MLB Player News

DeSclafani (0-1) took the loss in Sunday's game against Kansas City, conceding four runs on four hits and no walks over four innings with six strikeouts.

The veteran right-hander tossed 60 pitches in this appearance, as he was called upon to make his first big-league start since July 18, 2023 when he was a Giant. DeSclafani allowed solo homers to Bobby Witt and Salvador Perez in the fourth before fading in the fifth, when he was charged with two additional earned runs. DeSclafani appeared to only be making a spot start in place of Zac Gallen on Sunday in order to give Gallen additional rest after he produced an ugly 6.29 ERA in 58.2 frames over his last 10 starts; however, given Gallen's unsteady performance, DeSclafani could garner additional rotation turns. The 35-year-old now sports a 6.08 ERA across 13.1 total innings this season largely because he's yielded five long balls, but he has also pitched to a solid 1.13 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB.

Nola (ankle, rib) threw a bullpen session prior to Sunday's series finale against the Reds, per MLB.com.

Nola came away with no issues and is expected to continue his throwing progression through the All-Star break in mid-July. The veteran right-hander is rehabbing from a sprained right ankle and subsequent stress fracture in his right rib, and he'll have been on the injured list for over two months by the time play resumes following the Midsummer Classic. Fantasy managers shouldn't anticipate having Nola available until sometime in early-to-mid August at this point, as the hurler will likely need to make a handful of minor-league rehab starts before rejoining Philadelphia's rotation.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said that Darvish (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Monday's contest against the Diamondbacks in San Diego, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Darvish will make his season debut after missing the entirety of the 2025 campaign to date while recovering from right elbow inflammation. Though he hasn't pitched in a competitive setting since making a rehab start at Triple-A El Paso on May 14, Darvish has been able to get stretched out recently through a series of simulated games. He tossed 64 pitches in his most recent sim game Tuesday, so he should be capable of providing the Padres with around 75-to-90 pitches in his season debut. Over his 16 starts with San Diego in 2024, Darvish posted an impressive 3.31 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 78 strikeouts over 81.2 innings.

Tovar (oblique) played five innings at shortstop and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in a rehab game with Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Tovar took part in his first game action in a month, after the Rockies placed him on the 10-day injured list June 6 due to a left oblique strain. According to Manny Randhawa of MLB.com, Tovar is scheduled to play again for Albuquerque on Sunday and Tuesday, but the Rockies haven't mapped out his rehab schedule beyond that. Depending on how he fares with Albuquerque over the next few days, Tovar could return from the IL in advance of the Rockies' final series before the All-Star break next weekend in Cincinnati.

Bryant (back) said that he will consult with a doctor over the phone Monday before visiting another specialist in Dallas soon thereafter to try "experimental treatments" for his degenerative disk disease, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Bryant said that he's been able to work out and do light hitting, but his back continues to respond poorly when he's attempted to run since getting an ablation procedure May 8. According to Bryant, the only other surgical method for his back would be a fusion procedure that would make it difficult to continue his playing career, so he's understandably looking into alternative treatment plans that would improve his chances of getting back on the field this season. Since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Rockies in March 2022, Bryant has played in just 128 of Colorado's 414 games while batting .244 with 17 home runs, 75 runs and 61 RBI over 712 plate appearances.

Blackburn (shoulder) played catch out to 75 feet Sunday, MLB.com reports.

After being placed on the injured list Thursday due to a right shoulder impingement, Blackburn was cleared to initiate a throwing program just three days later. Blackburn should have a chance at returning from the IL when first eligible shortly after the All-Star break, but he could be in store for a bullpen role upon his activation. The Mets currently have just three healthy rotation members, but Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow) both appear poised to return from the IL next weekend in Kansas City.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Winker (oblique) could return from the 60-day injured list when the Mets open their three-game series in Baltimore on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Winker has been on the shelf since May 4 due to a right oblique strain, but he looks ready to rejoin the big club after he went 4-for-12 with two home runs, one double and three walks across five rehab games with High-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. The 31-year-old didn't get any exposure to the corner outfield during his rehab assignment, and while DiComo relays that the Mets have no imminent plans to use him on defense upon his return, the left-handed-hitting Winker should see regular starts against right-handed pitching as the strong side of a platoon at designated hitter.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Senga (hamstring) is likely to return from the 15-day injured list next weekend and is expected to start either Friday or Saturday in Kansas City, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. "When he went down [with a right hamstring strain], in my head it was more like after the All-Star break," Mendoza said. "For him to be in play for us now before we go into the All-Star break, it's huge for us."

Before confirming which day Senga will return from the IL, the Mets will wait and see how he bounces back from the rehab start he made Saturday for Double-A Binghamton. The right-hander was charged with four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings, but the fact that he covered 68 pitches and experienced no complications with his hamstring is of greater importance than his results. Assuming he's given the green light to pitch this weekend, Senga shouldn't be operating with any significant restrictions in what would be his first start with the big club since June 12, though the Mets probably won't overextend him with the All-Star break looming.

Ramirez re-signed Sunday with the Pirates on minor-league contract.

After the Pirates granted him his release from his minor-league deal Friday, Ramirez was a free agent for two days before rejoining the organization on a new deal. The 30-year-old has yet to pitch in the majors this season but may not be far off a promotion after turning in a 3.29 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB in 27.1 innings with Indianapolis prior to his release.

Kolek was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Kolek will head to El Paso after posting a disappointing 6.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 20 punchouts over 26 innings in his last five starts. The cold stretch came on the heels of back-to-back scoreless outings for the right-hander, and he will now look to reset at Triple-A. The move made room for Kyle Hart to join the major-league roster, and Hart is expected to operate as the team's bulk reliever behind opener David Morgan against the Rangers on Sunday.