MLB Player News

Cease was traded to the White Sox on Thursday as a part of the deal that sent Jose Quintana to the Cubs.

Cease is one of two big names the White Sox are receiving in this deal, with outfielder Eloy Jimenez being the other one. At 21 years old, the right-handed pitcher was arguably the Cubs' top pitching prospect and has posted 74 strikeouts in 51.2 innings with Low-A South Bend this season.

Morton will start the Astros' first game after the All-Star break, Friday against the Twins, Shane Jackson of MLB.com reports.

In his final start of the first half, Morton allowed one run over six innings against Toronto in his first outing since returning from the disabled list. He made 11 starts in the first half of the season, striking out 68 batters across 63.2 innings, That's a rate of 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings, a significant increase over Morton's 6.3 K/9 mark in nearly 900 innings from 2008-16.

Bassit (elbow) was rocked for four runs on six hits over 1.1 innings Wednesday night for High-A Stockton, Zack Bayrouty of the Stockton Ports reports.

Bassitt was singled to death, as none of the six hits he allowed went for extra bases. He was pounding the zone and just catching too much of it. Bassit threw 21 strikes in just 29 pitches, but just couldn't find a way out of the second inning. He remains on pace for a late-July return, likely in a relief role.

Keuchel (neck) is slated to throw a more intensive bullpen session within the next couple days, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Keuchel threw a successful bullpen session Sunday, so this next step could be a major determinant as to pinpointing a timetable for his return. Manager A.J. Hinch said earlier that the ace starter would need a couple rehab starts prior to joining the rotation, so expect a return sometime later this month, barring any setbacks.

Dunning, 22, has a 3.03 ERA and 71:25 K:BB in 62.1 innings since being promoted to High-A.

Dunning hasn't skipped a beat since being bumped up a level. Opposing batters are hitting just .239 against him, and the 6-foot-4 righty has been inducing more than his fair share of groundballs. Dunning was a reliever in college but has shown no signs of struggling with his shift to the starting rotation.

Sale was named the American League's starting pitcher for Tuesday night's All-Star Game, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

This marks the second consecutive year that the ace left-hander will get the starting nod. Sale has been one of the most dominant pitchers in all of baseball this season, producing a 2.75 ERA and a 178:22 K:BB while holding opposing hitters to a .200 batting average. He will oppose National League starter Max Scherzer for the first few innings of the Midsummer Classic.

Whitley has notched a 0.90 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 14:1 K:BB over 10 innings in two starts since being promoted to High-A Buies Creek.

The 6-foot-7 power righty continues to lay waste to lower levels of the minors, with two of his best starts of the season coming after his promotion from the Midwest League to the Carolina League. He now boasts a 2.56 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 81:22 K:BB in 56.1 innings across Low-A and High-A, solidifying his status as one of the game's best pitching prospects.

Rodriguez (knee) allowed one run on six hits and no walks while striking out seven over 6.1 innings in a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday.

Rodriguez threw 94 pitches (61 strikes) and carried a shutout into the seventh inning. It was easily the best of his three rehab starts, which suggests he's ready for a return to Boston's rotation. The Red Sox have him scheduled to start in Toronto next Monday.

Musgrove will likely head to the bullpen once all of Houston's starters are healthy, according to manager A.J. Hinch, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Musgrove is in the rotation for now, but with Dallas Keuchel (neck) nearing a return and Collin McHugh (elbow) not too far behind, there will be little room in the rotation. He'll get another couple of starts before Hinch needs to make a decision. If he pitches well in his upcoming outings, Musgrove will likely stay in Houston and pitch out of the pen. Otherwise, he'll head back to Triple-A Fresno and continue to work on what's ailing his mechanics.

Keuchel (neck) threw more than 30 pitches Sunday during his first bullpen session since aggravating a pinched nerve in early June, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The left-hander reported no pain following the session -- an encouraging sign for manager A.J. Hinch, who feels Keuchel will need at least one and maybe two rehabilitation starts before returning to the majors.