MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Senga (hamstring) will aim to throw around 60 pitches in his rehab start Saturday for Double-A Binghamton, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

If all goes well, Senga could return from the 15-day injured list and rejoin the big-league rotation next weekend in Kansas City. He would seemingly be in line to take the hill July 11 or July 12 on five or six days' rest, as normal rest would have the right-hander taking the mound July 10 in Baltimore. Senga had a 2.15 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB in 29.1 innings over the five starts prior to straining his right hamstring June 12.

Blackburn (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing until early next week, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran right-hander landed on the injured list Thursday due to a shoulder impingement, but the Mets don't seem concerned about the severity of the issue. Blackburn could be ready to rejoin the roster in late July, but he may not have a rotation spot waiting for him if Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow/oblique) beat him back from the IL.

Perez (1-2) picked up the win Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings in a 4-1 victory over the Twins. He struck out seven.

The 22-year-old right-hander didn't make his 2025 debut until June 9 as he completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and while he had a bumpy beginning to his season, Perez appeared to turn a corner Thursday. He tossed 51 of 80 pitches for strikes, including a massive 20 swinging strikes, and he topped out at 99.5 mph with his fastball. It was Perez's first MLB win since June 25, 2023, and he'll look to build on this success in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Cincinnati.

The Cubs placed Taillon on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right calf strain, and manager Craig Counsell said the right-hander is expected to be sidelined over a month, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It's unclear when exactly Taillon sustained the injury, but he surrendered 15 runs, including six homers, over his last three starts and failed to last five innings in any of them. The 33-year-old will be unavailable through at least the end of July but could be out longer, depending how his rehab progresses. Jordan Wicks was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move and should be in the mix to enter Chicago's starting rotation, as is Chris Flexen.

The Phillies optioned Abel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Abel surrendered five runs over 1.2 frames during the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres and posted a 6.63 ERA over 19 innings since entering Philadelphia's rotation in early June. The Phillies could fill their open rotation spot with a bullpen game next week.

The Nationals placed Williams (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right elbow sprain.

It's unclear when the injury first surfaced for the right-hander, but he surrendered a season-high seven runs during his start against the Tigers on Wednesday. Williams will be eligible to return right after the All-Star break, though a longer absence wouldn't be surprising given the nature of the injury.

Horton didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Guardians, giving up five hits and two walks in seven scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Thursday marked the longest outing of the season for the rookie right-hander, who scattered five singles en route to his second scoreless start of the year. It was also a resounding bounce-back showing after Horton yielded a season-high seven runs his last time out. Horton will bring a 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB over 52 innings into his next scheduled start against the struggling Twins, who are batting just .217 across their last 20 games.

Elder (2-6) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Angels, giving up four runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out five.

Elder's rough stretch dragged on, as he allowed at least four runs and seven hits in his fourth straight outing. His ERA once stood at a palatable 4.08 for the season following a brilliant 12-strikeout performance June 7, but that figure has since ballooned to 5.92. The right-hander has a disastrous 12.64 ERA, 2.81 WHIP and 13:11 K:BB over his last four appearances (15.2 frames), so he doesn't shape up as a particularly appealing fantasy option against the Athletics at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park his next time out.

May (5-5) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out nine over seven-plus innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Thursday.

May retired the first 16 batters he faced in this dominant outing, which also saw him pitch into the eighth inning for the first time this year. That's when he started to fade, allowing a two-run home run to Brooks Baldwin that ended the outing. May was mediocre in June, posting a 5.67 ERA across 27 innings over his five starts, but July is off to a better start for him after he took advantage of an easy matchup. The right-hander is now at a 4.52 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 84:36 K:BB over 89.2 innings through 16 starts. His next outing is expected to be on the road versus the Brewers.

Pfaadt (8-6) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings to take the loss versus the Giants on Thursday.

Pfaadt had trouble against the top of the Giants' lineup, which was able to generate two runs in each of the first and third innings. This was Pfaadt's longest start since May 19 against the Dodgers, and it also saw him rack up a season high in strikeouts, but he was outmatched by a complete-game performance from San Francisco starter Robbie Ray. Pfaadt is now at a 5.42 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 80:23 K:BB across 91.1 innings over 18 outings. He's lined up to make his next start on the road in San Diego.