MLB Player News

Wacha (shoulder) has resumed playing catch, but Padres manager Bob Melvin said the hurler is unlikely to return from the 15-day injured list before the end of July, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Wacha is expected to throw on flat ground a few more times before getting on a mound, and he may need a rehab assignment after that since he hasn't pitched in a game since July 1. The right-hander had his turn skipped in the rotation prior to that July 1 start due to the same shoulder issue that resulted in his placement on the IL, so he's thrown from a mound just once over the past month. Melvin mentioned the Padres' intention to extend the pitcher's return timeframe in order to ensure that they "get a healthy Michael Wacha."

Marsh (0-4) yielded five earned runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings Friday in a loss to the Yankees. He struck out three.

Marsh surrendered homers to Franchy Cordero, Billy McKinney and Gleyber Torres while taking his fourth loss in four major-league starts. He posted excellent numbers at Triple-A and racked up 11 strikeouts last week against the Rays, but the 25-year-old right-hander holds a 6.20 ERA with Kansas City and is far too risky of a fantasy play in most formats. He is scheduled to pitch at Cleveland next.

Schmidt (6-6) allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk over 5.2 innings Friday in the Yankees' win over the Royals. He struck out two.

Schmidt got himself into trouble in what became a three-run fourth inning for Kansas City, but he bounced back and stuck around long enough to quality for the win. Working as a locked-in member of the Yankees' major-league rotation for the first time in his career, the 27-year-old holds a 4.33 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 97:28 K:BB through 99.2 frames this season. He lines up to face the division-rival Orioles in Baltimore next time out.

Garrett (5-3) surrendered six earned runs on seven hits and no walks over three innings Friday in a loss to the Rockies. He struck out five.

Garrett served up homers in each frame -- to C.J. Cron in the first, Jurickson Profar in the second and Elias Diaz in the third -- and he also surrendered a double to Alan Trejo. Pulled from the game before the top of the fourth, Garrett wound up with his shortest start of the season. The 25-year-old southpaw will carry a 4.32 ERA and 1.19 WHIP into his next outing at home against the Tigers.

Kershaw (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game Monday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw threw a successful 40-pitch bullpen session Friday and is now ready to take the next step in his recovery from the left shoulder inflammation that sent him to the IL in early July. He could return to the Los Angeles rotation sometime in early August.

Ryu (elbow) allowed two earned runs over six innings for Triple-A Buffalo in his fourth rehab start Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Ryu yielded only three hits and one walk while recording five strikeouts in the 85-pitch outing. He averaged 88.4 mph with his fastball but touched 90.8 mph at one point. Now more than 13 months removed from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, the veteran left-hander could join the Blue Jays' starting rotation as early as next week.

Fried (forearm) allowed three earned runs over 3.1 innings in his third rehab start Friday at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Fried surrendered six hits -- including two homers -- but he tallied five strikeouts without issuing a walk and ran his pitch count up to 65. On the shelf since early May because of a left forearm strain, the 29-year-old could potentially return to Atlanta's starting rotation next week in Boston. He had registered a sharp 2.08 ERA and 25:6 K:BB through 26 innings (five starts) for the NL East leaders prior to this lengthy IL stint.

Kluber (shoulder) tossed two scoreless innings in his rehab debut Friday with Double-A Portland.

Kluber entered the game out of the bullpen but got his pitch count up to 35 while scattering one hit with no walks and one strikeout. It's unclear at this point whether the Red Sox plan to bring him back as a starter or reliever. He's been on the shelf since June 21 due to right shoulder inflammation.

Steele (10-3) earned the win Friday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over 6.1 innings in a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out nine.

Steele bounced back with a season-high nine strikeouts and submitted his 12th quality start of the year Friday after giving up a season-high six runs to Boston last time out. The left-hander's command has really stood out in 2023, as he's walked one or fewer batters in 14 of his 18 starts and holds a 96:21 K:BB through 103.2 innings. Steele will look to make it back-to-back wins during his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for a rematch against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

Keuchel did not exercise the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Twins on Friday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

There could be a second opt-out date in the deal, but Keuchel will remain part of the Twins organization for the time being. The veteran left-hander has pitched well at Triple-A St. Paul, registering a 0.90 ERA and 17:8 K:BB in four starts covering 20 innings, but he hasn't had much success in the majors since 2020.