MLB Player News

Thompson (lat) said Friday that he's hoping to resume a throwing program within the next "week or two," Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Thompson resumed throwing in June following a setback with his left lat in May, but evidently he suffered another setback that has limited him to a strengthening program. The left-hander admitted Friday that he's still feeling discomfort, so a resumption of his throwing program by early August doesn't seem to be a given. Thompson has been sidelined all season with a high-grade left lat strain.

Doval allowed two earned runs on three hits while hitting one batter and striking out three across one inning in Friday's 8-1 defeat to the Mets.

Doval entered the game in the ninth inning, hitting the first batter he faced before striking out the next two. However, the right-hander then surrendered a ground-rule double and threw a wild pitch, allowing a run to score before giving up an RBI single. The 28-year-old has made seven appearances this month, posting a 5.63 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB with two saves and one blown save across eight innings during that span.

Lee went 2-for-4 with a double in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Mets.

Lee doubled to left field in the sixth inning, marking his second two-bagger in his last four outings. The 26-year-old outfielder has delivered two multi-hit performances during that span, slashing .278/.316/.389 with an RBI, a run scored and a 1:1 BB:K across 19 plate appearances. Overall, he's now slashing .249/.314/.397 with 50 runs scored, 41 RBI, 35 extra-base hits -- including six home runs -- and a 10.9 percent strikeout rate over 411 plate appearances this season.

The Phillies designated Cusick for assignment Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Cusick will surrender his spot on the Phillies' 40-man roster to make room for Brewer Hicklen, who was acquired from Detroit on Saturday. Cusick, 25, owns an 8.34 ERA and 1.94 WHIP through 22.2 innings in Triple-A this season, making it likely he clears waivers.

The Tigers traded Hicklen to the Phillies on Saturday in exchange for cash, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The 29-year-old lost his place on Detroit's 40-man roster Wednesday to make room for Troy Melton, but Hicklen will reclaim a 40-man roster spot with his new club. He'll remain in Triple-A, however, where he's slashed .227/.335/.394 across 254 plate appearances.

Nola (ankle/rib) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Nola began facing live hitters last Saturday, and the plan is for him to build up to around 60 pitches during his return to game action Thursday. The 32-year-old righty has been on the IL since late May, so he'll almost certainly require an additional start or two beyond Thursday before rejoining Philadelphia's rotation.

Manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that Castellanos jammed his left knee against the outfield wall Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The Phillies' skipper noted that Castellanos is considered day-to-day, so although the outfielder will sit out Saturday's contest, his injury doesn't seem to be too severe. Johan Rojas will enter the lineup while Castellanos recovers.

Crews (oblique) continues to work out with the Nationals and take simulated at-bats in a batting cage, but the team is holding off on sending him on a rehab assignment for now, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The young outfielder has been out since May 20 due to an oblique strain, and with Washington well out of playoff contention, there's no rush to get Crews back in the lineup. Given the length of his layoff, he may need more than a few days on a rehab stint, but a return from the 60-day injured list in early August remains plausible.

Gilbert went 3-for-4 with a double, two home runs, three runs scored and four RBI for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

The 2022 first-round pick has had a disappointing season overall in his second crack at Triple-A pitching, and his prospect stock has drooped accordingly. Gilbert may finally be getting the hang of the level, however -- he's racked up at least three hits in three of his last eight games, and through 17 contests in July he's slashing .338/.403/.723 with 12 extra-base hits, including six of his 12 homers on the year, and a sharp 11.1 percent strikeout rate against a 5.6 percent walk rate. The 24-year-old could be an option for the Mets later in the season if he stays locked in at the plate, and if the team doesn't bring in an established center fielder at the trade deadline.

Simpson (2-0) picked up the win Friday over the Brewers, striking out one in a perfect sixth inning.

The 27-year-old southpaw has emerged as a strong option in the Marlins' bullpen since his rough big-league debut June 21 against Atlanta. Over his last 10 appearances and 11 innings, Simpson has posted a 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB while recording two wins and a hold.