported Thursday that deGrom was lined up to face Atlanta on Sunday, but it looks like the veteran right-hander needs a little bit more time to recover. He is dealing with a mild left glute strain that he picked up prior to the All-Star break, but the injury is not severe enough for him to require a stint on the injured list.

Bennett (5-3) picked up the win in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, scattering one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Tampa Bay never got a runner into scoring position against the rookie southpaw, as Bennett tossed an extremely efficient 65 pitches (42 strikes) before being lifted with Boston comfortably ahead 9-0 to begin the seventh inning. Bennett has delivered five straight quality starts dating back to June 22, a stretch in which he sports an astounding 0.82 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB over 33 innings. He'll look to stay dialed in for his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home next week against the Orioles.

Jax (5-7) took the loss in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, coughing up seven runs on eight hits and one walk over five-plus innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander didn't get any help from his offense in a 10-0 rout, but Jax's efforts to keep the game close unraveled in the sixth inning when he led off the frame by hitting Caleb Durbin with a pitch, and then watched the next three Boston batters reach base before he got the hook. Jax tossed 55 of 85 pitches for strikes in his worst outing of the season, and it's the first time since June 1 he's been tagged for more than three runs. He'll take a 4.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 77:26 K:BB through 75 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week in Toronto.

Williams and the Guardians won't face the Pirates on Friday, as the game was postponed due to poor air quality.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday, with Williams taking the mound for Game 1, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Williams went 10-4 with a 3.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 134:37 K:BB across 113.1 innings prior to the All-Star break.

Scherzer's (back) rehab assignment has been paused after he received three cortisone injections in his right thumb Monday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer was originally placed on the injured list last month due to back spasms, so he must have re-injured his thumb in his rehab start last Wednesday. The veteran right-hander has dealt with a laundry list of injuries this season, limiting him to six starts. Scherzer has posted a 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB across 22 innings when healthy enough to pitch.

Houck (elbow) has started throwing two bullpen sessions per week, MLB.com reports.

Houck has begun ramping up and hopes to pitch before the end of the regular season. It's unlikely the Red Sox will use him as a starter, so any rehab assignment would resemble that of a relief pitcher. The right-hander has been sidelined since last August, when he underwent hybrid reconstruction surgery on his right UCL.

Schmidt (elbow) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Schmidt is nearing a return from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July, and this will be his first time facing live hitters. As long as he gets through a couple BP sessions, Schmidt should then head out on a rehab assignment, giving him a chance to return to the big-league pitching staff sometime next month.

Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Fried (elbow) will make at least two rehab starts before a decision will be made on his activation from the 15-day injured list, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Fried's first rehab start is Friday, and he'll be limited to around 50 pitches. He'll then make another start next week before the Yankees determine if the left-hander is ready to return to the rotation. Fried hasn't pitched since May 13 due to a bone bruise in his left elbow. Prior to going down, Fried posted a 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB across 61.2 innings this season.

Sandoval will start Saturday's game against the Rays in Boston.

Sandoval will receive a second turn through the rotation after pitching well in his return from the 60-day injured list and in his Red Sox debut July 9, when he struck out five while allowing one earned run on five hits and one walk across 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox. The veteran southpaw may need another strong showing against the Rays to ensure he sticks in the rotation on a longer-term basis, as the Red Sox may not have a spot available for him once both Ranger Suarez (groin) and Connelly Early (elbow) return from the injured list.

Oviedo (elbow) will throw a bullpen session next week, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Oviedo has been shelved since April 3 due to a right flexor strain and remains on the 60-day injured list. He's likely still several weeks away from returning to the mound for Boston, although his rehab could be accelerated if he's ticketed for a bullpen role rather than the rotation.