MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Yamamoto (triceps) is on track to return from the 60-day injured list and rejoin the Dodgers rotation sometime in mid-September, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Roberts noted that he was impressed with Yamamoto's stuff during his two-inning simulated game Wednesday, and the right-hander will get stretched out to three innings when he throws another sim game next week. Assuming everything goes smoothly, he will then head out on a minor-league rehab assignment to continue building up to a starter's workload.

The Rangers list Gray as their scheduled starter for Saturday's game in Cleveland.

Gray returned from the injured list Tuesday after missing nearly a month with a groin strain, but because he didn't go out on a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand and wasn't fully stretched out, the Rangers opted to bring him back in a relief role. After Gray tossed two innings and 27 pitches out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Pirates, the Rangers are ready to welcome him back in the rotation this weekend, though he could be on a somewhat limited pitch count. Gray will be taking over the rotation spot that had previously belonged to Tyler Mahle (shoulder), who was placed on the IL on Tuesday.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Glasnow (elbow) has yet to begin playing catch, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The skipper added that Glasnow likely won't be activated once he's eligible to come off the injured list Aug. 31, but the team's concern is still relatively low. A clearer return timeline for the 30-year-old right-hander may emerge once he's able to begin a throwing program.

Schmidt (lat) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Friday at Double-A Somerset, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The Yankees are targeting 50 pitches for Schmidt in the rehab outing, which comes after he gradually raised his pitch count over four live bating practice sessions. Schmidt looks like he'll be given the opportunity to get stretched back out for a starting role, but it's not clear if the Yankees will be able to open up a spot in the rotation for him once he eventually makes his way back from the 60-day injured list. Luis Gil (back) looks on track to return from the 15-day IL slightly before Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman has bounced back from a rough start to the second half with two straight strong starts to help solidify his spot at the back end of the rotation.

Wicks (oblique) struck out four while allowing one hit and no walks over four scoreless innings in his rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Iowa.

After being tagged for 10 earned runs while walking four batters in 3.2 innings over his first two rehab starts with Iowa, Wicks showed much improved command and control Tuesday while informing the Cubs afterward that he "felt great" during the outing, per Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com. After building up to 53 pitches Tuesday, Wicks will need at least one more outing in the minors to get fully stretched out before he returns from the 60-day injured list. Kyle Hendricks would seem to be most at risk of losing his spot in the rotation once Wicks is activated.

Heaney allowed five hits and a walk over five scoreless innings in a no-decision Wednesday against Pittsburgh. He struck out eight.

It was a strong rebound effort from Heaney after the southpaw surrendered seven earned runs over nine innings in his previous two starts. However, Heaney failed to come away with a win, as the Rangers couldn't get a run across until the bottom of the ninth. Overall, Heaney's 4-13 on the year with a 4.04 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 131:36 K:BB across 129.1 innings. He'll look to build on Wednesday's outing in his next start, which projects as an enticing road matchup against the White Sox.

German allowed three hits and four walks over six scoreless innings in a no-decision Wednesday against the Rangers. He struck out four.

Making his first start this season, German was excellent, blanking the Rangers over six frames despite allowing at least one baserunner in five frames. The 31-year-old right-hander has allowed just two runs through 12 innings this year with the Pirates, posting a 1.00 WHIP with eight strikeouts. However, with Jared Jones (lat) nearing a return, German figures to head back to a swingman role in Pittsburgh.

Verlander (3-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.

Verlander looked a little rusty early in his first start since June 9, allowing a run in both of the first two innings. However, the 41-year-old Verlander would rebound to blank the Red Sox over his final three frames, retiring 10 straight batters to finish his outing before departing having thrown 76 pitches. Verlander now sports a 3.92 ERA across 62 innings this year with a 1.19 WHIP and 57:18 K:BB. He's currently in line for a tough road matchup with the Phillies in his next start early next week.

Criswell didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Astros, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

Criswell was sharp Wednesday, blanking Houston over 3.2 innings after Alex Bregman led off the first with a home run. However, the right-hander came an out shy of qualifying for a win, as he was pulled in the fifth after throwing 80 pitches. Still, it's an encouraging bounce-back effort from Criswell, who gave up six runs in just 3.1 innings in his last outing against Baltimore. Overall, he's 5-4 on the year with a 1.34 WHIP and 61:22 K:BB across 79.2 innings. It's worth monitoring to see if Criswell will be allowed to work deeper into his next start, currently scheduled for next week at home versus Toronto.

The Angels selected Cueto's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Cueto owns a 3.09 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 23.1 innings with Salt Lake since signing a minor-league deal with the Angels in July. However, he accumulated a 6.02 ERA over 52.1 frames during his time with the Marlins last year and will be making his season debut Wednesday against a high-scoring Royals offense. Hans Crouse was optioned to Triple-A in order to clear space on the active roster.