MLB Player News

Wacha (shoulder) threw live batting practice Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Wacha faced hitters Monday for the first time since landing on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation in early June. The right-hander is scheduled to face hitters once again Saturday before beginning a rehab assignment at some point afterward.

Small was called up from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Small will return to Milwaukee for the first time since making his major-league debut May 30, when he allowed two runs over 2.2 innings against the Cubs. The left-hander owns a 3.34 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 81 strikeouts over 72.2 frames in 15 starts with Nashville. Small is expected to start Tuesday versus the Twins, replacing Jason Alexander as the No. 5 option in the rotation.

Seabold (forearm) will throw a live batting practice session at Fenway Park on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Michael Wacha (shoulder) is also scheduled to face hitters Monday, as both injured pitchers look to be at the same spot in their respective rehab programs. Boston will have a spot available in the rotation for Wacha once he's ready to return from the 15-day injured list, but Seabold is more likely to be optioned to Triple-A Worcester once he's reinstated. Boston currently has only four healthy starting pitchers on the active roster, but Josh Winckowski (illness) looks on pace to return from the COVID-19 IL on Tuesday, while Wacha and/or Rich Hill (knee) could both be activated before or at a similar time as Seabold.

Milone logged 2.1 innings out of the bullpen in a loss to the Astros on Sunday, allowing two earned runs on a hit and three walks while recording a strikeout.

The veteran left-hander had recently been moved back to the bullpen, and Sunday's uneven performance may have partly been the result of Milone last having pitched July 13. The 35-year-old is likely to continue primarily seeing multi-inning relief assignments, which could certainly set him up to qualify for the occasional decision or hold.

Kikuchi (neck) covered five scoreless innings and struck out four in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Buffalo. He scattered two hits and three walks in the outing.

The Blue Jays have yet to officially announce Kikuchi's next step, but since the veteran southpaw turned in quality results in his rehab outing while building up to 77 pitches, he should be ready to re-enter the rotation when the big club requires a fifth starter during their four-game series with the Tigers later this week. Though a potential matchup with a punchless Detroit offense is a good one for Kikuchi, he's been difficult to trust from a fantasy standpoint when healthy this season. Over 16 starts with Toronto, Kikuchi owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 74:41 K:BB across 65 innings.

Keller did not factor into the decision against the Marlins on Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking none over six innings.

Keller threw 51 of 74 pitches for strikes in the contest, but left the game with his team down by one. The righty has strung together some solid games in July, with three quality starts in a row including Sunday's outing. After lasting six innings once throughout April and May, Keller has six such games since the start of June. Not only does he seem to have a longer leash, but he is also pitching better. Keller has a 2.88 July ERA and has lowered his season ERA to 4.55, the lowest it has been all year.

Alcantara did not factor into the decision against Pittsburgh on Sunday, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out 10 and walking three over six innings.

Alcantara left the game with the Marlins up 3-2, but he did not factor into the decision as the Pirates ended up tying the game, taking it into the 10th inning. Alcantara threw 70 of 105 pitches for strikes and had double-digit strikeouts in a game for the third time this month. The righty has allowed just four earned runs in 29 innings this month, good for a 1.24 July ERA. He will take a 1.81 season ERA into his next appearance.

Bello (0-2) took the loss against Toronto on Sunday, allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out two and walking two over four innings.

Bello was yanked after giving up five earned runs across four frames Sunday. The young righty threw 41 of 67 pitches for strikes but allowed 11 baserunners and struck out just two batters. George Springer and Cavan Biggio were also able to swipe second base while he was on the mound. Bello has had a rough rookie campaign so far. In 12 innings, he has allowed 14 earned runs, although none have come via the long ball. Bello has a bloated 10.50 ERA, but could still continue to pick up starts for the Red Sox with so many of their starters on the shelf.

Stripling did not factor into the decision against the Red Sox on Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out one and walking one over four innings.

Stripling threw 38 of 62 pitches for strikes, allowing Jarren Duran and Franchy Cordero to cross the plate before he was pulled. Stripling has gone beyond five innings three times in 14 games as a starter this season and was limited to four frames against Boston. He also tallied just one strikeout in the game, his lowest total since a one-out, zero-strikeout save May 28. The righty should continue to see starting opportunities with multiple pitchers on the IL for Toronto and will take a 3.10 ERA into his next appearance.

Gomber covered 3.2 innings in relief in Sunday's 10-9 loss to the Brewers, giving up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out three.

With starter Chad Kuhl getting chased from the game midway through the third inning, Gomber stepped in to give Colorado some much-needed length out of the bullpen. While he did well to keep the Brewers' bats at bay, Gomber looks like he'll have to settle for a bullpen role for now with Colorado content to give Jose Urena a trial as their No. 5 starter.