MLB Player News

Povich (hip) struck out three over three perfect innings in a rehab start for High-A Aberdeen on Sunday.

Povich needed just 30 pitches to retire all nine hitters that he faced. The 25-year-old left-hander suffered a setback in his recovery from hip inflammation during his June 26 rehab appearance with Triple-A Norfolk, but he's back on track for a return from the injured list sometime shortly after the All-Star break. With southpaw Trevor Rogers working to a 1.53 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB through six major-league starts this season and with Charlie Morton pitching better of late after a rough start to the campaign, the Orioles may not have a rotation spot available for the young southpaw once he's activated.

Keller didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's 2-1 win against the Twins, allowing one run on four hits over six innings while recording three strikeouts.

Keller turned in another strong outing Sunday, with the only damage coming on a Byron Buxton RBI double in the fourth inning. The right-hander, who was pulled after 83 pitches, has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts, compiling a 2.32 ERA with 31 strikeouts and seven walks over 42.2 innings during that stretch. Keller looks locked in heading into the All-Star break, continuing to offer dependable ratios and consistently eating up innings for the non-contending Pirates.

Kelly (8-5) allowed one run on one hit and four walks while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.

Kelly battled calf discomfort in his last start, but he looks to be fine after a 98-pitch start, though he landed just 58 of those pitches for strikes. He was still able to limit the damage to a Mike Trout RBI single in the third inning, and the Diamondbacks gave Kelly plenty of support to pick up his first win in four starts. The four walks matched his season high from his first start of the year, while the right-hander was able to keep the ball in the yard for the first time in six outings. He's at a 3.34 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 113:33 K:BB across 116 innings over 20 starts this season. Kelly should be in line for a start in Arizona's home series versus the Cardinals after the All-Star break.

Eflin (back) struck out two and allowed two earned runs on five hits and one walk over four innings in his rehab start with Double-A Chesapeake on Sunday.

Eflin tossed 58 pitches (38 strikes) in what may have been the only rehab outing he'll require before returning from the 15-day injured list. According to MLB.com, Eflin is scheduled to continue his throwing progression at the Orioles' spring facility in Florida on Friday, and if all goes well, he could be cleared to re-enter the rotation for the team's second series following the All-Star break. Brandon Young appears to be the most likely candidate to lose his rotation spot once Eflin is activated.

France (shoulder) tossed a live batting practice session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

France has been facing live hitters for nearly a month, but the Astros haven't yet provided an update on when he might be ready to embark on what will likely be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The right-hander has been out all season while recovering from last July's surgery to repair a torn shoulder capsule.

Gomber (0-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings in a 4-2 defeat against the Reds.

The left-hander's outing got off to a rocky start, as he served up a leadoff homer to TJ Friedl on just his fourth pitch of the game. Gomber managed to limit the damage from there but was yet again unable to make it past the fifth inning. This marked only his sixth start on the season after recovering from a shoulder injury, and through those outings, he's posted a 5.65 ERA while surrendering six home runs and has yet to find a consistent groove.

Martinez (7-9) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings while striking out three in a 4-2 victory over the Rockies.

Coming off his worst start of the season, Martinez rebounded with a more composed outing Sunday, retiring the first six Rockies he faced before allowing both his runs on a Mickey Moniak single in the third. Martinez managed to work into the sixth, where he departed after allowing a pair of baserunners. With this bounce-back performance, the right-hander now holds a 4.78 ERA, 1.21 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 111 innings this season.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Arrighetti (thumb) could be ready to begin a rehab assignment in about a week or a week and a half, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brown noted that Arrighetti has resumed throwing live batting practice sessions at the Astros' spring training facility in Florida, and the 25-year-old righty sounds like he'll get the green light to start up a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break. Arrighetti made just two starts to begin the season before being placed on the injured list April 8 due to a fractured right thumb, so he'll likely require multiple outings in the minors to build up his pitch count before he's cleared to rejoin the big-league rotation. Arrighetti could be back with the Astros at some point in early or mid-August.

Fried (finger) said Sunday that he's uncertain if he'll be ready to make his first start following the All-Star break next weekend in Atlanta, but he noted that he's improving as he recovers from a blister, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Fried was pulled from his most recent start in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Cubs ahead of the fourth inning due to a blister on his left index finger. The left-hander said Sunday that he's moving in the "right direction" and "getting better," but the Yankees might not have a better idea regarding his status for next weekend until he throws a bullpen session in the next few days. The three-time All-Star has enjoyed an impressive first season in New York, posting an 11-3 record, 2.43 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 113 strikeouts over 122 innings in 20 starts.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that he believes Sasaki (shoulder) could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list around late August, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Roberts noted that Sasaki is pain-free and was able to throw his first bullpen session Friday since he landed on the injured list May 13, but the Dodgers nonetheless appear content to take a slow and deliberate approach with ramping the rookie back up as he recovers from a right shoulder impingement. Sasaki is scheduled to throw another side session Monday, and he could be another week or two away from facing hitters in live batting practice before heading out on what will presumably be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. Given his poor numbers (4.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP in 34.1 innings over eight starts) prior to landing on the shelf, Sasaki may not be in line for a spot in the Los Angeles rotation once he returns from the 60-day IL.