MLB Player News

Bieber (elbow) is expected to progress to live batting practice sessions this week, MLB.com reports.

Bieber threw bullpen sessions Tuesday, Thursday and Friday without issue, and the right-hander is ready for the next step in his recovery. He's aiming to make his season debut at some point after the All-Star break, but a July return is beginning to seem optimistic.

Senzatela (3-11) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against the Brewers. He struck out two.

Senzatela's two-game winning streak came to an end Saturday, marking the 10th time this season he's failed to pitch at least five innings. While June has still been rough -- he's posted a 5.56 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over 22.2 innings in five starts -- it represents a step forward from May, when the right-hander recorded a 9.10 ERA and 2.09 WHIP across 28.2 innings in six outings.

Feltner (back) allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits and four walks while striking out three batters over 3.2 innings in the third start of his rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Albuquerque.

Feltner built up to 66 pitches in the outing, but he struggled with both his command and control. The right-hander is expected to make one more rehab start before making his return from the 60-day injured list shortly before the All-Star break, per MLB.com reports.

Faedo (shoulder) started a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Faedo attempted to return in early May but experienced shoulder soreness. He's now ramping up again, throwing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts Friday.

Arrighetti (thumb) completed another bullpen session Friday, his second since landing on the injured list April 8, MLB.com reports.

The team didn't provide any further details about the session, but it's a significant step forward in Arrighetti's recovery. He's without a definitive target date for a return from the IL, though if Arrighetti remains free of setbacks as he makes his way through his throwing program, he could be ready to rejoin the Houston rotation shortly after the All-Star break.

Garcia (elbow) has begun throwing live batting practice sessions at Houston's spring training complex in Florida, MLB.com reports.

Garcia has thrown several bullpen sessions since early June and is now able to take the next step in his recovery. He could embark on a rehab assignment shortly, with the aim of returning in late July or early August.

McCullers (1-3) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing eight runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out one batter over 3.1 innings.

McCullers came off the 15-day IL on Saturday after recovering from a right foot sprain, but he didn't pitch well against a tough Chicago offense. The right-hander walked in a run in the first inning, and after tossing perfect second and third frames, things really fell apart for him in the fourth. The Cubs put seven straight runners on base against McCullers in that inning, and their six hits included three homers and a triple. It was the first time this season that the veteran hurler has given up more than one home run in an outing, and Saturday's start was also his second shortest of the campaign. Discarding two bad blow-ups this season, McCullers has a 2.79 ERA over six starts spanning 29 frames. However, those meltdowns have been really bad -- combined, he's allowed 15 runs across 3.2 innings in that pair of starts. As a result, his season ERA stands at an ugly 6.61.

Rea (5-3) earned the win over Houston on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two batters over five innings.

Rea was pounded for four homers and seven runs in his previous start, but he gave up a much more palatable one homer and two runs Saturday. While he notched just three whiffs and one punchout, the right-hander didn't issue a free pass and took advantage of ample run support to snap a streak of four straight winless starts. This was presumably Rea's final appearance in June, and the month was certainly a mixed bag for him -- he gave up two or fewer runs in three of his five outings, but in his other two starts he was tagged for a combined 11 runs over 9.2 frames.

Soroka allowed one run on two hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out five over six innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

Soroka allowed two of those baserunners in the second inning and gave up his lone run on a double-play grounder. This was one of Soroka's better starts of the season -- it was his fourth quality start of the year and the first time in his last four outings he's issued just one free pass. He's winless in that stretch with 11 runs allowed over 22.1 innings, but he's kept the ball in the yard over his last two starts. Soroka is at a 4.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 64:15 K:BB through 59.1 innings through 11 outings this season. The right-hander is lined up for a home start versus the Red Sox in his next outing.

Cecconi allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five batters over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Saturday.

Cecconi served up a leadoff homer to Brendan Donovan in the first inning but then settled down and held a 6-1 lead entering the fifth. The right-hander got two quick outs in that frame, but he then gave up a walk, a double and a two-run single and was subsequently given the hook. It was just the second time in eight starts this season that Cecconi hasn't completed five innings, and the outing marked the first time through five appearances in June that he's given up more than two earned runs. The 26-year-old missed the first part of the season due to an oblique strain, but he's been fairly effective since making his season debut May 17, posting a 3.64 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with a 42:14 K:BB over 42 frames.