MLB Player News

Sale (elbow) will make at least two more rehab starts before being activated from the 60-day injured list, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

After a few non-arm-related setbacks over the winter, Sale's recovery from Tommy John surgery has gone smoothly for some time now. He's looked good in three rehab starts, allowing just two runs in 10.1 innings of work while striking out 20 and walking just one. He got up to 64 pitches in his most recent outing, so he could get to around 80 for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday. He'll still need at least one more rehab outing after that, which could put him on track to return Aug. 10 against the Rays if he remains on normal rest.

Civale (finger) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

This may be little more than a procedural move, as Civale still has plenty of work to do as he works his way back from a sprained middle finger. He suffered that injury in late June and originally had a 4-to-5-week timetable, however, a period which has already elapsed. He'll now be ineligible to return before late August. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the team to add Alex Young, who was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said Monday that Kirby hasn't pitched at High-A Everett since July 10 due to right shoulder fatigue, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Dipoto noted that Kirby isn't dealing with any structural issues with the shoulder, and the Mariners remain optimistic that he'll slot back into the Everett rotation in a week or two. The 23-year-old right-hander posted a 2.56 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 50:8 K:BB across 38.2 innings over his first eight starts with Everett before the shoulder issue surfaced.

Schmidt (elbow) struck out five over three scoreless frames in his first rehab start Monday for the Yankees' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate. He surrendered one hit and walked none.

Though he was facing off against a slew of largely overmatched teenaged Tigers prospects, Schmidt was about as impressive as he could have been in his 2021 debut in affiliated ball. The Yankees have yet to determine the next step for the 25-year-old right-hander, but he could make his next rehab start at a full-season affiliate after acing his first test in his return from a right elbow strain. Once his rehab assignment is completed, Schmidt will need to be activated from the Yankees' 60-day injured list, and he'll most likely be optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at that time.

Schmidt (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Monday with the Yankees' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

Schmidt recently tossed a two-inning simulated game at the Yankees' spring-training complex, so he's expected to stretch out to three innings or 45 pitches in his first rehab outing, which also marks his 2021 debut in affiliated ball. The Yankees are seemingly preparing for Schmidt to build up his pitch count for starting duty, but a relief role probably represents his most realistic path to making an impact for the big club in the second half of the season.

Houck will remain in the Red Sox rotation and make his next start Wednesday against the Blue Jays in Boston, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

At least for one more week, manager Alex Cora will stick with a six-man rotation that includes the rookie, who returned from Triple-A Pawtucket to make his third start of the season July 22. Though a mid-game rain shower resulted in Houck getting pulled after 4.2 innings, he kept the Yankees bats quiet during his time on the mound, allowing just one unearned run on two hits and two walks while striking out eight. Over 18 frames with the big club on the season, Houck owns a 2.50 ERA (1.98 FIP) and an impressive 22.6 K-BB%. The 25-year-old may have a tough time continuing to produce at that level, but even if some regression sets in, he could be an upgrade over Garrett Richards and Martin Perez at the back end of Boston's rotation.

Manning is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Twins in Minnesota, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

With Jose Urena (groin) recently joining Spencer Turnbull (elbow), Matthew Boyd (triceps) and Julio Teheran (shoulder) on the injured list, Manning and Tyler Alexander should have a decent amount of leash on back-end rotation spots for Detroit. After being called up from Triple-A Toledo last week when the Tigers required a fifth starter for the first time in the second half, Manning delivered the best start of his young career. He limited the Rangers to two runs (one earned) while striking out four across six innings en route to capturing his second win.

Javier struck out two over two scoreless innings and picked up a hold in Sunday's 3-1 win over Texas.

Relievers don't face more stressful situations than Javier did Sunday, entering with none out and the bases loaded in the seventh inning. He then fanned Eli White and induced an inning-ending double-play grounder by Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Javier worked an uneventful eighth inning to earn his fifth hold. The 24-year-old right-hander, who began the season in the rotation, is setting into a multi-inning bullpen role. Over 13 relief outings, he's posted a 2.25 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 15 walks in 28 innings.

Lynn (10-3) allowed one run on six hits and struck out six over six innings to earn the win over the Brewers on Sunday.

Lynn not only kept Milwaukee in check, he also plated the winning run with a two-run single in the second inning. The right-hander lowered his ERA to a miniscule 1.91 and is 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in four July starts. With no off-days this week, Lynn lines up to pitch Friday at home against Cleveland.

Greinke (10-3) allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out four across six innings, earning the win over the Rangers on Sunday.

Greinke's only damage against him came from Eli White's sixth-inning solo home run. He continued his streak of allowing three or less runs over his last seven starts. The 37-year-old has a 3.48 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP across 126.2 innings. His next start is scheduled for Saturday in San Francisco.