MLB Player News

Kelly (shoulder) will throw a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) will throw a four-inning simulated game the same day and could join the Diamondbacks' rotation next week. Kelly is behind him, but it doesn't appear by much. A return for the right-hander by mid-August looks doable if all goes well. He's been out since late April with a right shoulder strain.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Rodriguez (shoulder) could make his season debut next week in Cleveland, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Rodriguez is slated to throw a four-inning simulated game Wednesday, and it sounds like that could be his final test before joining Arizona's rotation. The left-hander has been out all season with a left shoulder injury and has not made any rehab starts, so his workload and sharpness next week would be a bit of a mystery.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that Gray (groin) could miss up to a month of action, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gray tweaked his groin during warmups and had to be scratched from Sunday's scheduled start versus the Blue Jays before officially landing on the 15-day injured list Monday. It's not clear what grade the strain is, but it's evidently bad enough that the Rangers aren't expecting him back for several weeks. Dane Dunning, Jose Urena and Cody Bradford are options to fill Gray's rotation spot for now, but the Rangers are expected to get Tyler Mahle (elbow) back soon and Jacob deGrom (elbow) hopefully not long after that.

Bloss was scratched from his scheduled start Monday against the Pirates, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Bloss has made two starts for the Astros since being activated from the injured list July 11, covering eight innings while allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits and two walks. The Astros haven't provided an explanation for why Bloss was scratched from the start, and he may still be available out of the bullpen if Houston elects to have a reliever serve as its opening pitcher for the game.

The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Rodriguez had seemingly earned some leash in the Blue Jays rotation with how well he had pitched lately, having come into Monday's start against the Orioles with a 2.01 ERA and 25:8 K:BB over 22.1 innings in his first four starts this month. However, he lasted only two-thirds of an inning against Baltimore, yielding four runs (three earned) on one hit, four walks and a hit-by-pitch. While that poor outing has cost Rodriguez his roster spot for now, he should be back with the big club in August.

The Reds activated Spiers (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus the Cubs.

Spiers will rejoin the rotation after missing the last two weeks of action with a right shoulder impingement. The right-hander didn't make a rehab start, so it's possible his workload will be a bit limited Monday. Spiers holds a 3.86 ERA and 41:9 K:BB over 47 innings with the Reds this season.

Lopez is considered day-to-day after an MRI on his right forearm Sunday came back negative, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Lopez exited Sunday's start versus the Mets with right forearm tightness, but Atlanta is hopeful that it won't need to place him on the 15-day injured list. Additionally, the club hasn't even ruled out the right-hander making his next scheduled start, which would fall this weekend against the Marlins. It's some much-needed good news for a team that's dealt with more than its share of bad news lately.

The Pirates activated Falter (triceps) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

While the Pirates haven't yet announced their plans for Tuesday's game in Houston, Falter should be lined up to start if he isn't needed out of the bullpen in Monday's series opener. The left-hander has been out since early July with left triceps tendinitis, but he should be reasonably stretched out for starting duties after throwing 60 pitches during his lone rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis last Wednesday.

Martin will move into the White Sox's starting rotation after Erick Fedde was traded to the Cardinals on Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Martin made a 2.2-inning relief appearance Saturday versus the Mariners in what was his first outing at the big-league level since he had Tommy John surgery in May 2023. He was a starter prior to the elbow operation, and he made seven starts at Triple-A Charlotte before being called up Saturday, maxing out at four innings and 64 pitches. The White Sox will be careful with Martin's workload down the stretch, but he will be auditioning for a spot in the 2025 rotation.

Elder is expected to be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Tuesday in Milwaukee, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While Atlanta hasn't yet announced a starter for Tuesday's contest, Elder was spotted in the team's clubhouse prior to Monday's game. With Max Fried (forearm) not eligible to return from the injured list until next week and Reynaldo Lopez's (forearm) status up in the air, Elder could be needed for additional starts with the big club beyond Tuesday.