MLB Player News

Gausman (6-6) earned the win Thursday over the Guardians, allowing just two hits and a walk over eight scoreless innings. He struck out six.

It was a stellar bounce-back effort from Gausman, who gave up seven runs in 4.1 innings during his last start against the Diamondbacks. It's the third time that Gausman's made it through eight innings this season. He lowered his ERA to 4.21 with a 1.06 WHIP and 90:25 K:BB across 16 starts (94 innings). The veteran right-hander will look to build on Thursday's outing in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Yankees.

Manaea (oblique/elbow) played catch Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It's the first time he's thrown since he was given a cortisone shot after being diagnosed with a loose body in his left elbow. Manaea had to pause his rehab assignment briefly after the elbow issue popped up, but he's on track to make what is expected to be his final rehab start next week. The left-hander initially went on the injured list prior to Opening Day with an oblique strain and could make his 2025 Mets debut prior to the All-Star break.

Sheehan struck out 13 batters over six perfect innings Wednesday for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

This was a statement start from Sheehan in Sacramento, as he was optioned down last week after a strong four-inning outing for the big club. He won't be eligible to be recalled until the middle of next week, but the Dodgers don't have an off day from July 1 through July 9, so they could find a spot to use him. Sheehan threw 123.1 innings in 2023 before needing Tommy John surgery in May 2024. He has logged 21.1 innings thus far in 2025 between the majors and minors.

Snelling allowed three hits over seven scoreless innings for Double-A Pensacola on Wednesday, striking out seven without issuing a walk.

The 21-year-old southpaw seems to have turned a corner since a rough stretch in late April and early May in which he walked 13 batters over 9.2 innings. Over six starts since then, Snelling has compiled a much tidier 35:5 K:BB in 35.1 innings, along with a 2.80 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. He's knocking on the door of a promotion to Triple-A, and given the injuries that have wracked the Marlins' rotation, a big-league debut in 2025 can't be ruled out if he continues to display improved control and command.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that McCullers (foot) is an "option" to start Saturday versus the Cubs, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McCullers did some pitchers' fielding practice Thursday as he returns from a right foot sprain and it "went well," per Espada. As long as the pitcher bounces back well Friday, it sounds like he'll skip a rehab assignment and rejoin the rotation Saturday, which is the first day he's eligible.

Yesavage allowed one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings for Double-A New Hampshire on Wednesday. He struck out eight.

After giving up five runs in 6.2 innings during his first two Double-A outings, Yesavage found his rhythm again, firing 49 of 75 pitches for strikes and flashing the form that has seen him race through the Blue Jays' system in 2025. Over 62.1 innings across three levels, the 21-year-old righty sports a 2.45 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 104:27 K:BB, and if he strings together more performances like this one, another bump up to Triple-A could be coming later this summer.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Scherzer's right thumb "feels better today" following his start Wednesday against the Guardians than it did following the pitcher's final rehab start, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer threw 83 pitches (eight more than he did in his last rehab outing) Wednesday in Cleveland and said he could've thrown 10 more, if needed. It's good news, as both Scherzer and the Blue Jays weren't sure how the thumb was going to respond. As long as the thumb continues to bounce back well, Scherzer will be allowed to keep increasing his workload moving forward.

Sykora has been promoted from High-A Wilmington to Double-A Harrisburg, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Sykora got a late start to the season while recovering from hip surgery, but he's been utterly dominant across three levels since returning to action, posting a 1.11 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 70:11 K:BB over 40.2 innings covering 10 starts. The 21-year-old went six innings in his last start for just the second time in his pro career and is ready to test himself at the Double-A level for the first time. Sykora has emerged as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball.

The Cubs activated Imanaga (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Imanaga is set to rejoin the Cubs' rotation Thursday with a start in St. Louis after being out since early May with a strained left hamstring. The left-hander threw 72 pitches and went 4.1 innings in his final rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa, so he's likely to have a somewhat limited workload against the Cardinals.

Povich (hip) is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Povich has been shelved since mid-June with left hip inflammation but has been cleared to pitch in a rehab game. If all goes well, the southpaw might require just the one rehab start before rejoining the Orioles' rotation next week against the Rangers.