MLB Player News

Keller (shoulder) was returned from his rehab assignment Thursday.

Keller's 30 days on assignment were up, so the Royals will soon have to decide what to do with the right-hander. He appeared in nine games for Triple-A Omaha, covering nine innings with a 15.00 ERA, 3.56 WHIP and 5:21 K:BB while working as a reliever for a majority of the assignment. Given those numbers, it wouldn't be shocking to see him pitch out of the bullpen if he remains on the big-league roster once he's activated from the injured list.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Toussaint will likely start Friday against the Guardians, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

That would have been Lucas Giolito's turn in the rotation, but he was traded to the Angels on Wednesday. Toussaint has registered a decent 4.06 ERA in 31 major-league innings this season, but command remains an issue for the 27-year-old former top prospect. He made a 15-pitch appearance in relief in Wednesday's 10-7 loss to the Cubs, but he isn't expected to face any limitations come Friday.

Syndergaard (finger) is scheduled to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start for the Guardians on Monday in Houston, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Syndergaard will be making his Guardians debut after he was acquired from the Dodgers on Wednesday in exchange for shortstop Amed Rosario. The 30-year-old has been on the injured list since early June due to a blister on his right index finger and struggled to a 7.16 ERA in 55.1 innings (12 starts) during his time with Los Angeles.

Williams did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three hits and two walks over four scoreless innings in an 8-3 win over Kansas City. He struck out five.

It's the second straight start that an elevated pitch count forced Williams out after four innings, despite limited damage against him. The rookie threw 87 pitches Wednesday, 56 for strikes, despite only issuing two walks. Williams is 1-2 this season with a 3.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 31:17 K:BB through seven starts (37.2 innings) this season. He'll look to provide more length in his next start, currently scheduled for next week in Houston.

Marsh (0-5) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks over 2.2 innings against the Guardians. He struck out three.

It was another tough outing for Marsh, who needed 75 pitches to make it through just 2.2 innings. The rookie right-hander has been tagged with a loss in all five of his MLB starts thus far -- his ERA is up to 7.04 with a 1.65 WHIP and 27:14 K:BB across 23 innings. Despite his early struggles, the rebuilding Royals will likely keep Marsh in the rotation for an extended look. His next start would be lined up for next week against the Mets.

Giolito is scheduled to make his first start for the Angels on Friday in Toronto, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Though he was acquired from the White Sox late Wednesday, Giolito has already arrived in Toronto while he waits for his new teammates to complete their doubleheader in Detroit on Thursday. The right-hander will be pitching on normal rest as he makes his first start for the Halos.

Eflin could potentially make his next scheduled start Tuesday versus the Yankees after an MRI on his left knee didn't show anything overly concerning, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Eflin was forced to exit Wednesday's loss to the Marlins with left knee discomfort, but it looks like he's avoided any serious setbacks. The right-hander has had plenty of past knee issues, but the hope is that he will merely need rest and treatment and will be able to avoid the injured list.

Miller (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

Miller's bullpen comes in the wake of an all-fastballs flat-ground session Saturday that the right-hander apparently emerged healthy from. The fact Miller was able to throw off a mound for the first time since being placed on the injured list May 11 is certainly encouraging, and per the team's official site, manager Mark Kotsay confirmed the 24-year-old will complete at least one more bullpen session before throwing live batting practice.

Bradish (6-6) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.2 innings as the Orioles fell 6-4 to the Phillies. He struck out three.

The right-hander hadn't been tagged for more than three runs in a start since May 23, ending a sizzling stretch during which Bradish had posted a 2.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 60:12 K:BB through 10 outings and 60 innings. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is likely to come early next week in Toronto.

Kikuchi (8-3) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks over six innings in an 8-1 victory over the Dodgers. He struck out eight.

The southpaw delivered his first quality start since June 25 while generating an impressive 33 called or swinging strikes among his 103 pitches. Kikuchi wraps up July with a 3.91 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB through 25.1 innings on the month, and he'll need to keep pitching well if he wants to hang onto his rotation spot with Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) on the verge of making his 2023 debut.