MLB Player News

Lopez (shoulder) recently resumed playing catch but remains without a timeline to return from the 60-day injured list, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander underwent arthroscopic surgery April 1 and was cleared to start throwing again after the All-Star break, but he remains in the early stages of his rehab program. Lopez still appears to have a shot at returning before the end of the season, but if he doesn't advance to throwing off a mound within the next week or two, he likely won't have enough time to get stretched back out for a starting role. Pitching out of the bullpen in September could be an option, however.

Sale (ribs) threw a bullpen session Monday and is expected to face hitters soon in live batting practice, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Sale is just over two weeks away from being eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list, but Atlanta has little reason to rush him back onto the mound. The left-hander has been sidelined since mid-June with a fractured left ribcage. Because Sale has missed so much time, he's likely to make at least one rehab start before rejoining the rotation.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Monday that Holmes has elected to treat his right elbow injury with rest and rehab rather than undergoing Tommy John surgery or another procedure, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Holmes has been diagnosed with damage to his UCL, but after weighing opinions from two doctors, he'll attempt to recover from the injury through non-surgical methods. Atlanta doesn't have a timeline for when Holmes will begin a throwing program, but if he hasn't shown enough progress early in the offseason, surgery would still be an option. Per O'Brien, even in the best-case scenario, Holmes won't be back on a mound until spring training.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Blackburn (shoulder) will make another rehab start Friday, Joe Pantorno of amNY.com reports.

Blackburn looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list, having collected a 2.21 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB in 20.1 innings over four rehab starts. However, the Mets aren't ready to remove Frankie Montas from the rotation at this point, so they'll kick the can down the road and have Blackburn make another rehab start. Blackburn has been out since early July with a right shoulder impingement.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that the team is considering using an opener ahead of Montas in his next scheduled turn through the rotation Saturday versus the Brewers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Montas' issues aren't exclusive to the first inning, but he has a 6.43 ERA and opponents have slashed .333/.379/.667 against him in the opening frame this season. The Mets will mull using the right-hander in a bulk-relief role this weekend as they seek to get him on track. Montas has posted a 6.68 ERA and 29:10 K:BB over 33.2 innings covering seven starts this season.

Blubaugh has joined the Astros' taxi squad in Miami and could be recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros don't have starting pitchers listed for Tuesday's or Wednesday's games versus the Marlins, although Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start one of those contests. Blubaugh is an option to start the other game, or he could be bullpen protection for Arrighetti, who will be making his first start in the majors since April. In one spot start with Houston earlier this season, Blubaugh allowed two runs with six strikeouts over four frames.

McCullers (finger) threw a four-inning simulated game Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

While McCullers is already stretched out to four innings, Astros manager Joe Espada indicated Sunday that the righty will throw 1-to-2 more times off a mound and could require a rehab assignment before rejoining the rotation. Espada's comments suggest that McCullers -- who is working his way back from a blister -- probably won't be back with the big club until at least mid-August.

The Pirates activated Oviedo (lat/elbow) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus the Giants.

Oviedo will make his 2025 debut for the Pirates after he missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and the first four months of this season while working his way back from a right lat strain. The right-hander threw 62 pitches in his final rehab start last Tuesday, so he'll face some workload restrictions against the Giants.

Perez (elbow) struck out three batters and allowed two earned runs on four hits and no walks over 2.2 innings in his rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Charlotte.

The veteran southpaw took part in his first game action since April 18, after he was diagnosed with a left flexor tendon strain and shut down for an extended period before he resumed throwing in late June. Perez made enough progress in his throwing program to kick off his rehab assignment over the weekend, and he shouldered a healthy workload Sunday, tossing 47 pitches (32 strikes). He's likely to require at least three more rehab starts before he makes his return to the White Sox rotation in late August or early September.

The Orioles activated Povich (hip) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Povich will start Monday's game in Philadelphia after being sidelined mid-June with hip inflammation. The left-hander got his pitch count up to 86 in his final rehab outing with Triple-A Norfolk this past Tuesday, so he should be able to handle a relatively normal workload against the Phillies.