MLB Player News

May is expected to be sidelined 12 months after undergoing right flexor tendon and UCL reconstruction revision surgery Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Reports heading into Wednesday had already suggested that May was getting his flexor tendon repaired, but the UCL revision of his previous Tommy John surgery is new information. With the operation being more invasive than expected, May is expected to be sidelined for a full year, putting his estimated return date roughly around the All-Star break next season.

Sale (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session this weekend, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

He threw a bullpen session Tuesday, his first since down with a stress reaction in his left scapula. Sale will likely need two live batting practices after that before eventually progressing to a rehab assignment. The veteran left-hander is tracking toward a return to the Red Sox rotation by early August, although he still has some hurdles to clear in order for that to happen.

Woodford (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Woodford landed on the injured list in late June with a right shoulder strain, which is the second stint he's had on the IL this season with a shoulder issue. There's no timetable for the swingman's return.

Wainwright (shoulder) expressed optimism about his health following a bullpen session Tuesday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Wainwright received two cortisone injections in his shoulder and back after landing on the injured list earlier this month with a right shoulder strain. He's felt dramatically better since then, including Tuesday during his first mound work since the injury. The 41-year-old will throw a live batting practice session early next week, which he hopes will be used in place of a rehab start. A return in late July or early August is looking realistic.

Rea is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Rea's role coming out of the All-Star break was somewhat in flux since Milwaukee had five other healthy starting pitchers available, but the right-hander will ultimately stick in the rotation after Wade Miley (elbow) was unexpectedly placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday. The Brewers are optimistic that Miley will be in store for a minimum-length stay on the shelf, but that could still provide enough time for Rea to stake his claim to a more permanent rotation spot over Julio Teheran and/or Adrian Houser if he can deliver one or two quality starts. Rea has worked at least 4.2 innings in each of his last nine outings with Milwaukee while picking up five wins and posting a 4.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.

Valdez (calf) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Greg Rajan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

If he comes out of the session without any issues, Valdez will be cleared to start Friday in Oakland. The left-hander had to make an early exit from his last outing Saturday versus the Angels due to a cramp in his left calf. Valdez registered 13 strikeouts in the start before exiting.

The Phillies announced Wednesday that Painter (elbow) has been recommended for Tommy John surgery.

Painter is set to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Monday for a surgical consultation, and assuming ElAttrache agrees with the assessment made by the Phillies' medical staff, the young right-hander will presumably have his Tommy John surgery performed at some point later this month. The 20-year-old was first diagnosed with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow back in early March. While he appeared to be making strides in his recovery at some points during his rehab, he had a setback while facing hitters earlier this month and looks like he'll ultimately require surgery. An operation would prevent the top prospect from pitching at least until late 2024 and perhaps not until 2025.

Wells (7-5) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over two innings against the Dodgers. He struck out two.

It was the shortest outing of the year for Wells in his first start out of the All-Star break, as the Dodgers put up a five spot in the second inning. The loss ended an impressive run for Wells, who'd logged quality starts in five of his previous six outings, posting a 2.97 ERA over that span. Overall, the 28-year-old right-hander sports a 3.54 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP and 105:26 K:BB across 18 starts (106.2 innings) this season. Wells is currently lined up for another tough matchup this weekend against the Rays in Tampa Bay.

DeSclafani did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits over two innings in an 11-10 win over the Reds. He struck out five.

DeSclafani was victimized by the home run ball in his return from a shoulder injury, as he allowed a pair of two-run shots to Jake Fraley and Will Benson in just two innings of work. On a positive note, DeSclafani did have the strikeout pitch working, with five of his six outs coming on Ks. The veteran right-hander has struggled after a solid start to the season, pitching to a 6.44 ERA over his last 12 outings. Overall, he's 4-8 with a 4.72 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 77:18 K:BB across 18 starts (95.1 innings) this season.

Elder didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 16-13 loss to the Diamondbacks, surrendering seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and a walk over 2.2 innings. He struck out four.

His defense did him no favors, but Elder also wasn't sharp and need 76 pitches (49 strikes) to record just eight outs. The 24-year-old right-hander has been tagged for 12 earned runs in six innings during his two starts bracketing the All-Star break, pushing his ratios up to a 3.31 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, likely to come this weekend in Milwaukee.