MLB Player News

Hicks did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits, two walks and a hit batsman against the Cubs. He struck out seven.

Hicks' outing was marred by a rough third inning in which he hit a batter, allowed two steals and gave up a homer and triple among three hits during the three-run frame. Otherwise, Hicks faced just two batters over the minimum during the other four innings, recording at least seven strikeouts for the fourth time this season. He'll carry a strong 3.36 ERA into his next start, tentatively scheduled to take place next week when the Giants travel to Atlanta for a mid-week series.

Montgomery (6-5) was saddled with the loss Thursday, allowing eight runs (four earned) on nine hits and one walk over 2.2 innings against the Twins. He struck out one.

Montgomery's line could have been a lot worse if not for a catcher's interference call and a throwing error accounting for half of the eight total runs he allowed. Among the nine hits allowed were three infield singles, no homers and two extra-base hits for Montgomery, suggesting that this performance was marred by a bit of bad luck. After struggling to 14 earned runs allowed over six innings during consecutive starts on May 31 and June 5, Montgomery had righted the ship over the next three outings prior to Thursday, allowing just five earned runs over 16.2 innings and collecting the win in each. His next start won't get any easier as he's presently slated to face the Dodgers in Los Angeles during a mid-week series.

Wheeler allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 6.2 innings in a no-decision against Miami on Thursday.

Wheeler cruised through six scoreless frames before running into trouble in the seventh. In that inning, he retired the first two batters he faced before allowing back-to-back singles. The right-hander was then given the hook, and both runners came around to score following his departure. Wheeler nonetheless managed a quality start -- his seventh over his past eight outings. He's tied for first in the league with 13 quality starts on the season and has registered a 2.73 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 112:31 K:BB over 105.2 innings.

Rogers allowed three runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters over six innings in a no-decision against Philadelphia on Thursday.

Rogers threw just 57 of 103 pitches for strikes and tied a season high with four free passes, but he still managed to record his third consecutive quality start. The southpaw doesn't have any wins in those outings, but he's posted a 3.26 ERA with a 12:5 K:BB over 19.1 innings during that stretch. Rogers' ERA on the season still sits at a much less alluring 4.87, though it's at 3.56 across five starts in June.

Imanaga allowed three runs on five hits across six innings but did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning win over the Giants. He walked two and struck out three.

This was a nice bounceback effort for Imanaga, who allowed 10 runs in his last outing against the surging Mets. The righty had a sparkling 1.89 ERA before that implosion, but he's still sitting with a solid 3.07 mark across his first 15 starts at the MLB level. While it was unlikely that Imanaga would continue his early season dominance, he should still be a strong fantasy option moving forward. He's tentatively lined up to start again Wednesday against a challenging Philadelphia lineup.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Walker (finger) will not return before the All-Star break, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.

The team doesn't have a timetable to offer yet on Walker, who is dealing with right index finger inflammation, but it is not expecting him back before the end of the first half. With Spencer Turnbull (lat) joining Walker on the 15-day injured list, the Phillies' rotation depth is being tested. Filling the fifth spot for now will be Michael Mercado.

Wicks (oblique) is not expected to return until after the All-Star break, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wicks was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain just under two weeks ago and has not yet been cleared to begin a throwing program. He'll need to be built back up and eventually require a rehab assignment before returning, so the left-hander still looks to be several weeks away.

Cobb (hip/shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday and could begin a rehab assignment with Single-A San Jose afterward if everything goes smoothly, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb has been trending in the right direction since being shut down in May due to soreness in his right (throwing) shoulder. However, he still needs to build back up to a starter's workload after spending all season on the injured list, so he likely won't return to the Giants' rotation until after the All-Star break.

Harrison (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Harrison resumed throwing on flat ground earlier this week and has now been cleared to try things from the bump. It's been more than two weeks since Harrison made a start, so it's likely he'll be asked to go out on a short rehab assignment once he's deemed ready.

The Cubs placed Assad on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right forearm extensor strain, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The injury has evidently been an issue for Assad off and on for about two weeks, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, which could help explain why he's stumbled in June with a 5.49 ERA after entering the month with a 2.27 mark. With Assad slated to miss at least two turns, Hayden Wesneski is likely to remain in the Cubs' rotation for a while.