MLB Player News

Wicks had to be lifted from Friday's start versus the Cardinals because of right oblique discomfort, Marquee Sports Network reports.

Wicks recorded just five outs before having to be removed. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said during an in-game interview that the pitcher "felt it pretty good," but the team won't know more until after he's examined following the game. Kyle Hendricks replaced Wicks on Friday and is the obvious candidate to move into the rotation if the young southpaw needs to miss time, which seems likely.

Wicks was removed from Friday's start against the Cardinals in the second inning with an injury, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Wicks evidently tweaked something while surrendering a Dylan Carlson single with two outs in the second frame. The left-hander recently returned from a flexor strain, although it's not clear at this point whether that's what he might be dealing with again.

The Mariners optioned Hancock to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

The right-hander was called up for a spot start Thursday against the White Sox, but he won't stick on the big-league roster despite allowing just two runs across seven innings. Hancock has a 4.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB over 41.1 major-league innings this season, and he should be in the mix for a promotion whenever Seattle needs rotation help.

Kershaw (shoulder) completed three simulated innings at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, and he could be ready to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga during the upcoming week, MLB.com reports.

Kershaw's fastball hit 88-89 mph in the sim game, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, which is in the range of his usual velocity over the past three seasons. Manager Dave Roberts proclaimed the future Hall of Famer to be "much further" along in his recovery than initially expected. Kershaw will almost certainly need to log multiple rehab starts, and the Dodgers are very unlikely to rush him back, but the southpaw could be ready to make his season debut sometime in July.

Wicks is slated to start Friday's game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

Wicks worked out of the bullpen in last Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Reds following his return from the 15-day injured list, but he'll slot back into the rotation for Friday's series opener after Ben Brown (neck) landed on the IL. Given that he covered 3.1 innings and 52 pitches in his relief outing last weekend, Wicks should be fairly stretched out. Over his five starts prior to landing on the IL in late April, Wicks went 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB across 23 innings.

Lorenzen (4-3) picked up the win over the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and one walk over seven innings. He struck out two.

Lorenzen kept the Dodgers' offense at bay for most of the contest and allowed only one extra-base hit on the night, a solo shot off the bat of Andy Pages in the seventh inning. The right-hander was able to get through seven frames for just the second time this season while logging his second win in his last three starts. It also marked the first time in Lorenzen's last eight starts that he didn't walk multiple batters. On the downside, he's posted just a 3:3 K:BB over his last two outings.

Mahle (elbow) threw 30-to-40 pitches in a live batting practice session Thursday, Kenndi Landry of MLB.com reports.

This was Mahle's second live BP session, and he faced Josh Jung (wrist) in this one. Texas manager Bruce Bochy said afterward that the right-hander showed good command and velocity. He'll take a week off before throwing more live BP, then Mahle will go on a rehab assignment. He won't be an option for the Rangers' rotation until after the All-Star break.

Canning (2-7) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over six innings while striking out three.

Canning got himself into trouble early after allowing two of the first three batters to reach base, which Christian Walker would capitalize on with a three-run shot to left field. The right-hander would allow only two hits from that point on, though one of those hits was a second long ball by Walker, putting Los Angeles in a 4-0 hole. Canning had not allowed more than three runs in any of his last seven outings coming in and Thursday marked only the third time this season he's surrendered multiple home runs. He has, however, managed to go at least six innings in three consecutive starts.

Pfaadt (3-5) earned the win over the Angels on Thursday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over six innings while striking out eight.

Pfaadt allowed the leadoff man to reach base in two of his first three innings, but escaped unscathed via double plays on each occasion. He would then surrender an RBI single to Mickey Moniak in the fourth before going on to log his seventh quality start of the campaign. The right-hander has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last six outings, going 2-2 over that stretch. Pfaadt's also recorded at least seven strikeouts in four of his last six starts.

Hancock allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one batter over seven innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Thursday.

Hancock was called up from the minors Thursday morning so that he could make his first MLB start in over a month. The right-hander rose to the challenge, tossing seven innings for the first time this season and limiting Chicago to a pair of third-inning runs. As usual, strikeouts weren't a big part of his outing -- he has just 24 punchouts across 41.1 big-league innings this season -- but he nonetheless picked up his fourth quality start. Hancock could remain in the rotation if Bryan Woo (forearm) is forced to miss additional time, but that may not happen given that Woo's MRI on Wednesday came back clean.