MLB Player News

The Royals are hopeful that Wacha, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a small, non-displaced fracture in his left foot, will be able to rejoin the active roster in 3-to-4 weeks, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Though he's without an official timeline for a return, Wacha at least looks poised to avoid surgery to address the injury, which he sustained when he was hit by a line drive in the first inning of his start Friday against the Padres. According to MLB.com, Wacha will be able to play catch on a knee to help keep his arm conditioned, but a firmer target date won't come into focus until the soreness in his fractured foot subsides and he's able to put full weight on the leg when he throws. He'll be limited to light catch for the next 7-to-10 days before potentially increasing his baseball activities after that, according to Goldberg.

Bello did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out five.

Bello cruised through the first four in allowing only two baserunners and finished the sixth inning in line for a quality start and the win. For the first time all year, Bello was called upon to go back out for the seventh, but after recording one out, he allowed the next two runners to reach base prior to being pulled, with both runners eventually coming around to score, adversely impacting his final line. It was only the second time this year that Bello has not been involved in the decision. His next opportunity to take the hill will likely come next weekend when Boston travels to Chicago to take on the White Sox.

High-A Cedar Rapids placed Culpepper on the 7-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm strain.

Culpepper was a breakout prospect for the Twins in 2023, posting a 2.33 ERA with a 53:15 K:BB in 46.1 innings at Single-A Fort Myers. He saw his numbers take a dip upon his midseason promotion to Cedar Rapids, but he had showed better results in his return to High-A in 2024 before he sustained the injury. In seven starts for Cedar Rapids covering 30.1 innings, Culpepper has submitted a 3.26 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB.

Mize did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks over four innings against the Red Sox. He struck out four.

Mize allowed a solo run in each of the first three innings and needed 82 pitches to escape four frames. It was a struggle throughout much of the outing for Mize, who allowed nine batters to reach base. After posting seven consecutive starts of at least five innings, including four quality starts, Mize has failed to finish the fifth in each of his last three starts, allowing at least nine baserunners in each. He'll carry a 4.70 ERA and 1.49 WHIP into his next start, likely to take place next weekend when the Tigers play host to the Brewers.

High-A Greenville reinstated Monegro (shoulder) from its 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Monegro made his Greenville season debut in Sunday's 7-6 win over Rome, striking out two while allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks over four innings. The Red Sox brought Monegro along slowly coming out of spring training after he experienced weakness in his shoulder, but he was cleared to join Greenville after making three rehab starts in the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Castillo (5-6) allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six over seven scoreless innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.

Castillo's gone seven innings in three of his 13 starts this season, and he's kept runs off the board in the each of those outings. He allowed four runs in each of his first three starts of the season, but he hasn't given up more than three runs in any of his last 10 appearances, nine of which went down as quality starts. Castillo is at a strong 2.99 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 81:22 K:BB over 78.1 innings this season. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Kansas City.

Canning (2-5) allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out four over 6.2 innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Sunday.

Canning was not the problem for the Angels on Sunday -- their offense couldn't figure out Luis Castillo. This was Canning's longest outing of the season and his third quality start in 12 appearances. He shaved down his ERA to 4.69 with a 1.37 WHIP and 45:24 K:BB over 63.1 innings. Canning is projected to make his next start at home versus the Astros.

Carrasco (2-5) came away with the loss Sunday against Washington, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five over four innings.

Carrasco made his first start since May 15 after a minimum-length stint on the 15-day injured list due to neck spasms. Carrasco's struggles continued Sunday, as he lost his third straight outing and allowed five or more earned runs for the third time in his last six starts. The 37-year-old veteran has eaten up innings for Cleveland this season but has not delivered for fantasy managers, posting a 5.66 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 49.1 frames. He will look to turn things around in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next weekend in Miami.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on eight hits and one walk over 6.1 innings against the Rays. He struck out one.

Irvin entered the seventh with a two-run lead having allowed only a single run, but a leadoff homer in the inning by Jose Caballero cut the lead in half, and the hurler was pulled after facing one more batter prior to the lineup turning back over for the Rays. It was Irvin's first quality start since May 3, though he's allowed no more than three earned runs in each of his last nine games and has posted five scoreless outings during that span. Throughout that stretch, he's thrown 47 innings with a 1.72 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 30 strikeouts. Irvin's next start is tentatively slated for next weekend against these same Rays when the Orioles return the favor and make the trek to Tampa.

Littell struck out two and allowed three runs on 11 hits and one walk over six innings in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Orioles. He didn't factor into the decision.

Littell's day started by allowing a leadoff homer to Gunnar Henderson, but he somehow managed to keep the Rays in the game despite walking the tight rope throughout most of his six-inning effort. In total, Littell scattered a season-high 11 hits and 12 total baserunners while accumulating a season-low two strikeouts. Despite facing at least five Orioles batters in four of his six innings completed, Littell managed to walk away with a quality start, and his gritty performance kept the door open for the Rays to pull off the comeback win. Littell will look to make things a bit easier on himself during his next start, tentatively slated to take place against these same Orioles next weekend when the O's return the favor and make the trip to Tampa.