MLB Player News

Hicks (elbow) hasn't yet resumed mound work and may not return to the Cardinals in 2021, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Manager Mike Shildt said that Hicks is "significantly" behind Jack Flaherty (oblique) in his recovery process, and Flaherty threw his first bullpen session Friday. Shildt said that it's "hard to say" whether the right-hander will pitch again for the Cardinals this season. Hicks has been sidelined since the beginning of May due to right elbow inflammation.

Lamet (forearm) will throw bullpen sessions and live batting practice in the near future before the Padres determine his next steps, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet has been making progress since landing on the injured list with right forearm tightness June 27, but the club still wants to see how he reacts to throwing off a mound before deciding his next steps. The right-hander still figures to have a chance to rejoin the rotation by the end of July, and his progress in coming days will go a long way in determining his status going forward.

Long (back) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Long has been on the injured list since July 4 due to a mild lower-back strain, but he was able to resume mound work following the All-Star break. It's not yet clear when the southpaw could return or whether he could require a rehab assignment at some point.

Medina was placed on the 7-day injured list July 2 by Triple-A Lehigh Valley for an unspecified issue, Tom Housenick of The Allentown Morning Call reports.

The 24-year-old right-hander posted a 5.73 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 10 starts before he was shut down with the injury. Even if he had avoided the setback, Medina wasn't in position to receive a call-up to the big leagues at any point in the near future.

Almonte was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

While the Rockies haven't yet indicated whether Almonte has tested positive for COVID-19, he was one of several Rockies who landed on the injured list Friday. If he hasn't tested positive, the right-hander will be eligible to return as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols.

Mears was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Mears was sent down July 5, and he's allowed no hits and a walk while striking out two over 2.2 scoreless innings at Triple-A Indianapolis since. He still hasn't made his 2021 debut for the Pirates but will be available out of the bullpen.

Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Friday's game against the Cardinals, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jackson signed a minor-league deal with San Francisco in March. He'll join the big-league roster after posting an impressive 18:1 K:BB across 11 scoreless innings with Sacramento. The right-hander last pitched in the majors with the Brewers in 2019, when he posted a 4.45 ERA and 47:18 K:BB across 30.1 innings.

Weathers was placed on the 10-day injured list with right ankle inflammation Friday, retroactive to July 13.

Weathers was diagnosed with a small fracture to a bone in the back of his right ankle Thursday, and he'll officially spend time on the injured list as a result. However, the Padres are hoping the southpaw will be able to return from the injured list prior to the end of their current road trip, which lasts until July 25, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The team hasn't yet announced who could take Weathers' place in the rotation while he's sidelined.

Nelson (back) could return during the series against San Francisco that begins July 19, Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA reports.

Nelson hasn't pitched since July 6, but he has been playing catch and appears to be feeling better after a left lumbar strain sent him to the IL last week. The right-hander has emerged as one of the Dodgers' most consistent and effective bullpen arms this season, as he has registered a 2.00 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 13.7 K/9 across 27 innings. He also has picked up six holds.

Sims (elbow) isn't expected to return before August, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Sims has been out with a sprained elbow since late June. The injury was originally expected to cost him three or four weeks, but it now looks likely to keep him out for closer to six. He reportedly hasn't suffered a setback, however, so it's possible the initial timeline was simply overly optimistic.