MLB Player News

The Mets are optimistic that deGrom (elbow) will be ready to make his return from the 60-day injured list by the second half of September after the MRI he underwent Wednesday revealed nothing concerning, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The club's optimism about deGrom's health was seemingly verified by the 33-year-old getting on the field Wednesday to play catch in what marked his first throwing activity since late July. The Mets likely won't pinpoint a more concrete target date for deGrom's return until he advances to facing hitters in his rehab, but before that happens, he'll need to extend his throwing distance off flat ground and complete multiple bullpen sessions. Fantasy managers will have to weigh whether stashing deGrom on the bench or in an injured reserve slot is worthwhile for what will likely be 2-to-3 high-impact starts -- at most -- for the remainder of the season.

Cueto (elbow) was activated from the 10-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Mets, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Cueto missed about two weeks with a right flexor strain and will rejoin the rotation Wednesday in New York, as expected. The 35-year-old shouldn't face any significant limitations in his return given the brevity of his absence.

Cabrera was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville ahead of Wednesday's start against the Nationals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Cabrera was promoted to Triple-A Jacksonville in mid-July and will make his major-league debut at LoanDepot Park on Wednesday. The right-hander logged a 3.68 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 48:19 K:BB in 29.1 innings across six starts with the Triple-A club. Bryan Mitchell was designated for assignment to make room for Cabrera.

Kelly (illness) rejoined the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, but he remains on the COVID-19 injured list and is expected to require a "somewhat lengthy" build-up process, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

After testing positive for the coronavirus Aug. 14, Kelly completed a 10-day quarantine and is no longer exhibiting symptoms. However, because of the layoff, Kelly will likely need to complete multiple bullpen sessions and/or simulated games before the Diamondbacks feel comfortable activating him. Unless the Diamondbacks indicate otherwise, don't expect Kelly to rejoin the big-league rotation until next week at the soonest.

The Pirates placed Brubaker on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right thumb contusion, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Pittsburgh reinstated Bryse Wilson (arm) from the IL in a corresponding move, and he'll immediately join the rotation as a replacement for Brubaker to start Wednesday's series finale versus Arizona. Brubaker's injury isn't believed to be serious and shouldn't keep him out much longer that the minimum amount of time. The right-hander could probably benefit from a brief hiatus, given that he's posted a 7.88 ERA and 1.62 WHIP while allowing 10 home runs in 32.2 innings over his seven starts since the All-Star break.

DeGrom (elbow) played catch off flat ground Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

DeGrom was expected to remain idle for at least a few more days after he was sent in for an MRI earlier Wednesday, and although the results of his tests aren't yet known, he apparently received positive enough news to start throwing again for the first time since late July. While deGrom's activity Wednesday represents a step in the right direction, the two-time Cy Young winner still has several hurdles to clear in the recovery process from the right elbow injury before a target date for his return is established. Since the Mets moved deGrom to the 60-day injured list Friday, he won't be eligible to return to action until Sept. 13 at the earliest.

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Kim could be a candidate to start Sunday's game in Pittsburgh after Jack Flaherty (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

After Miles Mikolas (forearm) recently beat him back from the IL to fill the final opening in the rotation, Kim shifted to the bullpen upon being cleared to return from his bout with left elbow inflammation over the weekend. When Flaherty's strained shoulder forced him to exit Tuesday's loss to the Tigers after two innings, Kim was one of several relievers the Cardinals called upon to finish out the contest. Since he covered 2.2 innings and tossed 45 pitches in that outing, Kim should be reasonably stretched out if the Cardinals elect to give him the ball Sunday.

Urias (calf) (14-3) earned the win Tuesday against the Padres after tossing five scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while fanning four.

Urias was activated from the injured list just before Tuesday's outing and he delivered another strong showing, as he's now allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last six starts. The left-hander is having a career-best season but has been particularly effective following the All-Star break, posting a 1.88 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP across 38.1 innings in that span.

Marquez will start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Marquez was initially slated to start Tuesday's game against Chicago before the contest was postponed due to inclement weather. Austin Gomber will take the mound in Wednesday's matinee before Marquez starts the second game.

Burnes didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Reds after allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks across six innings, striking out five.

Burnes has been excellent during most of the season, and while he didn't have his best stuff in this one, it's worth noting this is just the second time he allows more than three earned runs since June 25, a span of 10 outings and 64.1 innings. The right-hander owns a 2.18 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a 52:11 K:BB through 45.1 innings since the All-Star break.