MLB Player News

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Whitlock (elbow) is on track to return from the injured list Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock pitched well in his rehab debut Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester, striking out three of the nine batters he faced over 2.1 scoreless frames. Out since early July due to a bone bruise in his right elbow, the 27-year-old is expected to operate as a multi-inning reliever down the stretch. He could happen into some wins and a save or two in that role.

Lorenzen's next start is expected to be next Friday in Washington, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After tossing a no-hitter and notching his name into the history books Wednesday against the Nationals, Lorenzen will get some added rest between starts. He racked up 124 pitches to complete the no-hitter, so the 31-year-old will get eight days of rest. The Phillies had been operating with a six-man rotation, but it's unclear if they will stick with that the next time through, as they have two off days next week. Regardless, Lorenzen will stay in the mix next weekend while facing the same team he just tossed a no-hitter against, although this time it will be a road matchup against the Nationals.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale (shoulder) will be limited to around four innings in his return to the rotation Friday versus the Tigers, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Sale has been out since early June due to a stress reaction in his left scapula and threw only 35 and 54 pitches, respectively, in his two rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester. He looked sharp during that stint on the farm, though, tallying 10 strikeouts across 6.1 scoreless frames. The 34-year-old southpaw will have to continue building up on the fly, but he can maybe help Boston attempt to stage a late charge in the AL Wild Card standings.

Olson (2-5) earned the win Thursday, allowing two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings against Minnesota. He struck out eight.

The rookie right-hander turned in the best start of his young career, outdueling opposing starter Kenta Maeda to earn the victory. Olson had been mired in mediocrity in his previous four starts since rejoining Detroit's rotation July 16, going 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 21.1 innings during that stretch. The 24-year-old currently lines up for a rematch versus Minnesota next week.

GM Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Gonzales (forearm), who was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list, is running out of time to pitch again in 2023, the team's official site reports.

Per Hollander, the nerve issue that led to Gonzales' initial placement on the IL back on June 3 persists, and that's preventing the left-hander from beginning any type of ramp-up activity. Hollander remarked "the clock is ticking on that" when asked about Gonzales' chances of returning this season, noting the veteran would need an extensive amount of time to build his arm strength back up once he's finally cleared to begin a throwing program.

Rodon (hamstring) threw from flat ground Wednesday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Rodon was placed on the IL on Monday due to a low-grade left hamstring strain, but the Yankees indicated at the time that he would continue throwing. That plan has come to fruition, as the left-hander played catch Wednesday in Chicago. The initial indication is that Rodon could need just a minimum stay on the injured list, which would put hit in line to return for a home series against Washington that begins Aug. 22.

The Yankees are expected to recall Vasquez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start Friday in Miami, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The team hasn't announced anything yet, but it has an opening in the rotation Friday and Vasquez is on turn. Vasquez holds a 1.17 ERA in three starts with the Yanks this season, although that's come with a 10:7 K:BB over 15.1 innings. If the 24-year-old pitches well Friday, he would seem to have a good shot to remain in the rotation at the expense of the struggling Luis Severino.

Stripling is not among the Giants' listed starters for their three-game weekend series against the Rangers but is expected to work in bulk relief Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants haven't specified their plans for Stripling, but with lefty Scott Alexander slated to open Friday's contest, the 32-year-old right-hander will presumably slot in behind him to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen. After signing a two-year, $25 million contract with San Francisco over the winter, Stripling has struggled to a 5.21 ERA through 67.1 innings (11 starts, six relief appearances) this season.

Keuchel is scheduled to start Friday's game in Philadelphia.

The veteran southpaw will get at least one more turn through the Twins rotation while Joe Ryan (groin) remains on the 15-day injured list. In his Twins debut last Sunday versus the Diamondbacks, Keuchel failed to strike out a batter over five innings, but he allowed just one run on eight hits and two walks.

Musgrove (shoulder) is expected to begin playing catch around Aug. 24, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove is entering the second week of a three-week shutdown period that followed his Aug. 4 placement on the injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder capsule. The best-case scenario is that he returns to the Padres' rotation in mid-September, but he'll have to avoid even minor setbacks. It should also be noted that San Diego is currently at risk of falling out of NL Wild Card contention, which could affect the motivation here.