MLB Player News

The Yankees plan to activate German (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list to start the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Astros, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.

Jordan Montgomery will take the hill for the opening game of the twin bill before the Yankees turn to German in Game 2 for what will be the latter pitcher's season debut with the big club. German was placed on the 60-day injured list in mid-March after he had shoulder troubles crop up during his offseason throwing program, but the right-hander was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in late June and looks to be back to full health. He ended his rehab assignment on a high note last weekend, tossing six scoreless innings in a 65-pitch outing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Though the Yankees likely won't want to push German past 80 or 90 pitches Thursday, the 29-year-old looks like he'll have some temporary security as the team's No. 5 starter while Luis Severino (lat) is likely sidelined until at least early-to-mid-August.

The Astros recalled Bielak from Triple-A Sugar Land and designated him as their 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader with the Yankees, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bielak has been working as a swingman for Sugar Land this season, but he'll be available as a multi-inning option in relief for either end of Thursday's doubleheader. The right-hander is expected to report back to Sugar Land immediately following the twin bill.

The Yankees recalled Sears from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated him as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader in Houston.

Sears will be available as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for both ends of the twin bill before likely returning to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday. Though the Yankees have an opening in the rotation with Luis Severino (lat) recently landing on the injured list, the team is expected to turn to Domingo German (shoulder) -- who is on the 60-day IL but is ready for activation -- rather than Sears when a fifth starter is needed for the first time coming out of the All-Star break.

The Diamondbacks designated Keuchel for assignment Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Keuchel caught on with the Diamondbacks after he was DFA'd by the White Sox earlier this year, but he will once again find himself a free agent after he likely clears waivers following his removal from the 40-man roster Wednesday. The left-hander owns a 8.53 ERA and 2.03 WHIP with 38 strikeouts over 50.2 innings in 12 starts with Chicago and Arizona this season.

Rodon (finger) is listed as the Giants' starting pitcher for Thursday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Following his most recent start last Thursday against the Brewers, Rodon relayed that he was dealing with a blood blister and a split nail to a finger on his pitching hand. Though neither issue was viewed as a major concern, Rodon still chose to err on the side of caution by withdrawing from Tuesday's All-Star Game and using the break to heal up. He appears to be feeling fine as the Giants begin their second-half schedule, as the team could have pushed his next start back to later in the four-game series with the Dodgers if there was truly any worry about his health.

Milone is expected to work out of the bullpen to begin the Mariners' second-half schedule, as Seattle intends to call up George Kirby from Triple-A Tacoma to take the hill when a fifth starter is first needed Tuesday against the Rangers, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The veteran lefty had already made his last appearance before the All-Star break out of the bullpen, though he had been deployed as the primary pitcher behind an opener in a July 13 doubleheader matchup with the Nationals. Milone will now serve in a more traditional relief role following the break, with most of his opportunities likely to come in mop-up situations.

Mahle (shoulder) is in line to come off the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Just as manager David Bell suggested would be the case shortly before the All-Star break, Mahle will be ready to step back into the rotation for the Reds' first series of the second half after spending close to the minimum amount of time on the shelf with a minor right shoulder strain. With the Reds safely out of contention for the playoffs, the team could be open to making Mahle available via trade ahead of the Aug. 2 deadline if the price is right. Mahle, who will be arbitration-eligible for a final time in 2023, has logged a 4.48 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 17 starts this season, but most underlying metrics (3.85 SIERA, 3.20 xERA) paint a rosier picture of his performance to date.

McCullers (forearm) is scheduled to make a rehab start Friday for Double-A Corpus Christi, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.

McCullers is expected to toss two innings Friday in San Antonio in what will mark his first game action since October, when he exited in Game 4 of the Astros' ALDS matchup with the White Sox due to forearm discomfort. Given the length of his absence, the right-hander will need to make multiple starts during his rehab assignment while gradually upping his pitch count. He could be ready to make his return from the 60-day injured list at some point around mid-August.

The Brewers optioned Alexander to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

After making starts in his first two appearances of the month for the Brewers, Alexander was deployed in a bulk-relief role in his final outing before the All-Star break in Sunday's loss to the Giants. He struggled mightily while working out of the bullpen, giving up seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings. The Brewers aren't certain to get Adrian Houser (elbow) back from the 15-day injured list by the time the team next requires a fifth starter July 26 versus the Twins, so prospect Ethan Small could be a candidate to get a call-up from Nashville to fill Alexander's spot in the rotation.

DeGrom had his simulated game pushed back from Tuesday to Thursday after he experienced mild soreness around his shoulder Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Though the soreness cropped back up Sunday, deGrom was able to play catch Monday and Tuesday without any renewed discomfort. DeGrom appears to have steered clear of setback, as the Mets relayed that his simulated outing was pushed back "out of an abundance of caution." Even so, the two-day delay in what was expected to his final tune-up session before returning from the 60-day injured list will likely take him out of the mix for making a start this weekend against the Padres. DeGrom could be ready to make his season debut at some point next week, assuming the Mets are comfortable plugging him into the rotation without sending him out for another minor-league rehab start beforehand.