MLB Player News

Flaherty (6-5) picked up the win Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over six innings against the Guardians. He struck out four.

Flaherty, who had not pitched since June 27 due to lingering back issues, received plenty of run support while holding the Guardians' lineup in check, save for a solo homer in the third by Bo Naylor. Flaherty managed 83 pitches through six innings and was staked with a 10-1 lead by the time he was replaced. It was the fifth time in six starts Flaherty has allowed no more than one run, with the lone exception coming in his previous start, which immediately preceded his two-week hiatus. Flaherty has been a model of consistency in his first year in Detroit, never completing a full seven innings yet also never completing fewer than five through 16 starts this season. Through 95 innings, he's recorded 119 strikeouts to go along with a 3.13 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.

Kelly (shoulder) is set to throw a bullpen session Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Kelly completed a bullpen session Tuesday, the first time he's thrown from the mound since landing on the injured list in mid-April with a shoulder strain. He'll continue building up his workload before progressing to facing live batters and remains on track for a mid-August return.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Montgomery (knee) could be ready for Arizona's road trip immediately following the All-Star break, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Montgomery is set for a bullpen session Friday, which follows his return to mound work Tuesday after briefly being shut down with knee inflammation. Lovullo didn't give a specific target date for Montgomery's return, though it seems that the left-hander will be able to forego a rehab assignment.

Wicks (oblique) has not been progressing through his throwing program as well as the Cubs had hoped, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wicks is reportedly still feeling the effects of the right oblique strain that sent him to the injured list in mid-June, so he has yet to advance beyond playing catch. He remains without a firm return timeline, though it's unlikely he returns to Chicago's rotation before the end of July.

The Diamondbacks optioned Cecconi to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Cecconi allowed three earned runs in four innings during his start Wednesday, raising his ERA to 6.14 to go along with his 1.32 WHIP. The return of Miguel Castro (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list will force Cecconi back to Triple-A, where he's posted a respectable 3.38 ERA in 26.2 innings over five starts. Should the Diamondbacks run into any further trouble with their rotation depth, the 25-year-old may be brought back to Arizona, though a few solid outings in Triple-A would certainly improve his chances.

Civale (2-7) took the loss Thursday against Pittsburgh, allowing one run on six hits and two walks across 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

Civale blanked the Pirates until the seventh inning when he allowed a single, an RBI double and a walk before being pulled with one out. His one run allowed proved to be the difference, as the Brewers only managed two hits on the day, both of which came in the eighth inning. Though it goes down as a loss, Thursday's outing marked Civale's first time pitching into the seventh inning and was his first quality start since April 16. In two starts with the Brewers, Civale has surrendered five runs over 11.1 innings and owns a 14:5 K:BB.

Skenes (6-0) picked up the win Thursday against Milwaukee, allowing no hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch with 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.

Skenes' excellent rookie season got even better Tuesday, as he tied his career high in strikeouts and logged his second hitless start. He finished the outing by retiring 16 consecutive batters and allowed a baserunner in only the second inning. The 22-year-old is undefeated through 11 appearances and has generated a quality start in nine of his last 10 outings. Skenes will enter the All-Star break with a 1.91 ERA and 89 strikeouts across 66.1 innings.

The Angels recalled Kochanowicz from Double-A Rocket City on Thursday ahead of his start versus the Mariners.

Kochanowicz will be making his MLB debut Thursday after posting a 1.85 ERA and 0.94 WHIP across 34 innings during his last five Double-A starts. Davis Daniel was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday, so the fifth spot in the Angels' rotation currently belongs to Kochanowicz, but the 23-year-old right-hander may be sent back to the minor leagues if he struggles against MLB hitters. In order to free up a spot on the active roster, the Angels optioned Jose Marte to Triple-A.

The Astros reinstated Bloss (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday ahead of his start versus Miami, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Right shoulder inflammation has kept Bloss sidelined since June 22, but he's now been given the green light to return to Houston's rotation. It's likely he works under a pitch-count restriction during his first start back from the IL, however, as he was only able to reach 55 pitches during his lone rehab outing. Kaleb Ort was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

Wheeler (back) won't make his scheduled start Sunday against the Athletics, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 34-year-old had an MRI on his back come back negative after he experienced lower-back tightness during Tuesday's start, but Philadelphia will play it safe and skip the right-hander's final outing before the All-Star break. Wheeler is expected to be ready to go to begin the second half, though it's unclear whether he'll be tabbed to start during the opening series in Pittsburgh next weekend.