MLB Player News

Snell (elbow) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, and manager Dave Roberts said it went well, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The session was Snell's first proper bullpen since he underwent a NanoScope procedure on his left elbow May 19. Per MLB.com, the veteran lefty is expected to need at least four more bullpens before he's cleared to face hitters. That puts his timeline to return beyond the All-Star break, though it's possible he could be activated before the end of July.

Sasaki (3-5) allowed three runs on three hits, five walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over four-plus innings to take the loss versus the Padres on Friday.

The five walks matched his season high. Sasaki has regressed heavily in recent starts, giving up 13 runs over his last 14 innings, including four home runs. The right-hander is now at a 4.88 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 72:30 K:BB over 72 innings through 14 starts. Sasaki's strikeout upside is a plus, as is a lineup that can often give him enough run support to cover up mistakes. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to be a rematch at home versus the Padres next week.

Kochanowicz's Tommy John surgery on his right elbow was deemed "successful," per MLB.com.

That's obviously good news for the right-handed hurler, who went under the knife in mid-June. Kochanowicz will be out for the remainder of this season and for at least a portion of 2027, though he could potentially return to action late in the campaign. He posted a 6.19 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 47:36 K:BB over 64 frames spanning 13 starts this season before being sidelined.

Buehler (5-3) allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to earn the win Friday over the Dodgers.

Buehler put a bow on an unexpectedly dominant June by limiting one of his former teams to a Mookie Betts solo home run in the second inning. Across five starts in June, Buehler never allowed more than one run in any game. He gave up five runs and posted a 27:8 K:BB across 26.1 innings. He has just three quality starts this season because he continues to struggle pitching deep enough into games to meet the requirements, but he has turned things around after a lackluster first month of the campaign. The right-hander is at a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 70:26 K:BB through 78 innings over 16 starts this season. Buehler's next start is projected to be on the road versus the Cubs.

Kikuchi (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, per MLB.com.

Kikuchi has so far been limited to playing catch, but that's tangible progress as he looks to work his way back from left shoulder inflammation. If the veteran hurler moves forward without any setbacks, he could rejoin the Angels' rotation after the All-Star break. Kikuchi posted a rough 5.81 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 31 innings spanning seven starts before landing on the injured list in early May.

The Cardinals will skip May's turn in the rotation Saturday against Miami while he manages back tightness, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

May has been dealing with lower-back tightness since tossing a complete-game shutout against the Padres on June 15, which may have played a factor in him getting roughed up for six-runs in a two-inning start versus Kansas City on Sunday. Delaying the 28-year-old's next appearance will give him extra time to heal and move Andre Pallante up a day to start Saturday on four days' rest.

Sandlin (2-1) earned the win against the Royals on Friday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six innings.

Making his first major-league appearance since June 7, Sandlin was spotted an early lead and rode it to his second career quality-start victory. In 19.1 innings with the White Sox, the 25-year-old owns a 6.05 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB. With Noah Schultz (knee) expected to reclaim his rotation spot next week, this was likely just a spot start for Sandlin.

Spence (0-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Friday, allowing 10 runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 1.1 innings.

Spence was recalled to handle bulk-relief duties due to Stephen Kolek being placed on the paternity list, and Spence was charged with 10 runs in a nightmare third inning. The 28-year-old has surrendered 22 earned runs in just 9.1 major-league innings this season and will likely be sent back to Triple-A Omaha upon Kolek's return.

Martinez (7-2) earned the win against the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Martinez surrendered a solo homer in the first inning but cruised from there, throwing 62 of 85 pitches for strikes and falling one out shy of a quality start. Other than a six-run blowup June 3, the 35-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 15 of 16 outings this season. He'll carry a 2.66 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB across 94.2 innings into a road matchup with the Royals next week.

Gallen (3-7) took the loss against the Rays on Friday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He did not record a strikeout.

Four of the five runs Gallen allowed came via the long ball, including a three-run homer off the bat of Junior Caminero in the first inning. While Gallen was able to work deep into the game, the 30-year-old generated just one swinging strike on 86 pitches and has now registered four or fewer strikeouts in six straight outings. He'll take a 6.15 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 52:27 K:BB across 86.1 innings this season into a home matchup with the Giants next week.