MLB Player News

Kikuchi (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, per MLB.com.

Kikuchi has so far been limited to playing catch, but that's tangible progress as he looks to work his way back from left shoulder inflammation. If the veteran hurler moves forward without any setbacks, he could rejoin the Angels' rotation after the All-Star break. Kikuchi posted a rough 5.81 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 31 innings spanning seven starts before landing on the injured list in early May.

The Cardinals will skip May's turn in the rotation Saturday against Miami while he manages back tightness, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

May has been dealing with lower-back tightness since tossing a complete-game shutout against the Padres on June 15, which may have played a factor in him getting roughed up for six-runs in a two-inning start versus Kansas City on Sunday. Delaying the 28-year-old's next appearance will give him extra time to heal and move Andre Pallante up a day to start Saturday on four days' rest.

Sandlin (2-1) earned the win against the Royals on Friday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six innings.

Making his first major-league appearance since June 7, Sandlin was spotted an early lead and rode it to his second career quality-start victory. In 19.1 innings with the White Sox, the 25-year-old owns a 6.05 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB. With Noah Schultz (knee) expected to reclaim his rotation spot next week, this was likely just a spot start for Sandlin.

Spence (0-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Friday, allowing 10 runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 1.1 innings.

Spence was recalled to handle bulk-relief duties due to Stephen Kolek being placed on the paternity list, and Spence was charged with 10 runs in a nightmare third inning. The 28-year-old has surrendered 22 earned runs in just 9.1 major-league innings this season and will likely be sent back to Triple-A Omaha upon Kolek's return.

Martinez (7-2) earned the win against the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Martinez surrendered a solo homer in the first inning but cruised from there, throwing 62 of 85 pitches for strikes and falling one out shy of a quality start. Other than a six-run blowup June 3, the 35-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 15 of 16 outings this season. He'll carry a 2.66 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB across 94.2 innings into a road matchup with the Royals next week.

Gallen (3-7) took the loss against the Rays on Friday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He did not record a strikeout.

Four of the five runs Gallen allowed came via the long ball, including a three-run homer off the bat of Junior Caminero in the first inning. While Gallen was able to work deep into the game, the 30-year-old generated just one swinging strike on 86 pitches and has now registered four or fewer strikeouts in six straight outings. He'll take a 6.15 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 52:27 K:BB across 86.1 innings this season into a home matchup with the Giants next week.

Thornton did not factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Phillies, allowing one run on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over six innings.

Making just his second career major-league start, Thornton allowed a run in the first inning before settling in with five scoreless frames. He threw an impressive 54 of 78 pitches for strikes with 13 whiffs while logging his first career quality start. The rookie southpaw likely earned himself another turn in the Mets' rotation, which would line him up for a road matchup against Atlanta next weekend.

Wheeler (8-1) earned the win against the Mets on Friday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts over seven innings.

Wheeler allowed a run in the fourth inning but was otherwise fantastic, generating 14 swinging strikes on 98 pitches and limiting the Mets to one extra-base hit. The 36-year-old has now yielded two earned runs or fewer in each of his five June outings while logging four quality starts during that stretch. For the year, he owns a 2.03 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 74:19 K:BB across 75.1 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Pirates next week.

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that there's a chance Taillon (hamstring) will return from the injured list before the All-Star break, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs initially believed that Taillon would be out through the break when he landed on the injured list with a strained left hamstring, but he's been ahead of schedule in his rehab. Counsell noted that the right-hander would make just one brief start if he were to pitch again in the first half, but his return would still be well-received by a Cubs team that currently has five starting pitchers on the injured list.

Rodriguez (back) will make a rehab start Sunday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After recently being placed on the injured list June 15, Rodriguez will make his return to a competitive setting Sunday. The 26-year-old recently threw off flat ground in the bullpen Sunday. Manager Kurt Suzuki said that it is possible this is the one and only rehab start that Rodriguez makes before rejoining the big-league club.