MLB Player News

Giolito (elbow) said in an interview last week that he expects to start playing catch by the end of the month, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. "Working with the training staff, it's been fantastic," Giolito said of his recovery from the internal brace procedure he underwent March 12. "It's just making sure to stay motivated every day. Hitting each little goal and looking forward to the next major step, which will be beginning my throwing program."

Only a few weeks after undergoing an elbow surgery that typically entails a 10-to-12-month recovery process, Giolito said in an appearance on "The Chris Rose Rotation" podcast that he expected to pitch at some point late in the 2024 season, but that was never a realistic goal. Giolito has since conceded that he won't return from the 60-day injured list this season, but he remains fully confident that he'll be ready to go for the start of the 2025 campaign. Giolito still looks to be trending well in his recovery from surgery thus far, and he could be cleared to resume throwing off a mound before the end of the season if he experiences no setbacks once he starts up his throwing program later this month.

Walker (finger) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw another Wednesday at his home in Arizona, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Walker "looked great" in Saturday's throwing session in Philadelphia, and the right-hander has received the green light to continue throwing on his own over the All-Star break. He'll link back up with the Phillies following the break before the club determines whether he's ready to face hitters. Walker is expected to require multiple starts on a minor-league rehab assignment as he looks to move past a blister and inflammation on his right index finger, so he doesn't look to be on pace for a return from the 15-day injured list until at least early August.

Phillips is scheduled to make his next start either Saturday or Sunday in Pittsburgh, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Phillips will get a second turn through the rotation after he held his own in his first MLB start Saturday, when he earned a win over the Athletics while striking out five and allowing four runs on six hits and no walks over six innings. Whether Phillips pitches Saturday or Sunday will depend on how extensively left-hander Cristopher Sanchez is used in Tuesday's All-Star Game, but the Phillies are already committed to having the 26-year-old right-hander pitch next weekend against the Pirates. Unless he implodes against the Pirates, Phillips should get at least one more start after that, as the Phillies don't seem to be counting on Taijuan Walker (finger) returning from the injured list until August.

Suarez won't be available for Tuesday's All-Star Game while he recovers from back tightness, but the Phillies expect him to be available to make his first start of the second half July 22 or 23 in Minnesota, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Suarez hasn't been forced to miss any time due to the back issue and likely would have been available to start during the upcoming week if the Phillies needed him, but he'll instead use the All-Star break to heal up while he's less than 100 percent healthy. Though he's in the midst of a career-best season and was looking forward to pitching in his first Midsummer Classic, Suarez clearly hasn't been at his best of late, as he has struggled to an 8.62 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB in 15.2 innings over his last three starts, two of which have come against sub-.500 clubs in the Marlins and Athletics. Suarez won't travel to Arlington, Texas, for the All-Star Game and will instead remain in Philadelphia to continue throwing. Zack Wheeler is also tending to a back issue and will skip the All-Star Game, but both he and Suarez are expected to take the hill in some order when the Phillies next require fourth and fifth starters July 22 and 23.

Snell allowed one hit and struck out eight without walking a batter over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Sunday.

Snell carried a perfect game into the seventh inning, and he faced the minimum in his start by erasing the one hit he gave up with a double play. The left-hander was denied the win after Camilo Doval blew a save opportunity, but the Giants bounced back for the team victory. Snell has allowed two hits and three walks over 12 innings since returning from a groin injury, finally showing his skills after an injury-riddled start to 2024. He has a 6.31 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 42:17 K:BB through 35.2 innings over eight starts, but he should be considered a buy-low target in fantasy.

Wheeler (back) played catch in the outfield Sunday and is expected to make his next start for the Phillies on July 22 or 23 versus the Twins in Minnesota, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

A bout with back spasms caused Wheeler to miss out on a start in the Phillies' final game before the All-Star break Sunday versus the Athletics, and it'll also prevent from making his second appearance in the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday. However, the back issue wasn't significant enough to force Wheeler to the injured list, and if he continues to remain free of setbacks in his throwing sessions over the next week, he should be ready to take the hill July 22 or 23 without any restrictions. With a 10-4 record, 2.70 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through 116.2 innings over his 16 outings on the season, Wheeler had been a leading candidate to start for the National League in the All-Star Game, but those duties will now fall to Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes.

Irvin (7-8) allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Brewers.

After a nine-start stretch in which he allowed more than two runs just once, Irvin has been tagged for 13 runs (12 earned) across his last two outings. The right-hander's ERA ticked up to 3.49 with a 1.11 WHIP and 99:29 K:BB through 116 innings over 20 starts this season. He's shown significant improvement in his second big-league campaign, but it'll be important to keep an eye on how he holds up during the second half.

Rea (9-3) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over 5.2 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Nationals.

Rea was lit up for seven runs over five innings in his last start, so the Brewers opted to have him work behind an opener Sunday. The plan was a success, as he turned in a strong performance, with the seven strikeouts being one shy of his season high. The 34-year-old has put up decent numbers this year with a 3.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 76:31 K:BB over 105 innings across 19 appearances (16 starts). Rea should remain in the Brewers' rotation following the All-Star break, though it's unclear if he'll resume working as a traditional starter or end up pitching behind an opener more often in the second half.

Mikolas (7-8) allowed six runs on eight hits and struck out two without walking a batter over 5.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Cubs.

Four of the eight hits Mikolas allowed were homers, including two by Pete Crow-Armstrong. Prior to Sunday, Mikolas had allowed just one homer over his last six starts, though this was the fourth time this season he's given up multiple long balls. The veteran right-hander concludes the first half with a 5.13 ERA, which would be his worst in six seasons as a Cardinal, while adding a 1.22 WHIP and 77:18 K:BB through 112.1 innings over 20 starts.

Taillon (7-4) allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 5.2 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cardinals.

Taillon came an out shy of his seventh straight quality start, but he was still able to capture his third win in a row. He's also given up a home run in six straight starts, as Alec Burleson tagged him for a solo shot in the sixth inning. Taillon is now at a 3.10 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 75:18 K:BB through 93 innings over 16 starts this season.