MLB Player News

The Cubs announced July 5 that Miller (elbow) has resumed a throwing program in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Chicago isn't completely ruling Miller out from returning from the 60-day injured list in September, but his main focus is getting back to full health for the start of the 2027 campaign after undergoing surgery last October to repair a torn right UCL and flexor tendon. Back in February, Miller signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Cubs that includes a club option for 2028.

Manager Craig Counsell said July 8 that Harvey (triceps/shoulder) has resumed a throwing program at the Cubs' facility in Arizona, but the right-hander remains without a clear timeline for a return from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Harvey initially landed on the injured list April 12 due to right triceps inflammation, then suffered a setback in early May, when he was diagnosed with a stress reaction near his triceps and shoulder. After an extended shutdown period, the 31-year-old is beginning to ramp up again, but the Cubs are likely to ease him along cautiously in his throwing program. He's likely at least a month away from rejoining the Chicago bullpen, and a clearer target date probably won't be available until he heads out on a rehab assignment.

Song went 3-for-3 with a double, two runs and two RBI in a 19-2 victory against Kansas City on Sunday.

Song didn't start the game, but he was called upon to pinch hit for Luis Campusano with the Padres up 8-2 in the eighth inning. The rookie singled in that plate appearance, then doubled and singled in the ninth as San Diego put up 11 runs over the final two frames. Song is slashing a healthy .281/.361/.438 with a home run, seven RBI, eight runs, five stolen bases and a 4:3 BB:K through 12 contests in July, but he's been losing playing time of late -- he's started just twice over the Padres' past six contests.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Brown (neck) has begun to increase his activity and has taken part in workouts with plyometric balls, MLB.com reports.

Counsell added that Brown is considered "asymptomatic" as he recovers from a stress reaction with his neck, an injury that sent him to the shelf June 24. Though Brown has seemingly made decent progress after being shut down from activity for a few weeks, the Cubs want him to proceed conservatively with his rehab program. He's without an official timeline for a return from the 15-day injured list, and the Cubs likely won't be able to pinpoint a target date for Brown until he starts throwing off a mound and facing hitters.

Rengifo went 3-for-5 with a walk and three runs scored Sunday in a 19-2 rout of the Royals.

Rengifo was one of six Padres with multiple hits in the runaway win, recording his first three knocks since joining San Diego. The utility man hasn't gotten many opportunities since his contract was selected July 8 -- Sunday was his first start and just his second appearance since that date. Despite some past success in the majors that includes a pair of double-digit homer seasons and a 24-theft campaign, Rengifo isn't likely to make waves in fantasy unless he begins to receive more playing time.

Vesia struck out all three batters he faced on 10 pitches in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Yankees.

Vesia entered in the seventh inning and got the job done emphatically, striking out Ben Rice, Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger -- all of whom have been in at least one All-Star Game -- on 10 pitches. Five of the lefty reliever's 10 strikes were whiffs, and the only ball he threw was on an 0-2 slider to Goldschmidt. Vesia has been dominant despite a touch of wildness over his past 16 appearances, posting a 0.75 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB over 12 innings during that span. He's been Los Angeles' top setup man this year, leading the club with 16 holds while adding three saves, one win, a 2.14 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and a 48:22 K:BB with no homers allowed across 33.2 frames spanning 44 outings.

Crisantes has been promoted from Double-A Amarillo to Triple-A Reno, Chase Ford of MiLB Central reports.

Crisantes earned the promotion after slashing an impressive .319/.413/.548 with five home runs and a 19:29 BB:K in 35 games with Amarillo. The 21-year-old has played second base exclusively this season, which lessens his chances of a promotion later this season since that's Ketel Marte's position with the big club.

Barco (elbow) struck out two and allowed two hits and two walks over three scoreless innings Saturday in an appearance for Triple-A Indianapolis after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list.

Barco had been on the shelf since June 20 due to left elbow inflammation but was cleared to rejoin Indianapolis after completing a 1.2-inning rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League over the All-Star break. The southpaw owns a 4.54 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 48:20 K:BB in 41.2 innings across 12 appearances (six starts) for Indianapolis on the season.

Holmes (fibula) is tentatively scheduled to make his first minor-league rehab start Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Holmes had been slated to begin his rehab assignment this past Saturday with High-A Brooklyn, but as a result of rainy conditions, he instead opted for a 45-pitch bullpen session. The right-hander will look to build on that pitch count Thursday, and if all goes well, he could make his return from the 60-day injured list as soon as July 28. Holmes likely won't be stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload immediately upon his activation, but the Mets may be eager to showcase him to potential suitors ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Rodriguez (undisclosed) struck out a batter over a perfect inning Friday after being reinstated from High-A Brooklyn's 7-day injured list.

The one-inning start marked Rodriguez's debut outing for Brooklyn, after he had been stashed on the affiliate's injured list throughout the season. The 23-year-old lefty has struggled mightily to stay healthy for extended periods throughout his professional career. Since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2022, Rodriguez has logged just 16.2 total innings in affiliated ball.