MLB Player News

Gil (lat) may be ready to start a minor-league rehab assignment next week, per MLB.com.

Gil threw a live bullpen Thursday, and his next step could be to pitch in a minor-league contest. The right-hander hasn't logged any game action at all this season, as he was diagnosed with a high-grade right lat strain early in spring training. Gil is expected to be built up to 45-to-50 pitches at this point, so he'll likely need to make several rehab starts before he's ready to join New York's rotation.

Yarbrough (oblique) has yet to resume throwing, per MLB.com.

Yarbrough has been out of action since June 18 due to a right oblique strain. While he's now eligible to be activated from the IL, it appears the left-hander may need to wait until after the All-Star break to rejoin the Yankees. Manager Aaron Boone did mention Saturday that Yarbrough is "getting over the hump" and may begin throwing soon.

King (shoulder) isn't yet throwing off a mound, but he's pain-free and has been able to increase the intensity and distance of his throws, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

King has been out since mid-May due to a pinched thoracic nerve in his right shoulder, and he was initially unable to throw a baseball at all. The fact that he's now playing catch suggests considerable progress, though a timeframe for his return to game action probably won't be established until King is able to throw off a mound again. Manager Mike Shildt said that the Padres are "as optimistic as [they've] been" about King's status but also indicated that the team is guarding the optimism," so it appears the right-handed hurler still has several boxes to check before he's ready for a potential rehab assignment.

The Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alexander worked three scoreless innings Friday against the Dodgers to pick up the first save of his MLB career, but he'll be sent back to Triple-A to free a spot in the bullpen for the newly signed Hector Neris. Alexander's 1.72 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in the minors this season, haven't quite translated into big-league success, as he's given up 14 earned runs over 15 innings between the Astros and Athletics.

Bergert (forearm) is expected to throw 50-to-60 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Bergert was hit by a comebacker during a game June 24 and was subsequently placed on the IL with a bruised forearm. X-rays came back negative, and the right-hander was able to throw a bullpen session July 4, so he appears to have escaped a serious injury. If Bergert's outing with El Paso goes well, he could be activated when first eligible July 10 or shortly thereafter.

The Yankees are expected to call up Schlittler from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start either Tuesday or Wednesday against the Mariners in New York, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

With Clarke Schmidt (forearm) likely destined for season-ending Tommy John surgery, the Yankees will turn to one of their top pitching prospects to fill the hole in their starting rotation. Schlittler, 24, owns a 3.80 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through five starts (23.2 innings) at Triple-A, though nearly all of the damage done against him came during his most recent outing Tuesday, when he allowed seven runs (six earned) in 2.1 innings.

The Guardians optioned Nikhazy to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Just two days after being promoted to Cleveland, Nikhazy will head back to Triple-A following his one-inning shutout performance Friday. His departure clears a spot on the active roster for Paul Sewald (shoulder) to return from the injured list.

Black threw four relief innings in Friday's 11-2 loss to the Athletics, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits -- including two home runs -- while striking out five.

Black made his season debut after being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday. The right-hander entered the game in the fourth and allowed just one hit through his first two innings. However, things unraveled for the 25-year-old in the next two frames, as the Athletics extended their lead to 11-0 by the end of the seventh. Before joining the big-league club, Black made 14 starts in 15 appearances for Sacramento, posting a 4.75 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 70:42 K:BB across 72 innings.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Houck (elbow) will make another rehab start in the minors this week, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Houck turned in the best performance of his rehab assignment so far Friday at Double-A Portland, firing five shutout innings while striking out four batters. The upcoming All-Star break makes it hard to predict when the 29-year-old right-hander will rejoin the Red Sox, though he likely isn't too far away from activation.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Schmidt (forearm) will likely need Tommy John surgery, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Schmidt landed on the injured list Friday after injuring his forearm during his start Thursday against Toronto. The 29-year-old righty is currently seeking a second opinion, but early indications point to him requiring surgery, which would put an end to his season and possibly keep him out for all of 2026 as well.