MLB Player News

Matz (shoulder) is scheduled to make the third start of his rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Memphis, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

According to Denton, the Cardinals had considered bringing Matz back from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's series finale in Atlanta, but the organization's brain trust ultimately decided he was better off getting stretched out in the minors for one more outing. After he worked three innings and tossed 45 pitches his last time out for Memphis on Saturday, he'll be aiming for around four innings and 60 pitches Thursday. He'll report back to St. Louis following the start to be re-evaluated, and if the Cardinals are satisfied with the condition of his shoulder, he should be activated and re-enter the rotation during the final week before the All-Star break.

Mahle said Wednesday that his shoulder injury is "not concerning at all," Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mahle was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain Wednesday, and he underwent an MRI that revealed some non-concerning irritation and inflammation. The right-hander will be shut down for 5-to-7 days to allow his shoulder to heal, but he expects to be back in action shortly after the All-Star break.

Bassitt (illness) is listed as the Mets' probable starter for Friday's game against the Marlins, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Manager Buck Showalter said early this week that Bassitt wouldn't be back in action until at least Thursday, but the right-hander looks like he'll be ready to return from the COVID-19-related injured list for the second game of the home series against the Marlins. Bassitt recorded a 4.70 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 30.2 innings over his five starts prior to landing on the IL.

The Mets reinstated Peterson (personal) from the paternity list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Reds in Cincinnati, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Peterson was away from the team for the maximum three days while observing the birth of his child, but he hadn't been in line to start in any of the Mets' games during that stretch anyway. He'll return to the mound on his normal four days' rest after he delivered one of the best starts of his career last Friday, when he struck out a season-high 10 batters while giving up three earned runs across six innings in a win over the Rangers.

Montas was diagnosed with inflammation but no structural damage to his right shoulder after undergoing an MRI on Tuesday, but he won't be available to make his next turn through Oakland's rotation, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Due to an off day Thursday, the Athletics wouldn't have to replace Montas in the rotation until the second game of their series with the Rangers next week. For now, Montas looks like he'll avoid a trip to the injured list, though those plans could change if his shoulder doesn't respond as well as hoped to the cortisone shot he received Wednesday. Montas tentatively lines up to return to the rotation for the Athletics' final series of the first half next weekend in Houston. Through his first 17 starts this season, Montas has compiled a 3.26 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 100:24 K:BB in 96.2 innings, but he's been saddled with a 3-9 record due largely to poor support from his offense.

Mahle was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain Wednesday, retroactive to July 3.

Mahle was scheduled to start the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Pittsburgh, but he'll be sidelined through the All-Star break after landing on the injured list. It's not yet clear who will take the right-hander's place in the rotation or when he'll be cleared to rejoin the Reds. Mahle posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 17.2 innings over his last three appearances.

Gausman (ankle) is unlikely to be ready to start Thursday's series opener with the Mariners, though he hasn't been ruled out from pitching Sunday's series finale in Seattle, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Gausman's inability to throw a bullpen session Tuesday likely closed the door on him starting Thursday, but he hasn't been shut down entirely, as he's expected to play catch Wednesday. The Blue Jays will evaluate Gausman during the workout before potentially allowing him to throw off a mound Thursday or Friday, which would keep him in the mix to start Sunday, according to Davidi. Casey Lawrence was called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, and if he's not needed in relief in the Blue Jays' series finale in Oakland, he would likely be the top candidate to fill in for Gausman on Thursday, per Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star.

Bello was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Bello will make his major-league debut as the starter during Wednesday's series finale against the Rays following a strong showing in the minors to begin the year. The right-hander is among Boston's top prospects and has posted a 2.33 ERA, 114:33 K:BB and 1.02 WHIP in 85 innings over 15 appearances (14 starts) between the Double-A and Triple-A clubs this season. Since several of Boston's starters are dealing with injuries, Bello should have a chance to draw additional starts if he performs well Wednesday.

Tigers general manager Al Avila said Wednesday that Rodriguez (personal) hasn't been in communication with the club since landing on the restricted list June 13, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. "We reached out, but he hasn't reached out back. We're just kind of waiting it out...it is unusual. But we have no choice but to wait and see what develops as we move forward," Avila said.

When Rodriguez was placed on the restricted list to tend to a personal matter, the Tigers relayed that the southpaw wouldn't have a timeline for a return, but the expectation was that he would remain in touch with the team in some capacity. The fact that Rodriguez isn't actively keeping in contact with Tigers officials could hint at some potential friction between player and team, as Avila might not have made these public comments if the two sides were on the same page. At any rate, fantasy managers shouldn't count on Rodriguez being ready to go coming out of the All-Star break, as he'll likely need at least few weeks to ramp back up regardless of when he rejoins the Tigers. Before being moved to the restricted list, Rodriguez was on the cusp of returning from the 15-day injured list after he had been sidelined since late May with a left rib cage sprain.

Cubs manager David Ross said Hendricks will be placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right shoulder strain, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hendricks will miss his final two turns through the rotation before the All-Star break after sustaining the injury in Tuesday's win over the Brewers, but he'll be eligible to come off the IL when the Cubs open their second-half schedule July 22 in Philadelphia. It's not yet clear if the veteran right-hander will be ready to go by then, as his availability coming out of the All-Star break will hinge on how much progress he makes in his rehab and throwing program over the next two weeks. He previously avoided the IL last June but still went 13 days between starts after experiencing shoulder fatigue, so it's possible the Cubs take a more conservative approach with his recovery this time around. Hendricks joins five other starting pitchers on the IL, though both Marcus Stroman (shoulder) and Drew Smyly (oblique) appear close to being activated, and either of the two could be an option to replace Hendricks' next turn in the rotation Sunday in Los Angeles.