MLB Player News

Luzardo (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Luzardo began his throwing program in mid-June and has now progressed to throwing off a mound. The left-hander has been sidelined nearly two months with a forearm strain, so he'll likely require multiple rehab starts in the minors before being cleared to join the big-league rotation.

Kikuchi was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a neck strain.

Kikuchi struggled in his start Tuesday at Oakland, allowing four earned runs across 2.1 innings. There was no indication that he dealt with an injury during the game, though he'll now be sidelined until after the All-Star break. The team has not announced a replacement in the rotation, but Thomas Hatch recently made an unsuccessful spot start for the big-league club while Max Castillo was recalled to fill Kikuchi's spot on the roster.

Miley (shoulder) played light catch Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

This is at least the second time that Miley has thrown since being placed on the injured list June 11. However, he still needs to ramp up his intensity and will likely require at least a short rehab assignment before being activated. Given that, he almost certainly will not be back prior to the All-Star break and early August could be a more realistic target.

Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis following the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Reds.

Contreras picked up his third win of the season during Thursday's matinee by allowing a run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven in six innings. However, he'll head back to the minors after left-hander Eric Stout was recalled to provide an extra arm in the bullpen during the nightcap. Contreras has performed relatively well during his major-league tenure this year, so it seems likely that he'll be back with the Pirates soon.

Detmers will likely start Friday's game against the Orioles, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The Angels need somebody to fill a rotation spot for Friday's matchup in Baltimore after Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list, and Detmers will likely rejoin the active roster after being sent down in late June. He allowed just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out 14 in six innings during a start at Triple-A Salt Lake on June 29, and he'll be pitching on full rest if he ultimately takes the mound for the Angels in Baltimore.

Lorenzen was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to July 4, due to a right shoulder strain.

It's unclear exactly how long Lorenzen has been dealing with the injury, though he's struggled across his past three starts with a 9:11 K:BB and 16 earned runs allowed over 11 innings. According to Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic, the 30-year-old is scheduled to undergo an MRI, the results of which should provide an indication of whether or not he'll spend more than the 15-day minimum on the shelf.

Sanchez is scheduled to pitch as either a starter or bulk reliever in Sunday's game in St. Louis, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

He'll be awarded a second straight turn through the rotation after he acquitted himself well Tuesday in a home matchup with the Nationals. Sanchez struck out only two of the 18 batters he faced, but he rolled to an easy victory while blanking the Nationals over five innings and allowing two hits and two walks in the Phillies' 11-0 win.

Bradish (shoulder) will report to Double-A Bowie for a rehab start Saturday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander threw a simulated game this week, which proved to be the final hurdle before he embarked on a minor-league rehab assignment. Bradish hasn't pitched in the majors since June 18 due to shoulder inflammation, but he may be able to rejoin Baltimore's starting rotation after only one rehab outing.

Eovaldi (back) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Eovaldi threw live batting practice Tuesday, and his fastball reached 96 mph during the session. In spite of his encouraging performance, he'll require at least one appearance in the minors prior to rejoining Boston's rotation. The Red Sox haven't yet revealed how many rehab appearances the right-hander needs, but it's possible he's able to make a start in the majors before the All-Star break, which begins July 18.

Whitlock (hip) is slated to make a 1-to-2-inning rehab appearance for Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora has already said that Whitlock will be deployed out of the bullpen upon returning from the 15-day injured list, so the right-hander may only need one or two appearances in the minors prior to being activated. Tanner Houck and John Schreiber have emerged as the top options at the back end of the bullpen, but Whitlock could still see the occasional save chance while serving as a multi-inning, high-leverage relief arm.