Sasaki (shoulder) will begin a rehab a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Sasaki threw three simulated innings Friday without any issue, and he is ready to take the next step in his throwing program by starting a rehab assignment. Three innings is the target for the right-hander, who has been on the shelf since mid-May due to a right shoulder impingement. Sasaki will likely need at least three rehab starts before he's ready to be activated from the IL. In his eight starts prior to his injury, Sasaki posted a 1-1 record with a 4.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 24:22 K:BB across 34.1 innings.

Sasaki (shoulder) tossed three simulated innings against hitters Friday at Dodger Stadium, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Sasaki hurled 46 pitches in the session and touched 97 mph with his fastball, per Plunkett. The latter number is particularly promising, as the rookie right-hander is now right around the velocity he displayed prior to going on the injured list in mid-May. According to Sonja Chen of MLB.com, Sasaki could next begin a minor-league rehab assignment if he comes out of Friday's session without any issues, though it's also possible he could be asked to throw another live bullpen. Chen also relays that manager Dave Roberts indicated the team wants to see Sasaki be more confident in his delivery.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Cole (elbow) could be close to throwing, Peter Sblendorio of the New York Daily News reports. "I think it's soon," Boone said, "but I don't have an announcement."

Cole also stated Friday that he is scheduled to begin throwing this month and even said he has a tentative date in mind, though he didn't share what that date is. The veteran hurler underwent Tommy John surgery with internal bracing in mid-March and isn't going to pitch in games this season, though if he is indeed able to resume throwing in the relatively near future, it would increase optimism about his ability to be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign. At this point, however, it's up in the air whether Cole will have progressed enough by Opening Day 2026 to be on the mound for the Yankees.

Yarbrough (oblique) will face hitters either in a live bullpen session or in a minor-league rehab game Sunday, Peter Sblendorio of the New York Daily News reports.

Yarbrough landed on the injured list June 22 due to a right oblique strain. He was shut down from throwing until mid-July and has since been working his way back, advancing to bullpen sessions in late July and tossing his first live session this past Thursday. Manager Aaron Boone indicated Saturday that Yarbrough could throw in a minor-league game with Double-A Somerset on Sunday, but that it's more likely the lefty hurler will toss another live bullpen. In either case, Yarbrough is on track to be ready for activation in late August or early September.

Perez (elbow) allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out two across four innings in his rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Perez made his second rehab start as he works his way back from the left flexor tendon strain that landed him on the injured list in mid-April. The veteran southpaw didn't allow a hit until the third inning, and he was able to escape a bases-loaded jam in the fourth after yielding a run on a balk. Perez will make at least one more rehab start at Triple-A before returning from the IL, likely at some point in the back half of August.

Alexander will start in Sunday's series finale against the Yankees, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Even with Cristian Javier (elbow) and other Houston starters nearing a return from the injured list, Alexander will get at least one more turn in the rotation. In five appearances (four starts) with the Astros this season, Alexander has a 2-1 record with a 3.16 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 25.2 innings.

Misiorowski (tibia) threw roughly 60 pitches over three innings during a simulated game Saturday, Sophia Minnaert of FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin reports.

Saturday marks the first time Misiorowski has faced live hitters since he landed on the injured list Sunday with a bruised tibia. The Brewers haven't planned out next steps for the righty flamethrower, but he seems to still be on track for a return to the rotation when eligible Friday.

The Athletics placed Severino on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left oblique strain.

Severino gave up three earned runs over six innings Tuesday en route to securing his fourth consecutive win, but he appears to have come away from his last start with oblique problems. He'll now miss at least two turns through the rotation, and the A's will promote Hogan Harris from Triple-A to fill the open roster spot.

The Padres reinstated King (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list prior to his start Saturday against the Red Sox.

King landed on the injured list in late May with a right shoulder thoracic nerve impingement. He resumed pitching in minor-league games last weekend but was met with struggles, coughing up six earned runs on four hits, a walk and an HBP while striking out five batters over 3.1 innings. Despite his poor results, the Padres liked what they saw from him enough to feel comfortable activating him after just one rehab outing. He'll now be welcomed back to the majors by a Red Sox offense that has posted a .734 OPS since the All-Star break. Sean Reynolds was optioned to Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move.

Montas will pitch in bulk relief behind Reed Garrett during Saturday's game against the Brewers, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Montas has struggled often during the first inning this season, so the Mets will delay his appearance by three outs in an effort to maximize his effectiveness. The 32-year-old has given up 12 earned runs over 8.1 innings across his last two starts, however, so he still isn't a recommended fantasy option while he matches up against the hottest team in baseball.