MLB Player News

Sale (ribcage) will make one more rehab start at Double-A Columbus on Saturday before rejoining the Atlanta rotation, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Sale went four innings and threw 56 pitches in his second rehab outing Sunday with Triple-A Gwinnett, so it's not a surprise the club wants him to make one more rehab start. According to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta is targeting Sale for roughly 75 pitches during his upcoming start with Columbus. As long as all goes well during that rehab outing, Sale will return from the 60-day injured list to make his next start with Atlanta as soon as Aug. 28 in Philadelphia. Sale has been on the shelf since June 21 due to a left ribcage fracture.

Manager Joe Espada said Monday that the Astros haven't determined whether Javier (illness) will be ready to make his next start, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

While making his second start since returning from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Javier lasted just three innings before being pulled from the Astros' eventual 12-0 loss to the Orioles due to an illness. Javier stayed behind in Houston to visit a doctor, but Espada relayed that the right-hander will rejoin the team in Detroit later Monday, which suggests his illness isn't too serious. Javier tentatively lines up to make his next start during this weekend's four-game series in Baltimore, but Espada said that he wants to check in with the 28-year-old in person before determining whether he'll be able to take the hill for his next turn through the rotation. Lance McCullers (finger) is with the Astros in Detroit and could be activated from the 15-day IL and inserted into the rotation at some point this week if the team wants to build in more recovery time for Javier.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Bieber (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game in Miami, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Bieber will be making his first start for the Blue Jays and his first at the major-league level since April 2024, as the right-hander has finally completed a long rehab from Tommy John surgery. The 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner has looked sharp during his rehab assignment, posting a 1.86 ERA and 37:3 K:BB over 29 innings covering seven starts. Bieber went seven scoreless frames and threw 90 pitches in his final rehab outing with Triple-A Buffalo this past Friday, so he should be ready to handle a fairly typical starter's workload in his Toronto debut.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Monday that Miller (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday in Philadelphia, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander permitted two runs with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings in his most recent rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma last Wednesday, getting his pitch count up to 76. Miller -- who is returning from right elbow inflammation -- has bounced back well from that outing, officially clearing the way for him to rejoin the Mariners rotation. He will likely be limited to around 85-to-90 pitches against the Phillies.

France (shoulder) struck out seven and allowed three earned runs on four hits and four walks across four innings in his rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Sugar Land.

The right-hander has now made five rehab starts across stops with three different affiliates and has been gradually increasing his workload. He built up to 77 pitches Thursday and probably needs just one more rehab outing to get himself stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload, but France likely hasn't performed well enough to garner serious consideration for a spot in Houston's rotation once he's activated from the 60-day injured list. After undergoing shoulder surgery last July, France has struggled to regain his control thus far during his rehab assignment, as he's posted a 15:13 K:BB while hitting two batters and uncorking a wild pitch over 13 innings. France has a minor-league option remaining, so the Astros could have him remain with Sugar Land once his 30-day rehab window comes to a close.

Perez will start Wednesday's game in Atlanta, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Perez is taking the rotation spot vacated by Sean Burke, who was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday. Aaron Civale had been scheduled to take the ball Wednesday but has been pushed back in the schedule to start Friday versus the Twins. Perez made one relief appearance last Wednesday after returning from a lengthy absence due to a flexor strain, tossing 3.1 innings of one-run ball in a 1-0 loss to Detroit. He threw 66 pitches in that appearance, which is more than he threw in either of his two rehab outings before being activated from the 60-day injured list. With that in mind, Perez likely won't be ready to handle a full workload Wednesday.

Weathers (lat) will throw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander will face hitters for the first time since he was shelved in early June due to a lat strain. If Weathers gets through Wednesday's session without any hiccups, he could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment. Weathers is hoping to return from the 60-day injured list and rejoin the Miami rotation at some point in September.

The Giants optioned Winn to Triple-A Sacramento on Monday.

Winn was up with the big club for just a few days while Ryan Walker was on the paternity list, but Winn will head back to Sacramento now that Walker has rejoined the active roster. The 27-year-old Winn made two scoreless relief appearances during his time with the big club.

The Cubs announced that Horton was removed in the third inning of his start in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Brewers due to a blister on his right middle finger, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Horton was visited on the mound on three occasions during the afternoon before he was lifted from the contest after recording three strikeouts and allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk across 2.2 innings. Though the blister isn't a major health concern for the young hurler, it could jeopardize his availability for his next turn through the rotation, which is expected to come this weekend versus the Angels. If Horton ends up requiring a stint on the injured list, the Cubs could recall Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to replace the rookie in the rotation.

The Astros announced Monday that Walter has shut down from throwing following a recurrence of left elbow inflammation, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Walter initially went on the 15-day injured list July 25, and after he resumed playing catch earlier this month, he encountered a setback. It's not clear at this point how long he might be shut down, but at this stage of the season, Walter's availability down the stretch is in question. He's been excellent for Houston in 2025, collecting a 3.35 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 52:4 K:BB in 53.2 innings.