MLB Player News

Sale (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session this weekend, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

He threw a bullpen session Tuesday, his first since down with a stress reaction in his left scapula. Sale will likely need two live batting practices after that before eventually progressing to a rehab assignment. The veteran left-hander is tracking toward a return to the Red Sox rotation by early August, although he still has some hurdles to clear in order for that to happen.

Valdez (calf) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Greg Rajan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

If he comes out of the session without any issues, Valdez will be cleared to start Friday in Oakland. The left-hander had to make an early exit from his last outing Saturday versus the Angels due to a cramp in his left calf. Valdez registered 13 strikeouts in the start before exiting.

Wells (7-5) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over two innings against the Dodgers. He struck out two.

It was the shortest outing of the year for Wells in his first start out of the All-Star break, as the Dodgers put up a five spot in the second inning. The loss ended an impressive run for Wells, who'd logged quality starts in five of his previous six outings, posting a 2.97 ERA over that span. Overall, the 28-year-old right-hander sports a 3.54 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP and 105:26 K:BB across 18 starts (106.2 innings) this season. Wells is currently lined up for another tough matchup this weekend against the Rays in Tampa Bay.

Giolito (6-6) took the loss Tuesday as the White Sox fell 11-10 to the Mets, surrendering eight runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and five walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out five.

New York ambushed the right-hander for five runs in the first inning alone, as rookies Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty both took him deep, and things didn't get much better for Giolito from there. He's now served up 20 homers on the season in only 116 innings, helping to fuel his 3.96 ERA, but his 1.20 WHIP and 122:39 K:BB remain respectable. He lines up for his next start this weekend in Minnesota.

Manoah (2-8) took the loss Tuesday as the Blue Jays were routed 9-1 by the Padres, giving up four runs on three hits and five walks over three-plus innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

After an encouraging outing against Detroit in his return from a stint in the minors to fix his mechanics, Manoah's issues with getting the ball over the plate resurfaced with a vengeance -- he tossed only 49 of 92 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, and he's now issued at least five free passes three times in his last seven big-league starts. The right-hander can't be relied upon in any fantasy format until he has a sustained run of success, and his spot in the rotation could be on thin ice with Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) in the final stages of his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Cortes (shoulder) threw 35 pitches in a live batting-practice session Monday and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Cortes "did good" in Monday's live session, which was his second in a five-day span. If the left-handed hurler emerges without any setbacks, he's slated to pitch for a yet-to-be-determined minor-league affiliate in a rehab outing Saturday. Cortes will likely need multiple rehab appearances before he's ready to rejoin the big-league club, and he's not eligible to be activated from the injured list until Aug. 3. That's around the date he could make his next start for the Yankees if all goes well for him moving forward.

Woo (1-2) allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Twins.

Woo hadn't given up more than two runs in any of his six previous starts, but he struggled after a 10-day gap between outings. The Twins got to him for two runs in the first inning and then piled on in the third and fourth. Woo is now at a 4.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB over 38 innings through eight starts this season. He's lined up for a home start versus the Blue Jays this weekend.

Ober (6-4) allowed three runs on seven hits and a hit batsman and struck out five without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Mariners.

Ober had a rough first inning, in which he allowed six of the seven hits he gave up. He settled in after that and retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced to walk away with his sixth straight quality start. The right-hander now has a 2.74 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 84:18 K:BB through 88.2 innings over 15 starts in what's been a quietly impressive campaign. Ober is projected for a home start versus the White Sox this weekend.

Medina (3-7) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.2 shutout innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Red Sox.

Medina came up one out short of a quality start. He made his last appearance as a bulk reliever July 7 versus Boston, but he was better in his return to a starting role. Through 13 appearances (nine starts), Medina has a 5.79 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 64:33 K:BB over 65.1 innings this season. The right-hander is lined up for a challenging home start versus the Astros over the weekend.

German (5-6) allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Angels.

German has struck out nine in three of his last four starts, but he was unable to contain the Angels' offense. Two of the four hits he allowed went for extra bases, and he also allowed a run to score on a wild pitch in this outing. The right-hander is now at a 4.52 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 101:31 K:BB through 97.2 innings through 18 starts this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Mets next week.