MLB Player News

Birdsong was optioned to Single-A San Jose on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Birdsong put together a stellar start Sunday against the Rockies, fanning 12 while allowing two runs over six frames, but he'll return to the minor leagues for now. Slusser notes that the right-hander's assignment to the affiliate geographically closest to San Francisco likely means he'll be back with the big-league club as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies. The impending return of Alex Cobb (hip) and Robbie Ray (elbow) could squeeze the rookie out of the Giants' rotation plans after this weekend, however.

Miller is expected to make at least one more start with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Miller was optioned to Triple-A on July 10 after struggling to a 9.87 ERA over four starts following a two-month stretch on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. The 25-year-old threw five scoreless innings against Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, allowing three hits and four walks while striking out four batters. It's unclear how long Miller could remain in the minors, but manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Miller would return to the major-league roster at some point. "I don't know when, but we are counting on it," Roberts said.

Buehler (hip) will throw a bullpen session Monday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said he had a positive conversation with Buehler following his time away from the club while on the mend from right hip inflammation. While there's no set plan for the next steps in Buehler's recovery, the right-hander is expected to make a couple rehab starts following Monday's side session.

Canning (elbow) is expected to draw the start Wednesday on the road against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Canning appears to be alright after reporting that he was dealing with irritation in his right elbow in Friday's loss to the Athletics. The 28-year-old has failed to reach five innings on the mound in any of his last three starts, giving up 12 runs over 12 frames in those outings. He'll look to get back on track against Seattle, who he threw 6.1 innings of one-run ball against June 2.

Jones (lat) threw off flat ground up to 120 feet Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jones has started up a throwing progression just under three weeks after landing on the injured list with a Grade 2 right lat strain. While it's encouraging sign that the 22-year-old is throwing again, Jones is likely to be ramped up slowly and deliberately with his long-term health in mind. A clearer target date for Jones' return from the IL probably won't be known until he reaches the point in his rehab where he's facing hitters, but fantasy managers should prepare for his absence to stretch into August, at the very least.

The Angels optioned Kochanowicz to Double-A Rocket City on Monday.

Kochanowicz's first stint in the big leagues wasn't promising, as he was torched for 12 runs (11 earned) over seven innings in his two starts. The big right-hander will return to Rocket City, with whom he's turned in a 4.55 ERA and 79:23 K:BB over 91 innings in 2024.

Blach is expected to start Tuesday against the Red Sox in place of the injured German Marquez (elbow), Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Blach will be available in relief Monday, if needed, but the Rockies hope to be able to hold him back for Tuesday's start. The left-hander has split his time between the rotation and bullpen this season, collecting a 5.46 ERA and 32:13 K:BB over 59.1 innings covering 16 appearances (nine starts). Blach hasn't thrown more than 39 pitches in an outing in more than a month, so he won't be fully stretched out Tuesday.

Matz (back) is hoping to return sometime in August, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The left-hander threw his second bullpen session Saturday since resuming a throwing program. Matz has been on the injured list since May 3 due to a lower-back strain and had to be pulled off his initial rehab assignment in June following a setback. He'll need another rehab assignment before returning, at which point a timeline for his return should become clearer.

Bradford (rib/back) is scheduled to make a two-inning appearance out of the bullpen for Double-A Frisco on Tuesday in his next rehab outing, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Bradford began his rehab assignment Friday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, throwing one scoreless inning while striking out one batter. He'll shift his rehab program to Frisco as he continues to work his way back from a lower-back strain and stress fracture in his rib, injuries he sustained in mid-April. Bradford turned in a 3-0 record, 1.40 ERA and 0.62 WHIP over his three starts with the Rangers before landing on the injured list, but he'll serve as a multi-inning option out of the Texas bullpen once he's activated.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that deGrom (elbow) is "getting close" to facing hitters, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

DeGrom will throw around 40 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday and is slated for another bullpen session Friday. It sounds as if he should be cleared to face hitters after that, and Bochy added Monday that he anticipates deGrom needing three live batting practice sessions before being cleared for a rehab assignment. Given that timeline, it would seem as though deGrom won't be ready for his season debut until late August, at the earliest.