MLB Player News

Wood (shoulder) is improving but is still being evaluated, with his expected return date not yet clear, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Wood hit the injured list with a left shoulder impingement in early September but has yet to be shut down for the year. Even with the Giants all but eliminated from postseason contention, it looks as though he has a shot to make it back for at least a start or two late in the year, though that's not guaranteed. The team is expected to go with a bullpen game when his turn comes up Sunday against the Cubs.

Burrows is on Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Burrows has a 4.10 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 42:11 K:BB over 41.2 innings for Indianapolis this season but has been unavailable the past couple weeks due to the shoulder issue. The 22-year-old has yet to be ruled out for the season, though it's unclear when he's expected back on the mound.

Gore (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday and is expected to make a rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Rochester, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 23-year-old threw 37 pitches over two simulated innings earlier this week and is now set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A. Gore will likely require multiple starts in the minors before being cleared to rejoin the big-league club, but he could be ready to join the Nationals in late September for a couple starts.

Henry was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

After giving up five earned runs over 4.1 innings Wednesday against the Padres, the D-backs decided to send Henry back to the minors -- likely for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old southpaw recorded a 5.50 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 36 innings for Arizona. Taylor Widener will return to the majors in a corresponding move.

Pfaadt has posted a 2.57 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB across 42 innings since his promotion to Triple-A Reno.

Plagued by poor batted-ball luck and a tendency to serve up long balls in Double-A earlier this year, Pfaadt has seen his luck even out since being promoted to Triple-A in early August. He's also been a little less homer-prone, having kept the opposition in the park in three of his last four starts. The 23-year-old continues to look like he's on track to crack the big leagues next season, though it might be unwise to expect a major fantasy impact from him right away.

Houser is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at American Family Field.

With Freddy Peralta (shoulder) set to join Aaron Ashby (shoulder) on the injured list and with Eric Lauer (elbow) also at risk of landing on the shelf, Houser looks like he has a fairly clear path to a rotation spot. He'll be making his second straight turn through the rotation this weekend after picking up a win Monday in Colorado while allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over five innings.

Peterson is scheduled to start Friday's game in Miami.

Peterson looked to be on the outs for a rotation spot after Carlos Carrasco returned from the 15-day injured list last weekend, but the 27-year-old southpaw will end up maintaining a starting role after Max Scherzer (oblique) was placed on the shelf just a few days later. Over his six appearances (four starts) for the Mets in the second half, Peterson has turned in a 3.57 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 26:8 K:BB across 22.2 innings.

Farrell was claimed off waivers by the Reds on Friday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

After being designated for assignment by the Cubs on Tuesday, Farrell will get another shot with the Reds. There's a chance that he is called up to start one of the games during the Reds' upcoming doubleheader with the Pirates on Tuesday. The 31-year-old has produced a 4.09 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 11 innings in four appearances with the Cubs this season including two starts.

Ashcraft (biceps) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft has been on the injured list since Aug. 23 due to biceps soreness, but he threw a bullpen session Tuesday and tossed live batting practice Friday. Assuming he feels good after facing hitters, the right-hander will likely join a minor-league affiliate next week and should be in the mix to return from the IL for the final few weeks of the regular season.

Walker (finger) will start Sunday's game against Miami, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Walker dealt with a blister on his right index finger following Tuesday's start against the Pirates and was monitored by the Mets' medical staff after having the blister drained Wednesday. However, the issue won't force him to miss any turns through the rotation, as he's on track to start Sunday's series finale. The right-hander has lasted at least five innings in each of his last three starts, posting a 5.28 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 15.1 innings during that time.