MLB Player News

Junk will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to start Wednesday's game against Kansas City, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Junk's last appearance for the Angels lasted just one inning, tossing a scoreless frame while striking out one May 28 against the Blue Jays. The right-hander owns a 3.88 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 40:11 K:BB across 48.2 innings at Triple-A so far in 2022.

Hill (knee) will likely begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Hill threw a three-inning simulated game Friday and felt good a day after, so he'll likely return to game action with a minor-league affiliate this week. The left-hander has been on the injured list since July 2, and it's possible that he'll be cleared to rejoin the Red Sox after just one or two rehab starts.

Wacha (shoulder) threw live batting practice Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Wacha faced hitters Monday for the first time since landing on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation in early June. The right-hander is scheduled to face hitters once again Saturday before beginning a rehab assignment at some point afterward.

Seabold (forearm) will throw a live batting practice session at Fenway Park on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Michael Wacha (shoulder) is also scheduled to face hitters Monday, as both injured pitchers look to be at the same spot in their respective rehab programs. Boston will have a spot available in the rotation for Wacha once he's ready to return from the 15-day injured list, but Seabold is more likely to be optioned to Triple-A Worcester once he's reinstated. Boston currently has only four healthy starting pitchers on the active roster, but Josh Winckowski (illness) looks on pace to return from the COVID-19 IL on Tuesday, while Wacha and/or Rich Hill (knee) could both be activated before or at a similar time as Seabold.

Milone logged 2.1 innings out of the bullpen in a loss to the Astros on Sunday, allowing two earned runs on a hit and three walks while recording a strikeout.

The veteran left-hander had recently been moved back to the bullpen, and Sunday's uneven performance may have partly been the result of Milone last having pitched July 13. The 35-year-old is likely to continue primarily seeing multi-inning relief assignments, which could certainly set him up to qualify for the occasional decision or hold.

Kikuchi (neck) covered five scoreless innings and struck out four in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Buffalo. He scattered two hits and three walks in the outing.

The Blue Jays have yet to officially announce Kikuchi's next step, but since the veteran southpaw turned in quality results in his rehab outing while building up to 77 pitches, he should be ready to re-enter the rotation when the big club requires a fifth starter during their four-game series with the Tigers later this week. Though a potential matchup with a punchless Detroit offense is a good one for Kikuchi, he's been difficult to trust from a fantasy standpoint when healthy this season. Over 16 starts with Toronto, Kikuchi owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB across 65 innings.

Bello (0-2) took the loss against Toronto on Sunday, allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out two and walking two over four innings.

Bello was yanked after giving up five earned runs across four frames Sunday. The young righty threw 41 of 67 pitches for strikes but allowed 11 baserunners and struck out just two batters. George Springer and Cavan Biggio were also able to swipe second base while he was on the mound. Bello has had a rough rookie campaign so far. In 12 innings, he has allowed 14 earned runs, although none have come via the long ball. Bello has a bloated 10.50 ERA, but could still continue to pick up starts for the Red Sox with so many of their starters on the shelf.

Stripling did not factor into the decision against the Red Sox on Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out one and walking one over four innings.

Stripling threw 38 of 62 pitches for strikes, allowing Jarren Duran and Franchy Cordero to cross the plate before he was pulled. Stripling has gone beyond five innings three times in 14 games as a starter this season and was limited to four frames against Boston. He also tallied just one strikeout in the game, his lowest total since a one-out, zero-strikeout save May 28. The righty should continue to see starting opportunities with multiple pitchers on the IL for Toronto and will take a 3.10 ERA into his next appearance.

Kremer (3-2) took the loss against the Yankees on Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out six and walking one over 5.1 innings.

After finishing June with a 1.29 ERA, Kremer has not seen the same success in July. After allowing four runs to the Yankees, the righty now has 12 earned runs in 19 innings this month, giving him a 5.68 July ERA. Despite Sunday's rough outing where he threw 55 of 83 pitches for strikes, Kremer still sports a modest 3.06 ERA for the season.

Schmidt picked up the save in Sunday's 6-0 victory over the Orioles, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out three and walking two over three innings.

Schmidt saw his first action for the Yankees since June 22. It comes after the Yankees lost multi-inning reliever Michael King to an elbow injury. Schmidt took on a similar role to King in Sunday's contest, earning a nine-out save. He threw 36 of 56 pitches for strikes, and while he allowed two hits and two walks, Schmidt was able to keep the O's off the board. It was his first save of the year. The righty reliever will take a 2.67 ERA into his next appearance.