MLB Player News

Early (elbow) threw an inning in a bullpen session Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Early, who had played catch out to 120 feet earlier in the week, added a bullpen session to his rehab progression. The left-hander also added pitchers' fielding practice to his list of activities. The next steps for Early will be a two-inning session in the bullpen followed by live batting practice. A short rehab assignment is anticipated.

Sears is no longer listed as the starting pitcher for Saturday's game against Miami.

Randy Vasquez will step in as San Diego's starter, but because he hasn't pitched more than three innings since June 27, Sears may still end up working in bulk relief Saturday. The 30-year-old lefty turned in one of his best outings of the season during his last appearance, allowing two runs (one earned) in five innings against Atlanta on Monday.

Vasquez will start Saturday's game against the Marlins.

Vasquez will be making his first start since returning from the injured list last weekend, but because he hasn't pitched more than three innings in a game since the beginning of July, he's likely to act as more of an opener for JP Sears, who was originally in line to start Saturday's contest. Vasquez has been struggling mightily on the mound as of late, giving up 16 earned runs in just 13.1 frames across his last five appearances.

Smith-Shawver (elbow) is expected to make one more rehab start before being activated from the injured list, Ian Quillen of MLB.com reports.

Over four innings and 86 pitches (54 strikes) for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, the 23-year-old right-hander allowed just one unearned run on two hits and one walk while striking out five. Smith-Shawver has a 12:5 K:BB in 10.2 rehab innings for Gwinnett with a 1.69 ERA, but it's not yet clear if Atlanta will immediately add him to the big-league rotation once his IL stint is done -- the team is actively shopping for starting pitching at the trade deadline, and Smith-Shawver has a minor-league option remaining. If Atlanta doesn't bring in outside reinforcements, however, he could be an option to replace the struggling Reynaldo Lopez (nine runs allowed in 9.1 innings over his last two outings).

Montgomery (elbow) will make the seventh start of his rehab assignment Saturday in the first game of Triple-A Round Rock's doubleheader with Albuquerque, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

After turning in a 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB in 12 innings across his first five rehab starts between Round Rock and Double-A Frisco, Montgomery was roughed up for six earned runs on seven hits over 2.2 innings in his most recent outing with the Triple-A club last weekend. Montgomery was still able to reach 53 pitches in that appearance, and if he's able to build on that workload Saturday, he could be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list during the upcoming week. Montgomery has been on the shelf all season while recovering from UCL surgery, which he underwent last March.

Jones didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Cubs, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander continues to look good in July, with the only blemish on his line Friday coming on a solo shot by Pete Crow-Armstrong in the sixth inning. Jones produced his second quality start of 2026 on 83 pitches (55 strikes), and he's given up just three runs total over four starts and 21 innings this month with a 1.29 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB. Jones will look to stay locked in during his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Diamondbacks.

Prielipp (finger) threw a bullpen session at Target Field on Thursday and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday's home game versus the Athletics, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

The Twins have yet to announce a starter for Saturday's contest, but all signs point to Prielipp getting the nod, assuming his bullpen session went according to plan. Minnesota placed Prielipp on the IL on July 9 after he developed a blister on his middle finger, with the trip to the shelf enabling the Twins to manage his workload during the second half of the season. Prielipp -- who underwent elbow surgeries in 2021 and 2023 -- is already up to 85.1 innings this season between the majors and Triple-A St. Paul, after he tossed a career-high 101.1 innings across three minor-league affiliates in 2025. He was limited to three frames during his rehab start with St. Paul last weekend, and it wouldn't be surprising if Prielipp were capped at around four or five innings in his first start back from the IL.

Anderson struck out seven batters over five perfect innings in a start with Double-A Arkansas on Friday.

Presumably due to rest, Anderson hadn't taken the mound in three weeks before Friday, but he picked up right where he left off and showed no signs of rust. The Mariners plans for Anderson over the rest of 2026 aren't clear, but with the lefty sporting a 1.27 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and eye-popping 115:10 K:BB in 77.2 innings on the season, it's evident Double-A batters are no match for him.

Boyd didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Pirates, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks over seven innings. He struck out four.

The veteran lefty ran into trouble in the fifth inning, walking two batters and then giving up two singles before he could record an out, but Boyd limited the damage to a single run before giving the Cubs two more clean frames. He left the mound after 97 pitches (64 strikes) having produced his fourth quality start of the season, and Boyd's six-decision win streak remains intact -- he hasn't been saddled with a loss since March 26. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in St. Louis.

Skubal (7-5) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 7.1 innings in a 2-1 victory over the Royals. He struck out 12.

The dozen strikeouts were a season high for the two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, and Skubal's changeup was particularly vicious, generating 10 whiffs on 14 swings as he put together his eighth quality start of the year. The trade rumors swirling about Skubal haven't been a distraction for him, and over four outings in July he's delivered a 1.48 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 35:5 K:BB over 24.1 innings. He lines up to make what could be his final start as a Tiger at home next week against the Orioles.