MLB Player News

Sale (8-2) took the loss Friday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out 10.

It was a strong bounce-back effort from Sale after he surrendered eight runs against Oakland in his last start. However, Atlanta couldn't get on the board until the eighth inning in an eventual 2-1 defeat. Sale now has eight or more strikeouts in six of his last seven outings. His ERA sits at 3.01 with a 0.94 WHIP and 92:11 K:BB across 12 starts (74.2 innings) this year. Sale's currently in line for a road matchup with the Orioles in his next outing.

Irvin (4-5) earned the win Friday over Atlanta, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Irvin has now thrown 14 scoreless innings in two starts against Atlanta this year, allowing just six hits while logging 14 strikeouts. The 27-year-old right-hander has now delivered four straight quality starts, pitching to a 1.47 ERA in that span. Irvin's lowered his ERA to 3.12 on the season with a 1.03 WHIP and 64:14 K:BB across 75 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Detroit.

Weathers was removed from Friday's game against the Guardians due to left index finger soreness, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Weathers was only able to get through 2.1 innings before being pulled, during which he allowed two earned runs on four hits while striking out three batters and walking none. The Marlins haven't provided any information regarding the severity of his injury, but they'll likely keep an eye on his finger as he approaches his next scheduled start -- tentatively scheduled for Thursday against the Mets.

Snell (groin) began throwing off flat ground Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The plan is for him to begin mound work at some point next week. It's still unclear if the 31-year-old southpaw will be able to return from the IL when eligible June 18, but some clarity may come once Snell has thrown a few bullpen sessions.

Kershaw (shoulder) hit 90 mph during a two-inning simulated game Friday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Friday's session was the second simulated game for Kershaw. The velocity he showed is a good sign that the veteran southpaw is progressing well in his recovery from his offseason shoulder surgery. Kershaw will throw another simulated game next week, though it's not yet certain when he will begin a minor-league rehab stint.

Hall (knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 25-year-old visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for a second opinion on his sprained left knee Friday and a platelet-rich plasm injection was recommended, but the left-hander will instead follow the initial medical opinion and get back to throwing. Hall made two one-inning rehab appearances in the minors in late May before he tweaked his knee, and he'll likely require at least a few bullpen sessions before being cleared for game action again.

The second opinion Gasser received on his left elbow Friday conflicted with the first evaluation, so he's scheduled to visit a third doctor, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

According to Hogg, Dr. Neal ElAttrache recommended surgery after examining Gasser's elbow Friday, which was in contrast to the initial evaluation from earlier this week. There's apparently no new structural damage with the flexor strain, but the differing treatment recommendations will result in the 25-year-old getting a third medical opinion. Gasser is without a timeline for his return, but he appears to be facing an extended absence regardless of whether he undergoes surgery.

Williamson (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for at least seven days, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The left-hander was pulled off his rehab assignment due to persistent issues with his shoulder, and he'll stop throwing entirely for at least a brief period while he and the club consider different options for how to proceed with his recovery. Williamson has yet to pitch for the Reds this season due to the shoulder sprain, and it's now questionable whether he'll be able to return ahead of the All-Star break.

Gray (elbow) will throw 50-55 pitches during a rehab start with Single-A Fredericksburg on Sunday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Gray got up to 76 pitches during a live BP session Tuesday but will have a smaller workload in his first rehab appearance. If all goes well Sunday, the right-hander will head to Double-A Harrisburg for another rehab start. Gray will likely need at least one more outing after the start at Double-A , making late June a feasible timeline for his return.

Wicks (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wicks will be back with the Cubs for the first time since late April after sustaining a forearm strain in his throwing arm. He's completed 3.1 innings in each of his last two rehab starts and was stretched out to 65 pitches in his latest appearance. While Wicks previously served as the Cubs' fifth starter, rookie Ben Brown has impressed as part of the rotation and could push Wicks to the bullpen. Before going down, Wicks had a 4.70 ERA across 23.0 innings.