MLB Player News

Kikuchi (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's slated to begin a throwing program soon and expressed hope that he'll be able to return to the Angels early in the second half of the season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Kikuchi has been shut down from throwing since he landed on the 15-day IL due to left shoulder inflammation May 3. The veteran lefty explained through an interpreter Wednesday that surgery was never on the table and that "the damage wasn't major." Kikuchi also stated that he's been doing shoulder strengthening exercises and is preparing to be cleared to play catch. He's almost certain to need a lengthy buildup and a substantial minor-league rehab assignment, though he expressed confidence that he'll be able to be back in the Angels' rotation before the end of July.

Stewart (foot) has started a throwing program, per MLB.com.

Stewart made his season debut May 6 after recovering from a shoulder injury. However, he landed on the 15-day IL three days later due to a bone spur in his left foot. Stewart was given a three-week timeline by manager Dave Roberts after he landed on the shelf, and that still appears to be in play given the reliever's recent return to throwing.

Waldron (forearm) could take on a bullpen role when he returns from the 15-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Waldron landed on the IL last Friday due to a right brachialis muscle injury. He had initially been slated to be designated for assignment, as Waldron lost hold of his spot in the rotation after Lucas Giolito was cleared to make his team debut. If Waldron remains with the club after he gets healthy, he'll likely be asked to work out of the bullpen, barring injuries to other starters reopening a spot in the rotation. Over six appearances (three starts) with San Diego so far in 2026, Waldron has posted a 8.49 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 23.1 innings.

Marquez (forearm) has progressed to throwing off a mound, per MLB.com.

Marquez landed on the 15-day injured list May 3 due to right forearm nerve irritation. He resumed throwing in mid-May and has since been able to return to mound work. If he continues to progress without any setbacks, Marquez could be back with San Diego sometime in June, though he'll likely need a minor-league rehab stint before being activated.

Campusano (toe) has progressed to swinging in the batting cage and catching off a pitching machine, per MLB.com.

Campusano is dealing with a small fracture in his toe that he sustained when he fouled a ball off his foot May 5. The backstop seems to have made significant progress in recent days, though he'll presumably need to get in a minor-league rehab stint before he's activated off the IL. It's possible that Campusano will make it back to the Padres before the end of May, but an early June return seems more likely.

Schanuel went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in an extra-inning loss to the Athletics on Thursday.

Schanuel helped the Angels get off to a promising beginning with a two-run homer to right field in the first inning. However, that ended up being the team's only runs -- and the first baseman's only hit -- in the contest. Schanuel surprised when he went deep twice in his first three games of the campaign, but he's since hit just two long balls over 44 contests, with Thursday's home run snapping a 23-game homerless stretch. He ranks in the bottom 10 percent leaguewide in barrel rate and bat speed, so there's no reason to believe he'll suddenly morph into a power hitter.

Gelof went 0-for-5 with a run, an RBI and two stolen bases Thursday in a 3-2, extra-inning win over the Angels.

Gelof made a big real-life and fantasy impact despite finishing without a hit. He reached on a fielder's choice in the seventh inning and stole second base before coming around to score. Gelof later plated the game-winning run with an RBI on a groundout in the 10th, and he subsequently swiped another bag. He's stolen four bases in his past five games and is up to six thefts on the campaign to go along with six homers, 19 runs, 17 RBI and a .255/.305/.480 slash line through 112 plate appearances.

Leiter earned a save against the Angels on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless 10th inning.

The game went into an extra frame, and after the A's managed a run in the top of the 10th, Leiter was called upon to close things out. He got into trouble when Jo Adell hit a leadoff single to put runners at first and third with no outs, but Leiter got out of the jam with a strikeout and double-play grounder. The save was Leiter's fourth of the campaign, tying his career-best mark. He's now tied with Joel Kuhnel and Hogan Harris for the most saves on the squad, while Jack Perkins is right in the mix with three saves. Harris is probably the most desirable Athletics reliever for fantasy managers to roster since he had notched the team's past three saves coming into Thursday, but this committee hasn't been very stable in the early stages of the season.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with two RBI on Thursday against the Cardinals.

Ozuna had been out of the lineup for two of the last three games, and he was bumped down to sixth in the order in his return Thursday. He responded by delivering a two-RBI single in the sixth inning, giving the Pirates a three-run lead. Ozuna has gone just 7-for-35 across his last 10 starts, though he has managed five RBI and four runs scored in that span.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk Thursday against the Cardinals.

Lowe gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the first inning with what was originally scored as an inside-the-park home run, but it was later ruled a traditional homer. He has now gone yard 13 times in his first 44 games as a Pirate. Lowe also has at least one hit in five of his last six starts, and he's gone 8-for-26 with three homers, four RBI and four runs scored in that span.