MLB Player News

Herz is slated to start Sunday's game against Atlanta at Nationals Park, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The rookie will get a tough draw in his second MLB start, as he'll not only oppose a formidable Atlanta offense in a hitter-friendly environment, but he'll also be matching up head-to-head with one of the National League's top pitchers in Max Fried. After getting called up from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Herz took a loss in his big-league debut against the Mets last week, giving up four earned runs on seven hits and two walks over four innings.

Woodford is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Red Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

The White Sox called Woodford up from Triple-A Charlotte last week to fill the opening in the rotation that was created by Mike Clevinger's (elbow) placement on the 15-day injured list. Woodford's White Sox debut wasn't a memorable one -- he gave up three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings in a May 28 loss to the Blue Jays -- but he'll get at least one more turn through the rotation while the team waits on Clevinger's return.

Arrighetti (calf) said after Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Cardinals that he expects to make his next turn through the rotation, which is expected to fall Monday in San Francisco, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. "It's not bad," Arrighetti said of his injury. "I think I'll be just fine."

Arrighetti was lifted from his start Tuesday after just three innings with a left calf contusion, though he actually suffered the injury in question during the second inning, when he was struck by a 103.8-mph line drive off the bat of Ivan Herrera. Fortunately for both Arrighetti and the Astros, he looks to have avoided a major injury, though manager Joe Espada suggested that a decision on whether the rookie right-hander makes his next turn will hinge on him being able to finish his delivery when he pitches, as he uses his left leg as his plant leg.

Kershaw (shoulder) is expected to pitch a two-inning simulated game Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw tossed one inning against live batters Saturday and appears to have come out of that session well given that he will next progress to throwing two simulated frames. Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that the future Hall of Fame hurler is "way ahead of schedule," but the skipper also implied that Kershaw is likely still "about six weeks" away from being ready to join the big club, per Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com. Kershaw himself has declined to establish a timeframe for his return from the 60-day injured list, though mid-July is looking like a reasonable expectation.

The Reds optioned Ashcraft to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Ashcraft got off to a decent enough start this season, but things unraveled for him over the last month, as he posted a 6.83 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB over 27.2 frames covering his last six starts. It's not yet clear how the Reds plan to fill his spot in the rotation, but shifting the versatile Nick Martinez back to a starting role is an option. Brandon Williamson (shoulder) remains on the 60-day injured list but is another candidate to fill the void, as he made the fourth start of his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Louisville, tossing four scoreless innings.

Cavalli (elbow) hasn't pitched since May 30, but the Nationals are simply giving him some rest before the final push in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. "Just giving himself a little break, a little breather," manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday. "He's been pushing himself pretty hard. We're still ahead of the game a little bit. We just want to ease up a little bit."

The 25-year-old right-hander underwent the procedure in March 2023, and the organization is making sure he'll be fully recovered when he finally comes off IL. Cavalli has struck out 10 batters in 5.1 innings over his first two rehab appearances, one in the Florida Complex League and one with High-A Wilmington, but the Nats have yet to set a date for his next start. He's expected to join the big-league rotation before the end of the month.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that the decision to push Bradish's next start back isn't related to health concerns, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Cade Povich was called up from Triple-A Norfolk to start Thursday versus the Blue Jays in what would have been Bradish's turn, but the move was designed simply to give Bradish extra rest. Hyde wasn't ready to commit to when Bradish would make his next start, however, as the Orioles haven't confirmed any of their four starters for their upcoming series with the Rays that begins Friday. Bradish could take the ball one of those days, but having his turn skipped entirely is also a possibility. The right-hander has been excellent overall since coming off the injured list in early May, but he stumbled his last time out, allowing five runs over just 2.2 innings in a no-decision against the Rays last Saturday.

Allen is listed as the Guardians' probable pitcher for Friday's game against the Marlins in Miami.

Allen had been in line to work as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen behind opener Nick Sandlin in Wednesday's game against the Royals, but that contest was ultimately postponed due to inclement weather. Rather than pushing Allen's next outing back a day to Thursday's series finale, Tanner Bibee will stay on turn in the rotation and start against Kansas City. Allen is thus set to take the hill for the series opener in Miami, and barring a late change from manager Stephen Vogt, the southpaw looks poised to handle a traditional starting role rather than working behind an opener.

Schwellenbach (0-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Red Sox, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

It was a tough day for Schwellenbach, who allowed three runs in the second inning and another three in the fifth en route to his second loss in as many starts. The 24-year-old right-hander has now allowed nine runs through his first 9.2 innings with Atlanta after pitching to a 2.21 ERA across eight starts between High-A Rome and Double-A Mississippi. If Atlanta elects to keep Schwellenbach in the majors for another turn in the rotation, he'd currently line up for a road matchup in Baltimore early next week.

The Orioles selected Povich's contract from Triple-A Norfolk ahead of his start Thursday against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Povich will be making his major-league debut Thursday as the Orioles give the other members of their rotation some extra rest. The rookie left-hander isn't necessarily guaranteed another start with the big club beyond Thursday, but he could certainly earn additional chances if he pitches well against the Blue Jays. Povich has put up a 3.18 ERA and 75:21 K:BB over 56.2 innings covering 11 starts this season with Norfolk.