MLB Player News

Kopech (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kopech began the season on the injured list due to forearm inflammation, but a right shoulder impingement has extended his absence by a couple of months. It's unclear how long the Dodgers plan on keeping the 29-year-old in the minors, but once active, Kopech should play an important role in a Dodgers bullpen that's been decimated by injuries this year.

The Cubs are expected to call up Horton from Triple-A Iowa for this weekend's series against the Mets, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register reports.

The Cubs need a starter to fill in for the injured Shota Imanaga (hamstring), and signs were pointing to Horton after Chris Flexen was used in relief Tuesday and Wednesday. Horton is likely to make his major-league debut with a start Saturday, although the team has not yet confirmed it. A first-round pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Horton was limited to only nine starts in 2024 due to shoulder problems, but in 2025 he's posted a 1.24 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB over 29 innings covering six starts with Iowa. He could make additional starts after Saturday if he pitches well.

The Rockies recalled Gordon from Triple-A Albuquerque ahead of his scheduled start in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Tigers at Coors Field.

Gordon is being designated as the Rockies' 27th man for the twin bill, so he's expected to be returned to Albuquerque immediately after the second game of the day. Over his six starts with Albuquerque this season, Gordon has turned in a 4.82 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 28 innings.

Lowder (forearm) will make his next rehab start Sunday for High-A Dayton, MLB.com reports.

Lowder had his first rehab outing Tuesday, when he logged three innings for the Reds' affiliate in the Arizona Complex League. He checked out okay a day later and will move on to more advanced competition.

Dollander allowed six runs on five hits and three walks without notching any strikeouts over three-plus innings in a no-decision against Detroit on Wednesday.

Dollander yielded just one extra-base hit, but he hurt himself by issuing three free passes, as all three recipients came around to score. The right-hander actually looked good to start the game by retiring the first six batters he faced, but he yielded three runs on four hits in the third and then allowed all four of the batters he faced to reach in the fourth before getting the hook. Dollander has certainly experienced growing pains as a rookie this season -- he's allowed four or more runs in four of his six starts and has a 7.71 ERA through 28 innings. He'll look to make a more positive impact in his next start, which lines up to come against the Rangers next week.

Walker picked up the save in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Rays after allowing one hit and no walks in three scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

It was the first career save for the veteran right-hander, who shut down the Rays on Wednesday with a season-high seven strikeouts. It also marked Walker's first appearance since shifting back to the bullpen following the recent return of Ranger Suarez. Walker will likely continue to fill a bulk-relief role while Philadelphia's rotation is healthy, and he's bouncing back from a dreadful 2024 campaign with a 2.30 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB over 31.1 innings so far this year.

Cease exited his start Wednesday against the Yankees early due to cramping in his right forearm, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Cease said after the game that he had been lobbying to stay in, but the Padres pulled him out of an abundance of caution. The 29-year-old righty added that he passed all the postgame tests administered by the team's training staff and should be good to go for his next start, which lines up for a meeting against the Angels at home.

Strider (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Wednesday's session was the first time Strider had done any sort of mound work since he landed on the injured list in late April due to a right hamstring strain. The 26-year-old righty said he felt good afterward, but the team is going to wait to see how he feels Thursday before determining the next steps in his rehab program.

Holmes (2-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Reds after allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk in 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

After setting a career high with nine punchouts in his last start, Holmes wasn't nearly as effective Wednesday. Although his one walk marked a season low among his seven starts, the right-hander surrendered a season-high seven hits and gave up greater than three runs for the third time this year. Holmes has also conceded six home runs over his past three outings. He'll take a pedestrian 4.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 40:20 K:BB across 39.1 innings in 2025 into his next scheduled start, currently set to come versus the Nationals next week.

Sanchez (4-1) grabbed the win Wednesday against the Rays after allowing one hit and three walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Sanchez was brilliant, yielding just a Junior Caminero single in the first inning and then keeping the Rays out of the hit column for the rest of his outing. Although he generated a middling eight whiffs and tied a season high with three walks, the left-hander kept Tampa Bay guessing by inducing a whopping 11 groundouts to only one flyout. Sanchez hasn't given up a home run in any of his last three starts after serving up four in his first four outings of the year. He'll bring a strong 2.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 44:14 K:BB over 37.1 innings into his next scheduled appearance versus the Cardinals, which lines up for next week.