MLB Player News

Manager Joe Maddon said the Angels are optimistic Cobb (finger) will make his next turn through the rotation, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The veteran right-hander exited Friday's start with a blister on his index finger, but he played catch Tuesday and still has a chance of making his next turn through the rotation, which lines up for Thursday versus the A's. Cobb has been pitching well through four starts in July with a 1.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 24.2 innings.

Severino (elbow) tossed another live batting practice session Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

It marked Severino's third live session since the right-hander's rehab assignment was paused because of a right groin strain. It seems possible that his next step will be to resume his rehab stint, though the Yankees could opt to have him throw another simulated game first. Once he's sent on a rehab assignment, the plan is for the 27-year-old to get stretched out to be able to throw five or six innings. With that in mind, he remains on track for a mid-to-late August return.

Ray won't start as scheduled Tuesday at Boston since the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday, and Ray figures to start one of those contests. He faced the Red Sox in his most recent start July 21, when he surrendered four runs -- including three homers -- across five innings.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Tuesday that Manoah (back) is on track to be activated from the 10-day injured list to start Saturday against the Royals, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

It was reported Monday that Manoah could be activated to start Saturday, and that appears to be closer to a sure thing now. Manoah hasn't pitched since July 9 because of a back bruise suffered when he slipped on the dugout steps.

Urena (groin) has been throwing flat-ground sessions but hasn't gotten on the mound yet, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Urena went down July 17 with right groin tightness and appears at least a couple weeks from returning. After he eventually begins throwing bullpens from the mound, the righty will still have to face hitters and will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment as well. In 17 starts this season, Urena has pitched 80 innings, posting a 6.19 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.

Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said last week that Arihara (shoulder) could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list in September, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Arihara has been on the shelf since late May, when he underwent surgery to remove an aneurysm and address artery damage in his right shoulder. Since Arihara's procedure wasn't a reconstructive one, he'll have a shot to pitch again in 2021, but his ability to return will likely hinge on him steering clear of any setbacks as he moves through a throwing program. Given that Arihara isn't believed to have resumed mound work at this stage of his recovery, he'll most likely be used as a reliever rather than a starter if he makes his way back to the Rangers in September.

Manning didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Twins, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five-plus innings. He struck out four.

The rookie didn't pitch too badly through five innings, but Brent Rooker led off the sixth with a solo shot and Manning walked Jorge Polanco before getting the hook, with Jose Cisnero then allowing the inherited runner to score. Manning remains a work in progress, but he has worked at least five innings in each of his last three starts, posting a 3.94 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB through 16 frames over that stretch.

Garcia allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out nine over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against the Mariners.

The Astros bequeathed six runs for Garcia before he threw his first pitch, and they had a 7-0 lead entering the bottom of the fourth inning when the wheels started to come off. Garcia needed only 38 pitches to get through the first three innings, but he had to expend another 49 to procure the next five outs before being pulled. He also had a throwing error that extended the fourth inning, when Seattle struck for three runs. On balance, the outing was an outlier for the rookie right-hander, who has a 3.19 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 96 innings. If the rotation holds through Thursday's off day, Garcia lines up to pitch Sunday on the road against the Giants.

Keuchel (7-4) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings, taking the loss against Kansas City on Monday.

Keuchel was victimized by three home runs -- two by the hot-hitting Jorge Soler -- while the White Sox's offense generated only five hits. The left-hander doesn't usually give up a lot of home runs, but he's allowed at least one in his last five starts (eight in 27 innings), going 1-2 with a 5.33 ERA during that run. Keuchel's next start is expected to be come Saturday at home against Cleveland.

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Manoah (back) could return from the injured list to start Saturday versus the Royals, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

The right-hander was scheduled to throw 60-to-75 pitches in a simulated game Monday, and Montoyo's comments indicate that session went well. If confirmed to start Saturday, Manoah shouldn't face significant workload limitations in his first start off the injured list given Monday's pitch count.