MLB Player News

McCullers (forearm) threw a two-inning sim game Tuesday in Anaheim, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers threw 37 pitches, and he is scheduled to throw another two-frame outing Saturday. The team will re-evaluate the next step in his recovery after his latter throwing session. Though it's unclear exactly when it may begin, McCullers appears to be closing in on a rehab assignment.

Sears was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Reds.

The left-hander was called up by the Yankees in early July and covered 3.2 frames in long relief Wednesday after starter Luis Severino was removed with a shoulder injury. Sears had given up only one run across 15.1 innings entering the contest, but Cincinnati scored two runs against him. The 26-year-old could be an option to step into the rotation should Severino be forced to miss any time.

Gallen allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five across 6.2 innings Wednesday against the Giants. He did not factor into the decision.

Gallen entered Wednesday's start having allowed 13 earned runs across his last 16 innings, but he managed to hold the Giants scoreless for six innings. His outing was spoiled a bit after he allowed three of the five hitters he faced in the seventh frame to reach base. Despite the late struggles, he left the game in line for a win and recorded 13 of his 20 outs via strikeout or groundout. Overall, Gallen has a 3.56 ERA and a 89:28 K:BB across 93.2 innings for the season.

Ryan allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out three across 5.1 innings Wednesday against the Brewers. He did not factor into the decision.

Ryan surrendered a solo home run to Jace Peterson to account for his only earned run. He was otherwise effective, though he wasn't particularly elusive -- he induced eight swinging strikes on 78 total pitches -- and also walked more than two batters for the first time in his last seven starts. For the season, Ryan owns a 2.99 ERA and 66:22 K:BB across 75.1 frames.

Wacha (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Wacha landed on the 15-day injured list last week with shoulder inflammation, so his quick return to mound work is an encouraging sign. The veteran right-hander will be eligible to be reinstated shortly after the All-Star break, and it's possible he's able to do so without the need for a minor-league rehab assignment.

Ashby allowed one earned run on six hits and three walks while striking out five across 4.1 innings Wednesday against the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.

Ashby limited the damage against him effectively, and he has now allowed only three earned runs across his last 9.1 innings in the span of two starts. However, in order to record 13 outs Wednesday, Ashby had to throw 101 pitches -- only 58 which went for strikes. Ashby has shown flashes of effectiveness as a starter this season, but he'll have to improve his control to get more consistent results, as he has walked more than three batters in six of 11 starts on the campaign. Overall, Ashby owns a 4.37 ERA with a 81:32 K:BB across 68 frames for the season.

Hill (knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The veteran left-hander returned to throwing off flat ground last week after a brief shutdown due to the knee sprain, and he'll progress to mound work Thursday. Hill landed on the shelf July 2 with the injury, and it's unclear if he'll require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the Red Sox's rotation after the All-Star break.

Skubal (6-8) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits across six innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Royals. He had no walks and struck out five.

Skubal allowed two runs across six innings in his last start five days ago, but Wednesday's outing was more in line with other recent results. The lefty has now allowed four earned runs or more in his five of his last eight starts. During that stretch, Skubal has seen his ERA climb from 2.15 to 4.11. His early-season success seems to be a distant memory, but he'll look to revert back to that form in his next scheduled appearance July 21 against the Athletics following the All-Star break.

Lopez pitched five innings, surrendering one run on one hit and four walks with three strikeouts in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Pirates. He did not factor into the decision.

Lopez was effective Wednesday, limiting the Pirates to just one run that came home on a Ben Gamel RBI single in the top of the fifth frame. Lopez has now surrendered four runs over 16.1 innings in his last three starts after he gave up five runs to the Cardinals on June 27. The strong stretch has lowered his ERA to 2.86 over 104 innings in 18 starts this season. Lopez will head into the All-Star break with a 6-4 record, and he's tentatively expected to pitch again July 21 against the Rangers.

Brubaker pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up three hits and two walks while striking out nine in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Marlins. He did not factor into the decision.

Brubaker was able to produce his best outing of the campaign Wednesday, blanking the Marlins over seven frames while registering nine strikeouts for the third time this season. The five total baserunners were his lowest total allowed since May 7 and the seven innings matched his longest outing of the year. Brubaker has now allowed three or fewer runs in six of his last seven outings, lowering his ERA from 4.70 to 4.02 over that stretch.