MLB Player News

Clevinger's (elbow) next rehab start has been pushed back to next week due to neck stiffness, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Clevinger last pitched with Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday, when he allowed five runs and threw 71 pitches over 4.2 innings. The White Sox are hopeful that he will need just one more rehab start before rejoining their rotation, although that will be dependent on how he looks and feels. Clevinger is targeting 70-to-80 pitches in next week's rehab start.

Boyd (elbow) agreed to terms on a contract with the Guardians on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

It's unclear how much more rehab work Boyd has to do after undergoing Tommy John surgery last June, but the Guardians seem comfortable enough with his progress to bring him in on a major-league deal. The 33-year-old southpaw posted a 5.45 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 71 innings over 15 starts with the Tigers before getting injured last season.

Wicks (oblique) is not expected to return until after the All-Star break, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wicks was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain just under two weeks ago and has not yet been cleared to begin a throwing program. He'll need to be built back up and eventually require a rehab assignment before returning, so the left-hander still looks to be several weeks away.

Cobb (hip/shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Friday and could begin a rehab assignment with Single-A San Jose afterward if everything goes smoothly, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cobb has been trending in the right direction since being shut down in May due to soreness in his right (throwing) shoulder. However, he still needs to build back up to a starter's workload after spending all season on the injured list, so he likely won't return to the Giants' rotation until after the All-Star break.

Harrison (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Harrison resumed throwing on flat ground earlier this week and has now been cleared to try things from the bump. It's been more than two weeks since Harrison made a start, so it's likely he'll be asked to go out on a short rehab assignment once he's deemed ready.

Williams (elbow) yielded one run on three hits and two walks over four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

Williams wasn't very efficient, needing 82 pitches to cover his four frames. The results were impressive, though, as he struck out six, induced 16 whiffs and gave up just one batted ball hit at 95-plus mph. The Guardians have not confirmed any plans for when Williams' season debut for them will occur, but it could be next week, as soon as Tuesday versus the White Sox. Williams has been on the injured list all season with a right elbow problem.

Kremer (triceps) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in his third rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports. He struck out five batters.

Kremer got his pitch count up to 75 and looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list from a workload standpoint, but it's unclear if Baltimore is keen on slotting him back into the rotation while he's largely struggled during the minor-league assignment. The right-hander has posted an 11.42 ERA and 9:4 K:BB over 8.2 innings across his three starts. He's been out since late May with a right triceps strain.

The Cubs placed Assad on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right forearm extensor strain, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The injury has evidently been an issue for Assad off and on for about two weeks, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, which could help explain why he's stumbled in June with a 5.49 ERA after entering the month with a 2.27 mark. With Assad slated to miss at least two turns, Hayden Wesneski is likely to remain in the Cubs' rotation for a while.

Darvish had imaging on his right elbow come back clean Wednesday, though he'll likely get additional imaging "for peace of mind," Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press reports.

Darvish has recovered from a groin injury and was originally expected to come off the injured list to start Tuesday, but that plan was scrapped when he developed inflammation in his right elbow. Initial indications suggested that the issue is minor, and the clean imaging seems to support that, though San Diego will likely be cautious with the veteran hurler's return. It's not yet clear when Darvish will return to action or if he'll need to make any rehab starts given the extension of his absence.

Blackburn (foot) threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Angel Stadium and is set to complete another one Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been making steady progress over the last week-plus, as he's already thrown two bullpen sessions and has seemingly come away from that activity without setbacks. If Saturday's session also goes off without a hitch, Blackburn could progress to facing hitters as the next step in his recovery.