MLB Player News

Smyly (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at High-A South Bend on Monday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Smyly progressed to facing live hitters Tuesday, and he threw a successful bullpen session Friday. The southpaw will may require multiple appearances in the minors prior to rejoining the Cubs, but his rehab assignment should be the final step in his recovery process.

Senzatela (shoulder) underwent an MRI on Saturday that came back clean, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Senzatela was removed from Friday's game against the Diamondbacks due to right shoulder inflammation and tightness, but his injury doesn't appear to be a significant concern. Whether he misses additional time remains to be seen, but the right-hander tested his arm ahead of Saturday's game against Arizona.

Stroman (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Stroman has been throwing consistently over the last week, and he reached 40 pitches during a bullpen session last Saturday before throwing 36 pitches in a live batting practice session Tuesday. The right-hander threw another bullpen Friday and has now been cleared to return to game action with the Triple-A club. It's not yet clear how many rehab starts he'll require, but he's closing in on a return.

Peterson will be placed on the paternity list Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Peterson started Friday's game against the Rangers and allowed three runs on five hits and no walks while striking out 10 in six innings to earn the win. The southpaw left the team Saturday, but the Mets will wait at least one additional day to officially make a transaction since players can spend a maximum of three days on the paternity list.

DeGrom (shoulder) will make a rehab start Sunday for Single-A St. Lucie, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After throwing 27 pitches in a live batting practice session Wednesday, deGrom is ready to return to a live setting. DeGrom was shut down just before the start of the season with a stress reaction in his right scapula, and the Mets have taken a cautious approach to his rehab, building the all-world starter back up slowly. Expect him to make more than one rehab start in the minors. If all goes well, it's reasonable to think he could make one start for the big-league team before the All-Star break, but that's not a guarantee.

Atlanta designated Toussaint for assignment Saturday.

Toussaint was once a big-time prospect, and he showed flashes in the big leagues as recently as last season, but the right-hander has struggled to the tune of a 6.26 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 41.2 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett this season. The Atlanta front office lost patience, but Toussaint is still just 26 years old, so he may be appealing to another team as a reclamation project.

Ashby (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to Saturday's start against the Pirates.

Ashby spent the minimal amount of time on the injured list and will rejoin the Brewers' rotation after throwing a bullpen Wednesday. The southpaw made three starts in June and posted an 8.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 15 innings.

The Brewers placed Houser (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right flexor strain.

With the Brewers labeling Houser's elbow injury as a strain rather than soreness, he seems likely to miss more than the minimum 15 days and could be sidelined through the All-Star break. Aaron Ashby (forearm) is on track to be activated from the IL on Saturday and should fill Houser's spot in the rotation.

Woodford was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Woodford spent nearly a week in the Cardinals' bullpen and tossed 1.2 scoreless innings over two appearances during his stint with the major-league club. However, he'll head back to the minors after Jordan Hicks (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Liberatore was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Liberatore has been shuffled between the minor-league and major-league clubs early in the season. However, manager Oliver Marmol recently indicated that the 22-year-old could remain in the Cardinals' rotation after starting Saturday's game against the Phillies since Jack Flaherty (shoulder) and Steven Matz (shoulder) are sidelined. Over his first four starts for St. Louis, the southpaw has posted a 4.00 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 18 innings.