MLB Player News

Taillon (calf) will make his scheduled rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The right-hander was pummeled for seven earned runs across three innings in his last rehab start, but he will stay on schedule nonetheless. Depending on how he fares Friday, Taillon could jump back into the Cubs' rotation next week as the team kicks off a stretch of 14 games in 13 days.

Taillon (calf) will not make his scheduled rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

It's uncertain whether this is due to a setback, but that seems likely given the timing of the scratch. With recent trade acquisition Mike Soroka (shoulder) landing on the injured list, the Cubs could be forced to turn to Brad Keller, Ben Brown and/or Jordan Wicks for starts in the coming weeks.

Sale (ribs) will make his first rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Last year's NL Cy Young winner threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Thursday and is now ready to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment, which may consist of only two starts. Sale struggled out of the gate this season but was finding his form before he injured himself on an ill-fated dive attempt, posting a 0.86 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in six starts leading up to his placement on the IL in mid-June.

The Dodgers designated Baker for assignment Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Baker was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals on Monday, but his stint on the Dodgers' 40-man roster will come to an end after mere days. The 28-year-old Baker has struggled to find his footing in the majors, but he has multiple 30-homer seasons in the minors, and that power could attract another suitor.

The Dodgers called up Dean from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Dean will be replacing Esteury Ruiz on the bench, with Luken Baker cleared out to make room on the Dodgers' 40-man roster. The 28-year-old Dean will likely be used sparingly, although he figures to at least make his MLB debut in the coming days, which makes him a success story considering he was a 17th-round pick in 2018. Dean swiped a total of 61 bags last year between Atlanta's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.

Contreras (illness) is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

A stomach bug kept Contreras out for Wednesday's series finale against the Dodgers, but it would seem he's already moved past it. While he's just 1-for-11 in his career so far against Friday's starter, Matthew Boyd, Contreras has a .906 OPS against left-handed pitching for the season.

Murphy is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

Rookie Drake Baldwin will get another start behind the plate following his first career two-homer game Thursday. With Marcell Ozuna's bat coming alive again from the DH spot, Murphy may be squeezed out of the lineup more often moving forward.

The Marlins recalled Soriano from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Soriano has struggled to a 7.97 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 12 appearances with the big club this season, but he pitched well during his latest stint in Jacksonville, allowing just one earned run with an 11:2 K:BB in 9.2 innings since June 7. He replaces lefty Cade Gibson on the active roster and in the Miami bullpen.

The Marlins optioned Gibson to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Gibson has pitched well overall this season, but he gave up another run Thursday against Atlanta, marking his third straight appearance allowing at least one run. The lefty will be swapped out for a fresh arm in right-hander George Soriano, but Gibson figures to be on the short list to return the next time the Marlins need bullpen reinforcements.

Gasser (elbow) has been sent to Triple-A Nashville to continue his rehab assignment, the Brewers announced Friday.

Gasser has made four rehab appearances over the last few weeks, allowing two runs in six innings. He'll continue his assignment at Triple-A, seemingly the last step of his long recovery from Tommy John surgery. Gasser should be reinstated sometime in August, but it's unclear where he'll fit in Milwaukee's talented and deep pitching pool.