MLB Player News

DeGrom (elbow) with throw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Thursday at Globe Life Field, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

It will be deGrom's first time facing hitters since he underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2023. Assuming it goes well, the right-hander will then progress to a two-inning live batting practice session early next week, which could be the final box he needs to check before being cleared to begin a rehab assignment. DeGrom will need multiple rehab starts before rejoining the Rangers' rotation.

Medina (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday in Arlington, Texas, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

Since the Tommy John surgery is the first known elbow procedure of Medina's career, he should have a good chance at returning to pitching in games in 12-to-14 months, provided he experiences no setbacks in the rehab process. The timing of the surgery nonetheless means that Medina will be sidelined through most, if not all, of the 2025 season. Medina turned in a 5.18 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 40 innings over his eight starts with Oakland before being shut down with a right elbow sprain in mid-July and eventually going under the knife.

The Twins will recall Varland from Triple-A St. Paul to start one of the games during Friday's doubleheader versus the Guardians, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Bailey Ober will also make a start for Minnesota during the twin bill, and the club has not yet made a decision on the order in which the two arms will appear. Varland holds a 1.19 ERA and 27:9 K:BB over 22.2 innings covering his last four starts at St. Paul.

Stroman's next scheduled start has been pushed back to Sunday against the Rangers as he works through some mechanical issues, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Stroman's next turn would have been Friday, but the Yankees will give him a couple extra days as he irons some things out with his delivery. The right-hander has posted a 7.56 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over his last six starts and lasted just 2.2 innings his last time out versus the Blue Jays. Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole will each move up a day to start on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The Rays reinstated Rasmussen (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Rasmussen is expected to vie for a spot in the Tampa Bay rotation in 2025, but he'll be operating as a reliever down the stretch of the current season while he makes his return from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July. Though Rasmussen had a pair of Tommy John surgeries on his resume before he underwent his latest elbow operation last summer, he didn't seem to have much trouble regaining velocity or control during his rehab assignment. Over his five appearances at Triple-A Durham, Rasmussen gave up seven runs on 11 hits over 7.1 innings, but his 8:0 K:BB was encouraging. He's expected to operate as a one- or two-inning reliever for the Rays and will likely be eased back in with low-leverage work, though he could eventually push for usage in higher-leverage spots.

The Angels recalled Kochanowicz from Double-A Rocket City on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Kochanowicz will serve as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, giving the Angels an option for long relief. The big right-hander has been walloped for 12 runs (11 earned) over seven innings in his two starts with the big club this season.

The Rays will activate Rasmussen (elbow) from the 60-day injured list prior to Wednesday's game in St. Louis, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rasmussen has completed the long rehab from an internal brace procedure on his right elbow and is slated to serve as a one- or two-inning reliever for the Rays down the stretch, per Topkin. The right-hander allowed seven runs over 7.1 innings during his minor-league rehab assignment but also had an 8:0 K:BB and touched the upper-90s with his fastball. While the Rays will manage Rasmussen's workload in the final two months as a reliever this season, the plan is for him to return to a starting role in 2025.

Bibee (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday and could be cleared to start Sunday in Minnesota, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Bibee's last start came July 29, when he gave up two runs over six innings in a win over the Tigers. He experienced right shoulder discomfort coming out of that outing, and while he's now missed more than a week, Bibee seems to have shown some improvement in recent days and still looks poised to avoid a stint on the injured list. After playing catch earlier in the week, Bibee will take another major step forward in the recovery process when he steps back on the mound Thursday. Assuming Bibee experiences no renewed discomfort after the bullpen session, he should be on track to rejoin the rotation Sunday, though he could be operating under some light restrictions.

Falter didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Padres, allowing two hits while striking out one over two scoreless innings.

Falter allowed just a pair of singles Tuesday before the game entered a nearly three-hour rain delay, which forced Pittsburgh to turn to the bullpen to start the third inning. Falter's been serviceable for the Pirates this year, going 5-7 with a 3.87 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 65:28 K:BB across 19 starts (97.2 innings). The left-hander is currently slated to make his next start this weekend on the road against the Dodgers.

Cease didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Pirates, striking out two and allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

Cease made quick work of the Pirates in the first inning, working around a Rowdy Tellez two-out double. However, the game would then be delayed for nearly three hours before the bottom of the second, forcing San Diego to go to the bullpen. Cease has been excellent of late, allowing just one earned run in his last 28.2 innings. Overall, he's 11-8 with a 3.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 176:43 K:BB in 24 starts this year. Cease currently lines up for a road matchup with the Marlins this weekend, though he could appear sooner, as the right-hander should be well rested after throwing just 14 pitches Tuesday.