MLB Player News

Snell (shoulder) tossed four innings in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters.

Snell's third rehab outing was his longest to date -- he completed two frames in his first start and three innings in his second. The left-hander threw 58 pitches (38 strikes) Sunday, so he's getting closer to logging a starter's workload. Despite a long layoff (his most recent MLB outing was April 2), Snell has been very effective during his rehab stint, giving up just two runs while posting a 17:1 K:BB over nine innings. He could be back with the Dodgers before the end of July.

Pomeranz allowed three runs on two hits and a walk while retiring only one batter in Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Red Sox.

While fellow reliever Ryan Pressly was charged with the loss after allowing a go-ahead, two-run home run to Wilyer Abreu in the seventh inning, Pomeranz struggled to keep the Cubs within striking distance when he came on in the eighth. The lefty started his season by rattling off 26 straight appearances without allowing any earned runs, but he's now allowed five earned runs across his last three innings of work. Pomeranz still has a sparkling 1.71 ERA overall, though he is showing some signs of regression lately.

Kelly (9-5) earned the win Sunday against St. Louis, yielding two runs on three hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Despite issuing four free passes for the second consecutive outing, Kelly managed to notch his 12th quality start with this 97-pitch performance. The 36-year-old limited the Cardinals to just one extra-base hit, a Victor Scott double in the third that turned into the first run, as he made his sixth straight start allowing three or fewer runs. Kelly will make an attractive trade chip for Arizona at the upcoming deadline because he's pitched to a 2.79 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 115:30 K:BB across 113 innings since a nine-run disaster at the Yankees on April 3. The veteran righty currently lines up for a juicy matchup at Pittsburgh next weekend.

Pressly (2-3) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk across an inning of relief to take the loss Sunday against the Red Sox. He struck out two.

Pressly came into the contest having logged eight straight scoreless appearances, but a two-run home run by Wilyer Abreu in the seventh inning snapped that streak. The veteran reliever still has a solid 3.62 ERA overall, and since allowing eight earned runs in a nightmare outing back on May 6, he has a sparkling 1.48 ERA. Pressly is no longer closing games in Chicago due to the emergence of Daniel Palencia, though he's at least mostly gotten back on track following a rough start to the season.

Mikolas (5-7) suffered the loss Sunday at Arizona, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks over four innings with three strikeouts.

The veteran right-hander was the victim of two Eugenio Suarez homers, a three-run blast in the first and a solo shot in the third, as he conceded five or more runs for the third time in his last four outings. Mikolas has been in a tailspin over his last nine starts, going 1-5 with a 7.09 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 38:7 K:BB across 45.2 frames while yielding 14 long balls. Through 97 total innings, he's pitched to a 5.20 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 69:23 K:BB, making him unviable in virtually all fantasy leagues. He's currently slated to draw his next start against the Padres at home next weekend.

Sasaki (shoulder) has been reaching 90 mph with his fastball in recent bullpen sessions, per MLB.com.

Though Sasaki is capable of touching triple digits with his heater when he's fully ramped up, this update nonetheless indicates that the rookie right-hander is making progress in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement. Sasaki is said to be pain-free, though he's been throwing off a mound for only about a week and has yet to face live hitters, so he likely remains weeks away from a return. Should he continue to progress without any setbacks, Sasaki could be back with the Dodgers in late August.

Ray (9-4) took the loss Sunday against Toronto, allowing five runs on five hits and five walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

It was a tough outing for Ray, who gave up a season-high five runs while matching another season high with five walks. The veteran left-hander had been pitching well prior to the All-Star break, working to a 2.02 ERA in his previous four starts (26.2 innings). Overall, Ray sports a 2.92 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and 131 strikeouts through 21 starts (123.1 innings) this season. He'll look to get back on track his next time out, currently scheduled to come next week at home against the Mets.

Freeman (wrist) exited Sunday's contest against the Brewers in the sixth inning after being hit by a pitch, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Freeman was struck in the left wrist by an 88 mph sinker from Jose Quintana in the bottom of the sixth, immediately walking to the Dodgers' dugout and exiting the game as a result. The first baseman will likely undergo imaging on the wrist to determine the damage, and his status will be updated in the near future. In the meantime, Hyeseong Kim replaced Freeman in the contest Sunday.

Brasier will serve as the Cubs' opening pitcher Monday versus the Royals, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brasier will draw the sixth start of his MLB career in what will likely be a one- or two-inning appearance before he exits the game. The veteran righty has posted an impressive 1.04 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 17.1 innings in 18 appearances with the Cubs this season. According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com, the Cubs plan to recall Ben Brown from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, and he'll likely be deployed in bulk relief behind Brasier.

Alvarez is expected to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Alvarez will return to the major-league roster after being sent down to Syracuse on June 22. The catcher caught fire at Triple-A, batting .299 with 11 home runs, 24 RBI and 17 runs scored over 19 contests following his demotion. Alvarez will now compete with Luis Torrens for starts behind the plate with the Mets.