MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) is scheduled to throw 25 warmup pitches Saturday and then sit down to mimic a break between innings before re-taking the mound, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Saturday's session will be McCullers' first up-down since undergoing surgery last June. He's expected to simulate one more up-down before the Astros consider having the right-hander face hitters. McCullers appears to be on track for an August return.

The Brewers activated Junis (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

After winning a spot in Milwaukee's Opening Day rotation, Junis made only one start before being placed on the IL with a pinched nerve in his throwing shoulder. A few weeks later, his recovery was delayed after he was hit in the head by a ball during batting practice. Two months later, Junis will finally return to Milwaukee's active roster after he covered 4.1 innings over two rehab appearances with Triple-A Nashville before throwing a four-inning simulated game earlier this week. The right-hander is expected to work out of the bullpen as a long-relief option for now before eventually re-entering the rotation. Bradley Blalock was optioned to Double-A Biloxi in a corresponding move.

The Dodgers recalled Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Knack was named the starter for Friday's game against the Angels after Yoshinobu Yamamoto was placed on the injured list Sunday due to a right rotator cuff strain. Over 10 appearances in the minors this season, Knack has a 3.54 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB over 48.1 innings. His last start in the majors was against the Reds on May 19, when he allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five over 4.2 innings. To make room for Knack, the Dodgers optioned right-hander J.P. Feyereisen to Oklahoma City.

Quintana (3-5) earned the win against the Cubs on Friday, allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Quintana allowed an unearned run in the first inning but cruised from there with plenty of run support, as the Mets scored 11 runs in the first four frames. The southpaw surpassed the season-high six strikeouts he recorded June 15 in his last outing, and he registered his second consecutive victory and quality start. On the season, Quintana owns a 4.58 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 58:26 K:BB over 78.2 innings and lines up to face the Astros next week.

Imanaga (7-2) took the loss to the Mets on Friday, allowing 10 runs on 11 hits and one walk with three strikeouts over three-plus innings.

Imanaga was hit hard early and often, surrendering six runs on three home runs in the first two innings and another run in the third. He was unable to record an out in the fourth frame and was charged with three more runs, resulting in the worst outing of his major-league career. In total, Imanaga allowed 11 hard-hit balls, and the velocity on each of his pitches was at least one mph below his season averages. Imanaga's ERA rose from 1.89 to 2.96 with a 1.10 WHIP and 81:12 K:BB over 79 innings. He'll look to rebound in a matchup with the Giants next week.

The Padres optioned Mazur to Triple-A El Paso following Thursday's game against the Brewers.

The move corresponds with southpaw Tom Cosgrove being recalled from Triple-A El Paso. Mazur was called up to the Padres' rotation June 4 due to Yu Darvish (groin) landing on the injured list. Over his four major-league starts, Mazur has an 0-2 record with a 7.27 ERA and 1.96 WHIP, and he has failed to make it through five innings over his last three starts. The 23-year-old right-hander hasn't had it much better in Triple-A this year, posting a 7.11 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 19 innings.

Gray will start Saturday's game against the Royals, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Gray was scheduled to throw Monday at Milwaukee on seven days rest, but he'll have his start bumped up to Saturday to give Max Scherzer (thumb/back) extra rest. Gray had surrendered two or fewer runs in 12 consecutive starts before being rocked for nine runs in three innings against the Mets on Monday. He yielded two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts across seven innings in a start against the Royals on May 5.

Scherzer (back/thumb) won't start Saturday's game against the Royals, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Scherzer was initially expected to make his 2024 debut Saturday after undergoing offseason back surgery and more recently dealing with thumb and forearm injuries. Instead, Bruce Bochy will hand the ball to Jon Gray on Saturday, with starters for Sunday's series finale against Kansas City and Monday's series opener against Milwaukee still to be determined. Scherzer and Dane Dunning figure to fill the two starting slots, though it's unclear in what order.

The Athletics recalled Bido from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Bido will join the big-league roster for the second time this season, taking the place of Vinny Nittoli, who was DFA'd in a corresponding move. Bido made a spot start in his only MLB appearance this season, yielding four runs across 2.2 innings before being removed with a blister. However, Bido will likely operate out of the bullpen during this stint with Oakland.

Cabrera (shoulder) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk with four strikeouts across three innings for Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday. He's scheduled to pitch again Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Although Cabrera took the loss Wednesday, he turned in a quality showing in his first rehab appearance. The 26-year-old is expected to throw four innings or roughly 60 pitches Tuesday as Cabrera gets stretched out and ready to rejoin the big-league rotation. It's unclear if he'll require another appearance with Jacksonville before being activated.