MLB Player News

Steele (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele has been sidelined since May 21 with the injury and is set for his first game action since. It's unclear how long he'll need to ramp back up, but he should be activated by late June or early July assuming he has no setbacks.

Worley's contract was purchased from independent Kane County on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Worley was released by the Mets in June of 2018, but he'll now report to Triple-A Syracuse after he began the 2021 campaign in independent ball. The 33-year-old will serve as organizational depth going forward but could return to the majors at some point this year.

Wright was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was hit hard in Wednesday's loss to the Mets, as he gave up five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one in two innings. Max Fried (finger) is expected to return from the 10-day injured list next week, so Wright will head back to the minors. Right-hander Jesse Chavez's contract was selected as part of a corresponding move.

Fried (finger) should return from the 10-day injured list Wednesday against the Mets, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Fried has been on the 10-day injured list since June 19 due to a blister on his left index finger, but he could return to the mound when he's first eligible Wednesday. The southpaw put up quality starts in each of his three outings prior to his absence, and he posted. 2.37 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 19 innings during that time.

Ashcraft was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga this week, and he took a perfect game into the seventh inning in his debut there to extend his scoreless innings streak to 33 in a complete game shutout, MiLB.com reports.

Ashcraft has a combined 1.89 ERA between High-A and Double-A so far, with 63 strikeouts in 47.2 innings. He was a sixth-round pick out of UAB in 2019, but he didn't see the field in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Gray (groin) will now make his rehab start Saturday after he woke up with a stiff back Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gray was expected to begin his rehab assignment Thursday, but he'll wait a few more days as a precautionary measure. His back stiffness doesn't sound like a significant concern, so the right-hander should be able to get back on track assuming he's able to take the mound Saturday. However, Gray's minor setback could push back his potential return to major-league game action by a few days, so Tony Santillan could get another turn through the rotation.

Gray (elbow) will return from the 10-day injured list to start Friday's series opener in Milwaukee, MLB.com reports.

Gray received the green light to return from the IL after he struck out six while allowing two runs over four innings in his rehab start last weekend at Triple-A Albuquerque. He tossed 62 pitches in that outing, so he'll likely only have a light workload restriction as he steps back into the Colorado rotation. Gray has been on the shelf since June 5 with a right flexor strain.

Rogers (7-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Marlins were downed 3-1 by the Blue Jays, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.

Remarkably, this was one of Rogers' worst starts of the year, as the southpaw failed to pitch at least six innings for the first time since May 24 and got tagged for a season-high three runs for only the second time. Even so, he kept the Marlins in the game despite their lack of offense. He'll take a 2.08 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 101:28 K:BB through 86.2 innings into his next outing.

Megill didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 7-3 win over Atlanta, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

The 25-year-old appeared to be in good shape to pick up the win in his big-league debut after the Mets jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but Megill ran into trouble in the fifth inning and got the hook after throwing 92 pitches (53 strikes). Whether he gets another turn in the rotation will depend on how quickly Marcus Stroman (hip) can return to the mound.

Wright (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs on four hits and three walks over two innings as Atlanta was downed 7-3 by the Mets. He struck out one.

It was a rough night for the right-hander, who got chased from the game after 55 pitches (29 strikes). Despite the poor outing, Wright and his career 6.56 ERA could be needed for one more turn through the rotation before Max Fried (finger) is able to rejoin the staff.