MLB Player News

Plesac will start Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

After posting a quality start in his Angels debut Monday, Plesac will get another turn through the rotation as a fill-in for Jose Soriano (abdomen), who's on the 15-day injured list. Though Plesac delivered decent results in his first start for the Halos, he was far less reliable over 13 outings at Triple-A Salt Lake (5.42 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB in 74.2 innings) earlier this season and doesn't make for a reliable streaming option against a tough Dodgers lineup.

Kershaw (shoulder) will make his second rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kershaw made his first rehab outing with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out five over three innings. His fastball reached 90 miles per hour, which was right around his velocity during the 2023 regular season. Kershaw will need multiple rehab outings before joining the Dodgers' rotation, which could happen around the All-Star break in mid-July.

Bradford (rib/back) will throw a bullpen session Friday and then be sent to the Rangers' Arizona Complex League affiliate, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Bradford has been sidelined since April with a lower-back strain and a stress fracture in his rib. However, he's been making steady progress and will continue his recovery in Arizona. While it's unclear when Bradford will start facing hitters, a return to the big-league staff shortly after the All-Star break seems feasible.

Burrows (elbow) had his rehab assignment transferred from the rookie-level Florida Complex League to Single-A Bradenton on Friday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Burrows continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery in April 2023. He made his first rehab outing in the FCL on Monday, when he gave up three runs on one hit and two walks over 1.1 innings. Burrows is expected to start for Bradenton early next week.

McCullers (forearm) is scheduled to throw 25 warmup pitches Saturday and then sit down to mimic a break between innings before re-taking the mound, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Saturday's session will be McCullers' first up-down since undergoing surgery last June. He's expected to simulate one more up-down before the Astros consider having the right-hander face hitters. McCullers appears to be on track for an August return.

The Brewers activated Junis (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

After winning a spot in Milwaukee's Opening Day rotation, Junis made only one start before being placed on the IL with a pinched nerve in his throwing shoulder. A few weeks later, his recovery was delayed after he was hit in the head by a ball during batting practice. Two months later, Junis will finally return to Milwaukee's active roster after he covered 4.1 innings over two rehab appearances with Triple-A Nashville before throwing a four-inning simulated game earlier this week. The right-hander is expected to work out of the bullpen as a long-relief option for now before eventually re-entering the rotation. Bradley Blalock was optioned to Double-A Biloxi in a corresponding move.

The Dodgers recalled Knack from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Knack was named the starter for Friday's game against the Angels after Yoshinobu Yamamoto was placed on the injured list Sunday due to a right rotator cuff strain. Over 10 appearances in the minors this season, Knack has a 3.54 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 52:20 K:BB over 48.1 innings. His last start in the majors was against the Reds on May 19, when he allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five over 4.2 innings. To make room for Knack, the Dodgers optioned right-hander J.P. Feyereisen to Oklahoma City.

Quintana (3-5) earned the win against the Cubs on Friday, allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Quintana allowed an unearned run in the first inning but cruised from there with plenty of run support, as the Mets scored 11 runs in the first four frames. The southpaw surpassed the season-high six strikeouts he recorded June 15 in his last outing, and he registered his second consecutive victory and quality start. On the season, Quintana owns a 4.58 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 58:26 K:BB over 78.2 innings and lines up to face the Astros next week.

Imanaga (7-2) took the loss to the Mets on Friday, allowing 10 runs on 11 hits and one walk with three strikeouts over three-plus innings.

Imanaga was hit hard early and often, surrendering six runs on three home runs in the first two innings and another run in the third. He was unable to record an out in the fourth frame and was charged with three more runs, resulting in the worst outing of his major-league career. In total, Imanaga allowed 11 hard-hit balls, and the velocity on each of his pitches was at least one mph below his season averages. Imanaga's ERA rose from 1.89 to 2.96 with a 1.10 WHIP and 81:12 K:BB over 79 innings. He'll look to rebound in a matchup with the Giants next week.

The Padres optioned Mazur to Triple-A El Paso following Thursday's game against the Brewers.

The move corresponds with southpaw Tom Cosgrove being recalled from Triple-A El Paso. Mazur was called up to the Padres' rotation June 4 due to Yu Darvish (groin) landing on the injured list. Over his four major-league starts, Mazur has an 0-2 record with a 7.27 ERA and 1.96 WHIP, and he has failed to make it through five innings over his last three starts. The 23-year-old right-hander hasn't had it much better in Triple-A this year, posting a 7.11 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 19 innings.