MLB Player News

Wicks (oblique) was scratched from Friday's rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, and Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that the 24-year-old southpaw could be activated from the 60-day injured list to start this weekend against the Nationals, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wicks has been sidelined since mid-June due to a Grade 2 right oblique strain. He began his rehab assignment in early August, and in his last outing Sunday, he tossed 4.2 scoreless innings while striking out four batters and allowing three hits and one walk. Javier Assad and Jameson Taillon are currently penciled in as the Cubs' starters for Saturday and Sunday respectively, but one of the two could be bumped back in the schedule to Monday against the Pirates if the Cubs elect to activate Wicks this weekend.

Rea didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Cincinnati, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits over four innings. He struck out five.

Rea got off to a shaky start, allowing three runs in his first two innings. However, he'd manage to keep things close, allowing just one run over his final two frames in Milwaukee's eventual 10-inning win. Rea's had some trouble with the long ball of late -- he gave up two solo shots Friday and has served up eight homers in his last four starts (23.2 innings). Overall, the right-hander sports a 3.70 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 118:36 K:BB across 146 innings this year. Rea's currently scheduled for a home matchup with the Cardinals in his next outing.

Madden is no longer listed as the starter for Sunday's game versus the Red Sox but could be used as a bulk reliever, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Madden allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while fanning two batters over five innings in his major-league debut Monday against the White Sox. He'll stick around with the big club for now, although his role isn't set in stone.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Schmidt (lat) might not necessarily require another rehab start, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Boone said prior to Schmidt's second rehab outing Wednesday that the right-hander would probably make two more rehab starts, but he's now leaving open the possibility that Schmidt's next appearance comes in the majors. Schmidt has allowed two runs with an 11:2 K:BB covering 6.2 innings in his first two rehab starts. The expectation is that he will be used as a starter upon his return to the Yankees, although he could eventually shift to the bullpen once Luis Gil (back) comes off the IL.

The Mets recalled Megill from Triple-A Syracuse to start Friday's game against the White Sox.

As expected, Megill will fill the rotation spot vacated by Paul Blackburn (hand) and face off against the White Sox. In his last three starts for Syracuse, Megill has a 4.15 ERA with a 21:5 K:BB across 17.1 innings. He's logged a 5.17 ERA in 10 appearances (nine starts) with the Mets in 2024.

Cobb (fingernail) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday against the Pirates, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Cobb will wind up spending just one day beyond the minimum on the 15-day IL due to a cracked fingernail on his pitching hand. He did not make a rehab start, but given the brevity of his absence, Cobb should be able to handle a relatively normal workload versus the Pirates.

Manager Dave Martinez said Williams (elbow) will throw to live hitters Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Williams has been on the shelf since June 4 with a right flexor strain and has been cleared to throw against hitters. Considering the lengthy layoff, the 32-year-old will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment. It's unclear if he'll have enough time to be stretched out and rejoin the Nationals rotation.

Olson (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Olson was cleared for mound work Aug. 21 and has now advanced to facing live hitters. The right-hander will likely require a minor-league rehab stint, though it's unclear if he'll have enough time to get fully stretched out and rejoin the rotation.

The Tigers activated Mize (hamstring) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Mize missed two months of action with a strained hamstring but is ready to rejoin the Tigers rotation with a start Friday against the Red Sox. The right-hander looked good in four rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo, posting a 2.63 ERA and 17:4 K:BB across 13.2 frames. He threw 78 pitches in his final rehab outing, so Mize should be available for close to a full workload Friday. He holds a 4.23 ERA and 58:21 K:BB in 78.2 innings covering 16 starts for Detroit this season.

The Tigers placed Melton on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Erie due to a right shoulder strain, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

Melton has made 23 starts for Erie this season, logging a 5.10 ERA across 100.2 innings with a 119:30 K:BB. The 23-year-old right-hander was selected by Detroit with the 117th overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft.