MLB Player News

Turnbull (neck) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

On the heels of another successful bullpen session Wednesday, Turnbull will advance to facing live hitters. He would appear to be closing in on a rehab assignment after needing a 60-day IL stint because of a neck issue, following a lost 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. Turnbull has struggled to a 7.26 ERA this season, but he's shown that he can be effective when healthy and the Tigers will presumably give him another chance to prove himself in the starting rotation.

Gilbert isn't projected to make a start this weekend against the Tigers, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Luis Castillo and George Kirby are confirmed for the first two games coming out of the All-Star break, and manager Scott Servais said the team will "likely" go with Bryce Miller (blister) on Sunday. In that case, Gilbert would be pushed back to make his first start of the second half Monday, at home against the Twins, followed by a second home start next weekend against the Blue Jays. Gilbert has posted a 3.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB over his last seven starts (44.1 innings).

Miller (finger) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday against the Tigers, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Miller hasn't pitched since June 30 after developing a blister on his right middle finger, but he'll end up returning from the IL in the minimum 15 days. Given the relative brevity of his absence, Miller shouldn't face any major workload restrictions in his return to the mound. The rookie has compiled a 5-3 record, 3.97 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 59 innings through his first 11 big-league starts.

Kluber (shoulder) is trending toward making his first rehab appearance July 21, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

He has been throwing bullpen sessions and has not pitched in a game since June 20. If he needs two rehab outings, Kluber could return by July 31. He had a 9.45 ERA and 1.95 WHIP in six June relief appearances.

Sale (shoulder) will throw his first bullpen session Tuesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

This will mark his first time throwing off a mound since he got injured June 1. Sale has been throwing off flat ground every other day and is tracking toward a possible return in early August.

Whitlock (elbow) hasn't yet resumed throwing, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock landed on the injured list July 4 with a bone bruise in his right elbow. He's slated for bullpen sessions Monday and Tuesday, after which a clearer picture regarding his return timeline should emerge.

Kelly (calf) will throw a 75-pitch simulated game Saturday, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

The 34-year-old righty has been on the shelf since late June with right calf inflammation and will seemingly skip a rehab assignment on his way back to Arizona's rotation. If everything goes well during Kelly's sim game, he could rejoin the rotation as soon as July 20 in Atlanta.

Allen is expected to be called up from Triple-A Columbus to start Tuesday against the Pirates, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

With Shane Bieber (forearm) likely joining Cal Quantrill and Triston McKenzie on the injured list, Allen should have a secure rotation spot for the foreseeable future. The young southpaw had a 4.76 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 22.2 innings over his five most recent MLB starts.

Senzatala (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

He landed on the injured list May 12 with a sprained UCL. Senzatela will finish the year with a 4.70 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 7.2 innings over just two starts. The 28-year-old righty will likely be held out until at least late 2024.

Bieber is getting an MRI on his forearm and will not make a start this turn through the rotation, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

This is ominous news, as Bieber had been tentatively scheduled to start Monday but can now be considered out indefinitely. Manager Terry Francona said Bieber's forearm has been irritable the last few weeks and he has struggled to bounce back from his last three or four starts, which is why his pitch count has been lower. Logan Allen will start Tuesday in Pittsburgh and the plan is to do a bullpen game Monday.