MLB Player News

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Waldrep (arm) will begin a throwing program this week, Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Waldrep was placed on the 7-day injured list July 21 due to what Atlanta referred to as right arm discomfort. The organization hasn't provided many details regarding Waldrep's injury since he was shut down, but the right-hander has now been given the green light to begin what could be a lengthy ramp-up process. According to Sallee, Weiss provided no guarantees that Waldrep will be available to pitch again this season, as Atlanta will see how he progresses through his throwing program before a potential return date is mapped out. Waldrep may not have enough time to get fully stretched back out as a starter, but a late-season return as a reliever would at least inspire some confidence about his health heading into 2027.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Strider (elbow) will begin a throwing progression this week, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Mark Bowman of MLB.com previously reported Aug. 1 that Strider's locker at Truist Park was recently cleared out, which appeared to signal that Atlanta wasn't counting on the right-hander pitching again in 2026. However, with Strider having now been given the green light to start playing light catch, he now looks to have a chance at making it back on the mound before the end of the season. Strider, who has been on the shelf since June 13 due to right elbow inflammation, can't afford a setback during his throwing progression, as any hiccups would likely close the door on a return from the 60-day injured list. Given the time that he's missed, the 27-year-old will be in store for an extended buildup, and it's not a given that he'll be stretched out enough to handle a traditional starting role if/when he returns. Strider could still provide value to Atlanta as an opener or multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen down the stretch.

The Marlins claimed Gonzalez off waivers from the White Sox on Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.

The 24-year-old righty made 16 appearances out of the White Sox bullpen in 2025 but has pitched exclusively in the minors this season. Though Gonzalez had racked up 34 strikeouts over 24.2 innings at Triple-A Charlotte, an elevated 11.4 percent walk rate limited his effectiveness. He'll stick around at the Triple-A level with his new organization, and if he can show improved control, Gonzalez could get some opportunities in relief with the Marlins later on this season.

Giolito (elbow) has been throwing at the Padres' team complex in Arizona, but his timeline to return is unclear, MLB.com reports.

Giolito landed on the injured list June 23 due to right elbow inflammation but was able to resume light throwing within a week. However, the veteran pitcher hasn't yet progressed to facing hitters, and it's unclear how far away a minor-league rehab assignment may be. By the time Giolito is ready to rejoin the Padres, both Joe Musgrove (elbow) and Nick Pivetta (forearm) may have returned to action, which could impact Giolito's place in the rotation following the trade-deadline acquisitions of Robbie Ray and Casey Mize.

Musgrove (elbow) completed 3.1 innings in a minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks while striking out two batters.

It was Musgrove's second rehab outing as he sets his sights on pitching for the big-league club for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September of 2024. The veteran right-hander tossed 39 pitches in his first rehab start Aug. 4, so he's gradually building up his pitch count in preparation for a return to a spot in San Diego's rotation. Musgrove is likely to need at least one more rehab outing before being activated, but he could be back with the Padres by the end of August, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

Bubic (shoulder/elbow) is hoping to begin a minor-league rehab assignment around early September, MLB.com reports.

Bubic resumed a throwing progression while still with Kansas City in late July and was traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 3. The veteran hurler is continuing to try to work his way back from left shoulder discomfort and left elbow soreness, which has kept him on the IL since mid-May. Given the length of his absence, Bubic will almost certainly need to make several rehab appearances when he's ready to get into game action, which means that activation from the IL is unlikely to happen before mid-September. With that in mind, and given the Dodgers' deep rotation when healthy, the likeliest scenario for the left-hander to contribute to his new team this season is as a long-relief and/or emergency-starter option down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Susana (lat) is expected to report to High-A Wilmington on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Susana has resided on Double-A Harrisburg's injured list all season while recovering from right lat surgery and will eventually slot into the rotation for that affiliate once he concludes his rehab assignment at Wilmington. The 22-year-old righty displaced elite velocity before undergoing surgery last September and has seemingly bounced back well from the procedure, with Nusbaum noting that Susana has been regularly hitting triple digits with his fastball during his recent throwing sessions.

The Nationals intend to call up Kent from Triple-A Rochester to make his MLB debut this week, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

One of the top upper-level pitching prospects in the organization, Kent will be summoned from Triple-A to fill the vacancy in the big-league rotation that was created when the Nationals designated Zack Littell for assignment last week. The 23-year-old lefty is in line for his second promotion of 2026, as he opened the campaign at Double-A Harrisburg before moving up to Triple-A on May 21. Over 13 starts with Rochester, Kent turned in a 4.38 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 67:22 K:BB across 63.2 innings. He made his most recent appearance at Triple-A last Wednesday, so he'll presumably slot into the rotation at some point during the Nationals' three-game home series versus the Cubs that begins Tuesday.

Assad tossed a perfect inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 10-2 win over the Royals.

Assad had started in both of his previous two appearances, but he looks poised to stick in a relief role after the Cubs acquired Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes prior to Aug. 3 trade deadline and broke them into the rotation last week. Pitching out of the bullpen for the first time since July 25, Assad made quick work of the Royals, needing just five pitches to retire the side and close out the blowout win. Expect most of Assad's opportunities moving forward to come in lower-leverage situations.

Henderson (elbow) tossed 4.2 hitless innings Sunday in his 2026 debut at Triple-A Memphis after being reinstated from the 60-day injured list.

Henderson was effectively wild, managing to hold Nashville off the scoreboard despite walking four and not recording a strikeout. The left-hander entered the Memphis rotation following four rehab starts, as he missed the first three months of the season with a flexor strain. Henderson doesn't have wipeout stuff but has been highly effective thus far in the minors, having posted a 2.59 ERA and 134:51 K:BB over 132 innings covering 25 starts with Double-A Springfield in 2025.