MLB Player News

Manager Craig Counsell said that Gausman is in line to make his first start with the Cubs this weekend in Kansas City, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs will at least temporarily move Colin Rea to the bullpen to clear room in the rotation for Gausman and Clay Holmes (fibula), who were both acquired within the final two days leading up to Monday's trade deadline. Based on the Cubs' current alignment, Gausman appears likely to start Friday's series opener, while Holmes is expected to get the ball Saturday. Gausman went 5-10 and pitched to a 4.38 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 127.1 innings in 23 starts with Toronto this season, but most of his underlying metrics (3.85 SIERA, 3.95 xERA, 3.51 FIP) paint a rosier picture of his performance.

Arrighetti (foot) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Arrighetti landed on the injured list July 25 due to nerve irritation in his right foot, but he's made encouraging progress in his recovery and even said he'd be willing to pitch in Toronto's current series against the Astros -- his former team -- if needed. He won't be eligible to return from the IL until Sunday, however, and the Blue Jays will likely hold off on having him make his team debut until around mid-August.

The Padres optioned Sears to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

Sears will end up losing his spot on the 26-man active roster after the Padres needed to clear room for right-hander Casey Mize, who was acquired from the Tigers on Monday. After being called up from Triple-A on June 23, Sears had started or worked in bulk relief in his first seven appearances for San Diego, logging a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB in 31.2 innings. The 30-year-old lefty had shifted to a more traditional relief role by the end of the past week, as he gave up two runs in a one-inning appearance in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Giants.

Manager Matt Quatraro said that Avila is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Wednesday, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

The 24-year-old was placed on the injured list Sunday due to forearm tightness, and further evaluation apparently revealed a torn UCL. Avila will miss the rest of this year and is also likely to be sidelined for the full 2027 season. He made 21 appearances (12 starts) for Kansas City prior to the injury and had a 5.53 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 61:42 K:BB over 70 innings this season. Avila will likely be shifted to the 60-day injured list in the near future.

Manager Matt Quatraro announced that Kolek is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Wednesday, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

The right-hander headed for a second opinion on his strained right forearm last week and is now set to go under the knife. The full scope of the procedure isn't clear, but if it's standard Tommy John surgery, Kolek will miss the rest of the season and will likely be sidelined for the entirety of the 2027 campaign. In 10 starts for the Royals this year, he posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB across 54 innings.

Manager Aaron Boone said Rodon (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Saturday, likely with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The left-hander threw 40 pitches during a session of live batting practice Monday and should continue building up his workload Saturday. Rodon has been sidelined by elbow inflammation since late June and is likely to require at least a couple starts in the minors before being cleared to rejoin the Yankees rotation.

Taillon will start Wednesday's game against the Astros in Houston, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays are moving to a six-man rotation for the time being, and Taillon looks poised to occupy a spot at least until Spencer Arrighetti (foot) is ready to return from the injured list. In 15 starts with the Cubs this season, Taillon pitched to an ugly 5.92 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 68:27 K:BB across 76 innings. He also surrendered 25 home runs during that span.

Manager John Schneider said that Soriano will make his Blue Jays debut Friday against the Phillies, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Soriano was acquired from the Angels on Monday in a surprising move by Toronto. Under club control through 2028, Soriano fit the team's plans of quickly rebounding into playoff contention next season. Soriano owns a 3.29 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 127:57 K:BB across 123 innings spanning 22 starts this season.

Manager Aaron Boone said that Schmidt (elbow) threw two innings of live batting practice instead of three due to some forearm cramping, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The right-hander will be evaluated further Tuesday night, but Boone indicated that the club is hopeful it's not a serious concern. Schmidt is working his way back from the internal brace procedure he underwent in July of 2025 and is trending toward a return in September, though any further arm issues could quickly sideline him for the rest of the year.

The Brewers optioned Sproat to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Sproat made the Brewers' Opening Day rotation and has shown flashes this season, but the consistency hasn't been there, with the righty turning in a 5.27 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 100:48 K:BB over 95.2 innings. His spot in the Milwaukee rotation will be absorbed by Dustin May, who was acquired at Monday's trade deadline.