MLB Player News

Rodriguez (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo indicated the left-hander is likely to throw an additional bullpen session after that before progressing to live batting practice. Signed as a free agent in December, Rodriguez has been on the shelf all season due to a strained shoulder, and he'll likely require a multi-start rehab assignment before being cleared for his Arizona debut.

Kershaw (shoulder) is expected to throw four innings during a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

After being cleared to resume throwing July 2, Kershaw has been getting stretched out in anticipation of a big-league return. He threw three scoreless innings in his most recent rehab outing July 13, tossing 38 pitches in the game and 12 more in the bullpen afterward. The veteran lefty could be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list and rejoin the Dodgers' rotation next week.

Kelly (shoulder) is expected to throw two more bullpen sessions before facing hitters, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly is slated to throw off the bump Saturday and is expected to require one additional bullpen session before being cleared to face hitters. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that the right-hander is "feeling really, really good." Kelly is been limited to just four starts this season with a right shoulder strain and will need time to ramp things back up, but the recent reports on his progress have been positive.

Floyd had shoulder surgery and won't pitch again until 2025, Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reports.

It's not clear exactly when Floyd had the procedure, but he opened the year on the injured list with right elbow discomfort and never pitched before needing shoulder surgery. Depending on the severity of the procedure, Floyd may not be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign. He still hasn't made his pro debut after the Reds selected him with the 38th overall pick in the 2023 draft.

Montgomery (knee) is on track to rejoin the Diamondbacks' rotation early next week in Kansas City after completing a three-inning, 56-pitch simulated game Thursday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Montgomery has been shelved since late June with right knee inflammation, but a return is right around the corner. He will skip a rehab assignment, with the Diamondbacks deeming a trio of simulated games enough to get the veteran left-hander ramped back up. Montgomery holds a disappointing 6.44 ERA in 13 starts for Arizona this season.

Ritchie (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list July 12 and tossed five no-hit frames with one walk and seven strikeouts that night for Single-A Augusta.

Ritchie successfully made it all the way back from May 2023 Tommy John surgery. He just turned 21 in June and now has a 3.49 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and a 42:8 K:BB in 28.1 career innings at the Single-A level, so a promotion to High-A could be coming in short order.

Wicks (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The left-hander landed on the shelf in mid-June with a Grade 2 right oblique strain, and he hasn't recovered as quickly as the Cubs had hoped. Wicks will be eligible to return in mid-August, but he may need to ramp up his throwing soon in order to have a chance of avoiding a longer absence.

Williams (elbow) resumed playing catch from 60 feet earlier this month but remains without a clear timeline for a return from the 15-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Before landing on the IL on June 4 with a right flexor muscle strain, Williams had been a pleasant surprise for the Nationals this season with a 5-0 record, 2.22 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 47:16 K:BB in 56.2 innings. While the strong form he displayed prior to getting hurt should be enough for him to reclaim a rotation spot once he's activated from the IL, Williams' return still looks to be multiple weeks down the road. He'll eventually need to resume throwing off a mound and facing hitters in live batting practice before embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being reinstated from the IL.

Nelson will start Arizona's series opener on the road against the Cubs on Friday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Nelson will get the ball first as the Diamondbacks come out of the All-Star break, carrying a 4.98 ERA and 6.1 K/9 over 86.2 innings in 17 appearances, including 15 starts, this season. With Jordan Montgomery (knee) returning to the rotation this week and Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) and Merrill Kelly (shoulder) on the horizon, Nelson may need to impress in his next few starts to solidify his spot in the team's starting rotation.

Luzardo (back) has been participating in bike workouts and working on forearm and shoulder strengthening in recent weeks, MLB.com reports.

While Luzardo hasn't been shut down from physical activity since landing on the injured list June 22 with a lumbar stress reaction, he's yet to resume throwing after nearly a month. The Marlins transferred him to the 60-day injured list a day after placing him on the 15-day IL, so the club is already preparing for his absence to extend into the second half of August. A clearer target date for his return won't be available until he's ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment.