MLB Player News

Matz (back) suffered a setback during his most recent rehab start Sunday at Double-A Springfield and will be shut down from throwing for the next two weeks, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Matz reported soreness in his back during the third start of his rehab assignment. Though the veteran southpaw looked to be on the cusp of a return from the 15-day injured list, the setback will result in Matz having to restart his throwing program once the two-week shutdown period is over. According to Woo, the Cardinals estimate that Matz could return within 4-to-6 weeks in a best-case scenario, meaning that he can be ruled out through the All-Star break.

Scherzer (back/thumb) said Saturday that he'll return from the 60-day injured list to start in Sunday's series finale against the Royals, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

After completing his recovery from offseason back surgery in addition to moving past the thumb and forearm injuries that slowed down his rehab process, Scherzer was originally scheduled to make his 2024 debut Saturday. The Rangers ultimately elected to push Scherzer back another day, with manager Bruce Bochy opting to go with Jon Gray for the second game of the series. With Scherzer set to take the mound Sunday, Dane Dunning will be pushed back to start in Monday's series opener against the Brewers. After being acquired from the Mets ahead of the trade deadline last season, Scherzer went 4-2 over eight regular-season starts with the Rangers, posting a 3.20 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB in 45 innings.

Cavalli (elbow) struck out three and fired three scoreless, no-hit innings for High-A Wilmington on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander had his rehab from Tommy John surgery paused in late May, but he was brilliant in his return to the mound as he threw 35 pitches and allowed just one baserunner to reach base on a walk. The Nationals have been cautious with Cavalli's recovery, but he appears to be entering the final stages of his rehab and could return from the 60-day injured list following the All-Star break.

The Marlins placed Luzardo on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to a lumbar stress reaction.

Though he battled a stiff back in his most recent outing this past Sunday in Washington, Luzardo had been listed as the Marlins' starter for Saturday's game versus the Mariners. The southpaw evidently didn't bounce back as well from the back injury as the team had hoped, and he's since been scratched from the start and placed on the IL. Miami has recalled Shaun Anderson from Triple-A Jacksonville to make a spot start Saturday in Luzardo's stead. The 26-year-old will be eligible to return from the IL on July 4, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to go by that time.

The Giants placed Winn on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Winn returns to the IL for the second time this season on account of an arm issue. He likely suffered the elbow injury during his start in the Giants' 6-5 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday, when he allowed five earned runs in just 2.2 innings. The Giants haven't yet named a replacement in the rotation for Winn, who holds a 3-8 record and 7.16 ERA through his 12 starts.

The Royals reinstated Wacha (foot) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start against the Rangers on Saturday.

Wacha was placed on the injured list June 2 due to a non-displaced left foot fracture he sustained on a comebacker against the Padres on May 31. He made a rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Monday, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out six over four scoreless innings. To make room for Wacha, right-hander Steven Cruz was optioned to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.

Rogers came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Mariners, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over 6.1 innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw produced his second straight quality start on 90 pitches (58 strikes), but Rogers remains without a win since May 15. He's at least giving himself a better chance of collecting one -- he's lasted at least six innings in three of four starts in June with a 3.33 ERA and 1.03 WHIP, after failing to complete six frames in any of his first 11 outings of the season. Rogers will try to get back in the win column in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Kansas City.

Sanchez signed a four-year contract extension with the Phillies on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Sanchez has been a key part of Philadelphia's rotation this season, posting a 2.91 ERA and 1.36 WHIP alongside a 66:24 K:BB through 77.1 innings across 14 starts. The left-hander was already under team control through the 2028 campaign, but his extension will buy out his arbitration years and reportedly includes options for 2029 and 2030 that could allow the Phillies to keep him around longer.

Kirby came away with a no-decision in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Marlins, allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The 26-year-old right-hander reeled off his third straight quality start and ninth of the season on an efficient 85 pitches (60 strikes), but Kirby was denied his seventh win of the year when the Seattle offense went cold after the second inning. He'll take a 3.47 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and dazzling 89:9 K:BB through 93.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next week in Tampa Bay.

Abbott (6-6) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in a 5-2 victory over the Red Sox. He struck out 10.

The 10 Ks were a season high for Abbott and marked the third time in 36 career big-league starts he's reached double digits. The 25-year-old lefty hasn't had consistent swing-and-miss stuff this year -- he hasn't fanned more than six batters in an outing since May 4 -- and continues to have trouble keeping the ball in the park, as both runs against him Friday came on solo shots, but he's been making it all work so far in 2024. Abbott will take a 3.40 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 70:26 K:BB through 84.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Pirates.