MLB Player News

Snell (elbow) began playing catch Friday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Snell still has a lot of work to do before coming off the injured list, but it's an encouraging sign that he's been cleared to throw roughly two weeks after undergoing surgery on his elbow. A clearer timeline for his return will begin to emerge as he checks off boxes during his throwing program, though he won't be eligible for activation until after the All-Star break.

White was diagnosed with a left shoulder capsular sprain Friday and is expected to miss the rest of the season, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

The timeline for White's return is 12-to-16 weeks, and although that still leaves room for him to potentially return in September, the more likely outcome is that the Marlins simply shut him down for the year. The 21-year-old southpaw is considered to be one of the top pitching prospects in Miami's farm system, and he'll likely finish the Triple-A season with a 4.34 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB over 18.2 innings.

Cabrera (3-3) took the loss Friday as the Cubs were routed 18-3 by the Giants, surrendering eight runs on eight hits -- including three home runs -- and one walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out six.

Activated from the IL earlier in the day after being sidelined since May 20 due to a blister issue, Cabrera ran into a buzzsaw in his worst performance of the season. The right-hander served up a two-run homer to Willy Adames in the first inning before things completely fell apart in the fourth, an inning highlighted by a grand slam from Matt Chapman. Cabrera got the hook after 80 pitches (49 strikes), and he'll carry a 4.99 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB through 57.2 innings into his next outing, which is set to come on the road next week in Colorado.

The Angels selected Natera's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Natera has pitched well out of the bullpen in Triple-A, where he has a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB across 30 innings. He'll now get a shot with the Angels, and Natera's first call to the mound will officially be his major-league debut. The move corresponds with the Angels designating right-hander Shaun Anderson for assignment.

Ray (4-6) picked up the win Friday, allowing two hits and five walks over five scoreless innings in an 18-3 rout of the Cubs. He struck out four.

The veteran lefty had a little trouble finding the plate, tossing just 57 of 97 pitches for strikes, but Chicago hitters managed only two singles off Ray when he did get the ball into the zone, and his offense gave him a month's worth of run support in one afternoon. It's the first time since May 8 that Ray has lasted at least five innings in a start, and he'll take a 4.12 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 63:36 K:BB over 67.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Nationals.

Kremer (quadriceps) threw a live bullpen session earlier in the week, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz noted Friday that Kremer has been progressing well in his recovery from a right quadriceps strain that landed the right-hander on the 15-day injured list in late April. He was transferred to the 60-day IL last Friday, and depending on when he embarks on a rehab assignment, Kremer could be back with the big club in mid-to-late June. Prior to his injury, Kremer had a 4.09 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 11 innings.

Bassitt (back) is travelling to rejoin the Orioles in Toronto on Friday and could make his next start Monday against the Mariners, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Bassitt was pulled from his last start Thursday against the Red Sox due to lower-back tightness. He was initially held back in Baltimore to have his injury examined, but it looks like the veteran right-hander will not miss a start in the rotation, barring any setbacks. Over his last five starts, Bassitt has a 4.44 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB across 24.1 innings.

Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Friday that the team is weighing its options on whether Brown (shoulder) will need one more rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 60-day injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brown made his third rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Sugar Land, when he tossed 57 pitches (38 strikes) and allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.1 innings. Espada relayed that he felt good about Brown's latest rehab outing, and a decision about whether the 27-year-old right-hander will make his next start in the majors should be made within the next couple of days. Brown is nearly fully recovered from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain that was severe enough for him to be placed on the IL in early April.

Manager John Schneider said Friday that Cease (hamstring) is "very likely" to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation next week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Cease threw 75 pitches across four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday and came out of it feeling good. He appears likely to make the start for Toronto on Tuesday at home against the Phillies. The right-hander last pitched for the Blue Jays on May 24 and owns a 3.05 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 92:26 K:BB across 62 innings this season.

The Red Sox optioned Bello to Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

The move opens up a spot on the 26-man roster for trade pickup Joe La Sorsa, who was acquired from the Pirates earlier in the week. Bello has been hammered for a 6.34 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and an American League-high 43 earned runs across 61 innings this season. He'll try to figure things out in the minors.