King (shoulder) isn't yet throwing off a mound, but he's pain-free and has been able to increase the intensity and distance of his throws, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

King has been out since mid-May due to a pinched thoracic nerve in his right shoulder, and he was initially unable to throw a baseball at all. The fact that he's now playing catch suggests considerable progress, though a timeframe for his return to game action probably won't be established until King is able to throw off a mound again. Manager Mike Shildt said that the Padres are "as optimistic as [they've] been" about King's status but also indicated that the team is guarding the optimism," so it appears the right-handed hurler still has several boxes to check before he's ready for a potential rehab assignment.

Bergert (forearm) is expected to throw 50-to-60 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Bergert was hit by a comebacker during a game June 24 and was subsequently placed on the IL with a bruised forearm. X-rays came back negative, and the right-hander was able to throw a bullpen session July 4, so he appears to have escaped a serious injury. If Bergert's outing with El Paso goes well, he could be activated when first eligible July 10 or shortly thereafter.

Black threw four relief innings in Friday's 11-2 loss to the Athletics, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits -- including two home runs -- while striking out five.

Black made his season debut after being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday. The right-hander entered the game in the fourth and allowed just one hit through his first two innings. However, things unraveled for the 25-year-old in the next two frames, as the Athletics extended their lead to 11-0 by the end of the seventh. Before joining the big-league club, Black made 14 starts in 15 appearances for Sacramento, posting a 4.75 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 70:42 K:BB across 72 innings.

Greene (groin/back) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Greene felt good coming out of a 20-pitch simulated game Wednesday, and after completing a bullpen session Saturday without issue, the right-hander will get the green light to pitch in a minor-league game. If all goes well Tuesday, the 25-year-old could be activated from the 15-day injured list to start the Reds' final game before the All-Star break July 13 versus the Rockies. Otherwise, he'll likely aim to return shortly after the second half of the season begins.

Senzatela (3-12) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.2 innings as the Rockies fell 3-2 to the White Sox. He struck out four.

The veteran righty fell just short of his second quality start of the season, getting the hook after he served up what proved to be a game-winning solo homer by Edgar Quero, then plunking Michael Taylor (neck) with a pitch. Senzatela's dozen losses are the most in the majors, and he hasn't given the Rockies at least six innings in a start since May 20, stumbling to a 6.87 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 21:18 K:BB through 36.2 innings over his last eight trips to the mound. He'll try to right the ship in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Cincinnati.

Strider (3-7) took the loss Friday as Atlanta was downed 3-2 by the Orioles, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander delivered his fifth quality start in his last six trips to the mound, but homers by Jordan Westburg in the third inning and Cedric Mullins in the fifth -- as well as a lack of run support -- stuck Strider with the loss. Over that six-outing stretch, he's posted a 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44:13 K:BB in 36 innings as he inches closer to his pre-injury form. Strider will try to keep the ball in the yard in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week against the A's.

Alcantara didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Brewers, coughing up five runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.

Milwaukee took full advantage of its opportunities against the right-hander, and a balk and a hit batter by Alcantara contributed to that offensive efficiency. It was still the third straight start, and fifth time in six outings, that the right-hander has given the Marlins six innings as he rehabilitates his trade value, but a 4.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB through 35 innings over that stretch are a long way from his NL Cy Young form of 2022. Alcantara will look for a better result in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Cincinnati.

Priester came away with a no-decision in Friday's 6-5 win over the Marlins, giving up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Homers by Connor Norby in the fourth inning and Otto Lopez in the fifth accounted for most of the damage off Priester, who got the hook after 83 pitches (52 strikes). The right-hander has failed to last five innings in two of his last three outings, serving up multiple long balls in each, but he hasn't been saddled with a loss since May 13 -- a stretch of nine starts in which he's posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 42:9 K:BB in 49.1 innings while going 5-0. Priester will look for his sixth straight winning decision in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Nationals.

Verlander (0-6) allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over three innings to take the loss Friday versus the Athletics.

Verlander threw 45 of 60 pitches for strikes, but they were a little too hittable. The Athletics put together a four-run rally in the second inning and ultimately handed Verlander his ugliest start of the season. The 42-year-old's ERA is up to 4.84 with a 1.44 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB over 70.2 innings over 14 starts as he continues to search for his first win of the year. He's projected to make his next start at home in a tough matchup versus the Phillies.

Rodriguez (3-5) allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over 4.1 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Royals.

Rodriguez got off to a sour start, allowing three runs in each of the first two innings. He gave up a total of three home runs, including two to Vinnie Pasquantino. Rodriguez had a strong June, pitching to a 1.98 ERA despite a 1.32 WHIP over 27.1 innings, but the nine runs allowed Friday were a season high for the southpaw. He's now at a 5.78 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 87:27 K:BB across 76.1 innings through 15 starts. He'll try to get back on track next week in a start tentatively projected to be on the road versus the Padres.