MLB Player News

McCullers said Friday that he has no structural damage in his right elbow or forearm, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Despite that assurance, McCullers still has not resumed throwing after being shut down July 9. However, manager Joe Espada said the right-hander may be able to restart a throwing program within the next several days depending on how he feels. McCullers hasn't pitched in an MLB game since 2022 and still figures to be at least several weeks away from a potential return to the Astros.

Garcia (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Saturday will mark Garcia's first time throwing off a mound since July 4, as the Astros opted to pull him off his rehab assignment following a rough outing in Double-A. He will likely need to throw a few additional mound sessions before resuming his rehab stint, at which point he'll require multiple starts as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Buehler (hip) will face hitters this weekend and then will return to Los Angeles to work with the Dodgers' coaching staff, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Buehler appears to be fully recovered from the right hip inflammation that forced him to the injured list June 19, but his return date remains murky. He's been continuing his throwing program at a private pitching facility, making his return to Los Angeles noteworthy. Once he's back with the team, there should be more clarity on when Buehler will be activated.

Ray (elbow) will throw five innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Friday's outing is likely Ray's final rehab start before being reinstated from the injured list. If that's the case, the veteran southpaw could pitch during a four-game road series against the Dodgers early next week. Hayden Birdsong is the most likely candidate to lose their rotation spot once Ray is activated, although the team could opt to use a six-man rotation temporarily considering the Giants have a stretch of 11 games in 10 days coming out of the All-Star break.

After throwing a simulated game Friday at Dodger Stadium, Glasnow (back) said that he thinks he will start Wednesday against the Giants, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Per Stephen, Glasnow threw 58 pitches across three simulated innings to Jason Heyward (knee), Gavin Lux and James Outman, and the 31-year-old righty doesn't appear to need a rehab assignment prior to returning to the Dodgers' rotation. Before landing on the 15-day injured list July 9 due to lower back tightness, Glasnow was 8-5 over 18 starts with a 3.47 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 109 innings.

Anderson (elbow) will start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Saturday's outing will be Anderson's first at the Triple-A level and the fifth start of his rehab stint. The 26-year-old has been recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in April 2023 and worked up to 46 pitches in his last rehab outing. Anderson will likely only require one or two more starts before being activated, although it's not clear if Atlanta has a spot for him in the big-league rotation.

Rasmussen (elbow) will make his first rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rasmussen began the season on the 60-day injured list after undergoing an internal brace procedure in July of 2023. He started throwing bullpen sessions in May, and the 28-year-old right-hander is ready to take the next step in his rehab program. Rasmussen should return to the majors in early August and work out of Tampa Bay's bullpen down the stretch, but he remains in the team's rotation plans for 2025, per Evan Closky of 10 Tampa Bay.

Springs (elbow) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

In his last rehab outing July 14, Springs gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out three across 4.2 innings. While it was the worst outing of his rehab stint, he built up to 77 pitches (51 strikes), so he appears to be nearing the end of his recovery from Tommy John surgery. After converting to full-time starting duty with the Rays in May 2022, Springs posted a 9-5 record with a 2.46 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 144:31 K:BB across 135.1 frames, so he could make for an appealing pitcher to stash in shallower leagues where he might still be available on the waiver wire.

Glasnow (back) threw a simulated game Friday at Dodger Stadium, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Glasnow faced hitters for the first time since being placed on the injured list July 9 due to lower back pain, throwing roughly 60 pitches per Stephen. The 30-year-old will become eligible to return from the IL early next week, and he could start during a four-game series against the Giants that begins Monday. Glasnow has posted a 3.47 ERA with a 143:29 K:BB across 109 innings this season.

Senzatela (elbow) completed a bullpen session Friday and is nearing a live batting practice session, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Senzatela has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery performed last July. The right-hander will likely throw multiple BP sessions before being sent out on a rehab assignment. A timeline for his return should become clearer once he's ready for game action.