MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that McCullers (shoulder) has resumed throwing off a mound, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers is being eased along slowly in his throwing program after landing on the shelf May 19 due to right shoulder inflammation. He still looks to be multiple weeks away from a return, as he'll need to complete multiple bullpen sessions and face live hitters before being cleared to head out on what will most likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment. With both Hunter Brown (shoulder) and Cristian Javier (shoulder) poised to beat him back from the injured list, McCullers may not have a rotation spot waiting for him upon his activation. The 32-year-old righty struggled to a 6.86 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 39.1 innings in his eight starts before hitting the IL.

Javier (shoulder) didn't make a rehab start Sunday as planned after Triple-A Sugar Land had its game against Sacramento get postponed due to rain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros haven't revealed whether Javier will merely have his next rehab start pushed back a couple of days, or if he'll instead throw a simulated game to stay on schedule with his throwing. After retiring just two of the six batters he faced in his first rehab appearance with Double-A Corpus Christi on June 3, Javier was much more effective while shifting his assignment to Sugar Land for his second start last Tuesday. In that start, Javier struck out three over three perfect innings while tossing 44 pitches (29 strikes). He'll likely need to build up his pitch count to the 70-to-80 range before the Astros bring him back from the 60-day injured list.

Smith yielded eight runs (seven earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out five batters across 4.1 innings for Triple-A Charlotte in Saturday's 11-7 loss to Oklahoma City.

Back on Thursday, White Sox manager Will Venable told Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com that Smith was a candidate to be called up to start for the big club Saturday, but Chicago ultimately decided to wait until the following week to break in a new fifth starter. While Smith could still remain in the mix for a call-up, the rough showing against Oklahoma City might have tempered the White Sox's enthusiasm about promoting him. The 22-year-old lefty has generated an eye-popping 84 punchouts over 57 innings at Triple-A this season, but he's walked 15.9 percent of the batters he's faced and has surrendered eight home runs.

Culpepper exited early Saturday in Triple-A St. Paul's win over Toledo due to glute tightness, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old shortstop appears ready to make his big-league debut after having thus far produced a .273/.377/.498 slash line with 14 home runs and 15 steals over 61 games with St. Paul, but his first order of business will be recovering from the glute injury. Per Emily Waldon of Baseball America, the Twins don't view the issue as a major concern, as Culpepper is expected to avoid a stint on the 7-day injured list and return to the St. Paul lineup in 3-to-5 days.

Paredes will start Monday's game against the Rangers in Arlington, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Paredes made two long relief appearances for Minnesota before faring well in his abbreviated first major-league start last week in Detroit, striking out four over three innings of one-run ball. The 25-year-old had made seven starts and two relief appearances with Triple-A St. Paul this season, posting a 3.38 ERA and 33:8 K:BB over 34.2 innings. Paredes hasn't thrown more than 68 pitches in an appearance at any level this season, so he's unlikely to pitch deep into Monday's contest.

Foscue started at second base and went 3-for-3 with a run scored in Sunday's 6-4 win over Boston.

After a period of limited activity, Foscue found himself in the starting lineup for a second consecutive game. Ezequiel Duran has been the primary second baseman, but he was needed at shortstop to cover for the injured Corey Seager (ribs/jaw), who has been sidelined for three straight games and is dealing with concussion symptoms. Both of Foscue's starts have come against lefties, and he is expected to be replaced by Nicky Lopez against right-handers.

Grissom (oblique) began a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday, going 2-for-5 with and RBI and a run scored.

Grissom just went on the 10-day injured list one week ago with a left oblique strain, so it's been a quick turnaround for the 25-year-old. He's eligible for activation Monday, and Grissom could be ready to rejoin the Angels' active roster for their road trip which begins Monday in Arizona.

The Royals optioned Morgan to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Morgan made one scoreless appearance during this most recent stint in the Royals' bullpen. His spot on the roster is poised to be filled by Mitch Spence, who will be summoned from Omaha to start Monday's game versus the Nationals.

The Royals list Spence as their scheduled starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Nationals.

Kansas City will officially recall Spence from Triple-A Omaha prior to Monday's game, with the right-hander set to enter the rotation as a replacement for Seth Lugo (concussion). The 28-year-old Spence has had a rough 2026 campaign, getting torched for six runs over four innings in his lone appearance in the majors and posting a 6.54 ERA in 10 starts at Triple-A Omaha. Nevertheless, with Lugo, Cole Ragans (elbow) and Kris Bubic (elbow/shoulder) all facing uncertain timetables to return from the injured list, Spence has a chance to stick around with the big club beyond Monday.

Dominguez earned the save in Sunday's 6-4 win against the Dodgers, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out two over one inning.

Dominguez was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and ultimately got the job done despite some late drama. The right-hander worked around two walks and an RBI double before recording the final outs to secure his 12th save of the season. It was Dominguez's first save since May 25, after which he posted five scoreless appearances and allowed just two baserunners total since. He now owns a 3.81 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 31:15 K:BB across 26 innings this year.