MLB Player News

Sulser (lat) has resumed playing catch, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Sulser landed on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain June 15 and has been cleared to resume a throwing program just over a week later. It's not yet clear when the right-hander will be able to return to game action, but a better idea of his timetable should come into focus once he resumes mound work.

White has joined the Dodgers in Atlanta and will likely start Saturday's game, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

White was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 10 and tossed 11.2 scoreless innings over two starts since heading to the minors. However, Andrew Heaney (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday, so White will likely get another chance to prove himself at the major-league level.

Loaisiga (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Previous reports indicated that Loaisiga could advance from throwing off flat ground to a bullpen session Thursday or Friday, but he's evidently a bit behind that schedule. He's been out for over a month with shoulder inflammation, so his return isn't imminent, but he's trending in the right direction.

Hoffman was placed on the injured list for an unspecified reason Friday.

Since the Reds didn't provide an injury designation for Hoffman on Friday, it seems likely that he's on the COVID-19 injured list. Assuming that's the case, he'll be eligible to return as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols, but his return timetable depends on whether he's tested positive for the virus. Right-hander Jared Solomon was recalled to take Hoffman's place in the rotation.

Menez announced Friday via his personal Instagram feed that he's signing with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Menez began the season at Triple-A Iowa and posted a 2.14 ERA, 25:8 K:BB and 1.14 WHIP in 21 innings over 11 appearances (one start) with the minor-league club. He made a relief appearance for the Cubs in mid-May but will choose to head overseas after being outrighted to Triple-A earlier in June.

Castro (4-0) earned the win over Houston on Thursday, issuing one walk and striking out one batter in one inning.

The right-hander's outing at first resembled mop-up duty with the Yankees trailing by three runs entering the ninth inning and facing the daunting task of trying to come back against Astros closer Ryan Pressly, but Castro's scoreless frame ended up being critical when New York stormed back for four runs and a walk-off win in the bottom of the frame. The veteran reliever has already set a single-season career high with four victories on the campaign.

Naughton was recalled by the Cardinals on Friday.

Naughton has already spent four separate stints on the major-league roster. His numbers haven't necessarily justified a permanent stay, as he owns a 5.40 ERA in 13.1 innings of work, though his 1.8 percent walk rate at least demonstrates strong control. He'll replace Drew VerHagen in the bullpen, who hit the injured list with a shoulder issue Friday.

VerHagen (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday.

While it's not yet clear how long VerHagen has been dealing with his shoulder injury, he hasn't been particularly effective recently, as he's allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 13 hits and four walks while striking out seven in 5.2 innings over his last seven appearances. The right-hander will be forced to miss at least two weeks due to his injury, while Packy Naughton was recalled to take VerHagen's place in the bullpen.

Diplan was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Diplan was sent down in early June, and he posted a 1.13 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in eight innings over four relief appearances in the minors following his demotion. The right-hander has posted a 1.59 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 5.2 innings over five appearances for the Orioles this year, and he should serve mainly as a low-leverage reliever now that he's back with the major-league club.

Hall has a 3.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 57:23 K:BB through 35 innings for Triple-A Norfolk.

He issued five walks his last time out, and Hall's 5.9 BB/9 since ascending to Triple-A is one major reason that he hasn't yet had the opportunity to make his big-league debut. Stamina is a factor as well -- Hall has finished five innings just once in 11 starts across three levels this season. He's one of the hardest-throwing lefties in all of pro ball and his strikeout upside is obviously spectacular, but Hall's profile as a whole suggests noteworthy relief risk, albeit with ace reliever upside.