MLB Player News

Heaney (shoulder) responded well to a bullpen session Saturday and will throw simulated innings in the next few days, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Heaney has thrown multiple bullpen sessions since Tuesday and is ready to take the next step forward in his recovery. He'll also need a rehab assignment prior to being activated, so he will almost certainly be out through the All-Star break.

Steele (personal) was placed on the paternity list Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Steele did not travel with the Cubs to Los Angeles for the team's weekend series against the Dodgers. He was officially placed on the paternity list to make room for Marcus Stroman (shoulder) -- Saturday's starter -- on the active roster. Steele will have to return by Tuesday's game against the Orioles, though it's unclear when he may make his next start.

Stroman (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list prior to his start Saturday against the Dodgers,Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Stroman had previously been announced as the Cubs' starter for Saturday's game, though he is now officially back after a month-long absence. He has a 5.32 ERA across 47.1 innings on the season, but his 45:12 K:BB indicates better results may be on the way.

Sanchez will pitch behind opener Nick Nelson during Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez made his second start of the season Tuesday against the Nationals and struck out two in five scoreless innings. The southpaw will work as a bulk reliever Sunday but will attempt to maintain his momentum from Tuesday's start.

Suarez (back) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Suarez has been on the 15-day injured list since late June due to a low back spasm, but interim manager Rob Thomson recently said that there's an "outside chance" that the southpaw will rejoin the rotation prior to the All-Star break. A better idea of Suarez's status will likely come into focus based on how he feels after Sunday's bullpen.

Eflin (knee) won't rejoin the Phillies' rotation until after the All-Star break, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Eflin initially hoped that he'd be able to return from the injured list after missing the minimum of 15 days, but the Phillies are choosing to take a more cautious approach to prevent against a more significant injury. He received a cortisone injection June 28 and will throw a bullpen session Sunday. Interim manager Rob Thomson isn't sure whether the right-hander will be cleared to return for the Phillies' first turn through the rotation following the All-Star break, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in action sometime in late July.

Perez struck out 10 without walking any over six one-run, two-hit innings for Double-A Pensacola on Thursday.

It's the second time in 13 starts for Pensacola the 19-year-old phenom has fanned double-digit batters, while it's also the second time this year he's completed six frames. Perez has compiled a masterful 3.05 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 87:14 K:BB through 62 innings in his first exposure to Double-A, and while the Marlins won't want to push him too aggressively given his age, it seems almost certain he'll get a promotion to Triple-A before the campaign is over -- and a big-league debut before he turns 20 next April could even be in the cards.

DeGrom (shoulder) tossed 36 pitches over three innings in Friday's rehab start with Single-A St. Lucie, striking out six batters, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander topped out at 101 mph with his fastball as he thoroughly overmatched Florida State League batters. "It felt really good, was just happy to get out there and get three complete innings," deGrom said afterward. The upcoming minor-league All-Star breaks complicate the timetable for his return to the Mets' rotation, but deGrom appears to be on track to rejoin the club before July is over.

Morton (5-3) picked up the win Friday, giving up two runs on four hits and three walks over seven inning in a 12-2 rout of the Nationals. He struck out seven.

Aside from a two-run blast by Juan Soto in the third inning, Morton was firmly in control, firing 69 of 105 pitches for strikes before exiting. The win was his first in over a month but the veteran right-hander has been pitching like an ace again recently, reeling off four quality starts in his last five trips to the mound and missing the fifth by only one out. Over that stretch, Morton has a 1.60 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 42:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings.

Bassitt (6-6) took the loss Friday as the Mets were downed 5-2 by the Marlins, giving up two runs on six hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander effectively missed only one turn through the rotation while on the COVID-19 list and delivered his fourth straight quality start and 10th of the season upon his return. Bassitt left the game with the Mets down 2-1 and got stuck with the loss. The 33-year-old will take a 3.94 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 98:26 K:BB through 96 innings into his next outing.