MLB Player News

Williams (elbow) yielded one run on three hits and two walks over four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Williams wasn't very efficient, needing 82 pitches to cover his four frames. The results were impressive, though, as he struck out six, induced 16 whiffs and gave up just one batted ball hit at 95-plus mph. The Guardians have not confirmed any plans for when Williams' season debut for them will occur, but it could be next week, as soon as Tuesday versus the White Sox. Williams has been on the injured list all season with a right elbow problem.

Kremer (triceps) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in his third rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports. He struck out five batters.

Kremer got his pitch count up to 75 and looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list from a workload standpoint, but it's unclear if Baltimore is keen on slotting him back into the rotation while he's largely struggled during the minor-league assignment. The right-hander has posted an 11.42 ERA and 9:4 K:BB over 8.2 innings across his three starts. He's been out since late May with a right triceps strain.

The Cubs placed Assad on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right forearm extensor strain, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The injury has evidently been an issue for Assad off and on for about two weeks, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, which could help explain why he's stumbled in June with a 5.49 ERA after entering the month with a 2.27 mark. With Assad slated to miss at least two turns, Hayden Wesneski is likely to remain in the Cubs' rotation for a while.

Darvish had imaging on his right elbow come back clean Wednesday, though he'll likely get additional imaging "for peace of mind," Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press reports.

Darvish has recovered from a groin injury and was originally expected to come off the injured list to start Tuesday, but that plan was scrapped when he developed inflammation in his right elbow. Initial indications suggested that the issue is minor, and the clean imaging seems to support that, though San Diego will likely be cautious with the veteran hurler's return. It's not yet clear when Darvish will return to action or if he'll need to make any rehab starts given the extension of his absence.

Blackburn (foot) threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Angel Stadium and is set to complete another one Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been making steady progress over the last week-plus, as he's already thrown two bullpen sessions and has seemingly come away from that activity without setbacks. If Saturday's session also goes off without a hitch, Blackburn could progress to facing hitters as the next step in his recovery.

Atlanta optioned Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

As expected, Elder was returned to the minors after he was designated as Atlanta's 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals. He picked up the start in the second game and was dealt a loss after giving up two earned runs on four hits and no walks while striking out four over six innings.

Jones isn't listed among the Pirates' probable starting pitchers for this weekend's series in Atlanta, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Jones will thus go the entire week without making a start, much to the chagrin of fantasy managers in weekly leagues who chose to keep him active. Gorman notes that general manager Ben Cherington has previously said that while the Pirates don't intend to shut Jones or fellow rookie phenom Paul Skenes down at any point this season, both pitchers will have their respective workloads managed to some degree as the campaign unfolds. Jones isn't dealing with any sort of injury, so the Pirates appear to have simply chosen this week as an opportunity to build in more recovery for the right-hander, who has logged 86 innings through his first 15 big-league starts. Jones now appears to be in line to make his next start at some point during next week's series versus the Cardinals.

Perez (groin) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday in Atlanta, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates will push back Jared Jones' next turn through the rotation in order to make room for Perez, whose last outing before he landed on the IL in late May coincidentally came against Atlanta. Perez needed just one rehab start to convince the Pirates he was ready to rejoin the big club, as he allowed two runs (one earned) over five innings while tossing 65 pitches for Triple-A Indianapolis last weekend. Perez shouldn't face any major restrictions with his workload Friday.

Cabrera (shoulder) threw four scoreless, no-hit innings for Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, striking out seven and walking two.

The right-hander built up to 60 pitches (37 strikes) as he closes in on a return to the big-league rotation. The Marlins moved Cabrera to the 60-day IL over the weekend, which will prevent him from being activated until early July, but he should be ready to rejoin the team's staff as soon as he's eligible. Through five MLB starts this season, Cabrera has a 7.17 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 31:14 K:BB across 21.1 innings.

Marquez (elbow) will make a rehab start with Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Marquez made his most recent rehab outing Saturday with High-A Spokane and threw 58 pitches over four scoreless frames. The right-hander will head to the highest level of the minors to put the finishing touches on his rehab from Tommy John surgery, and he could make his season debut in early July.