MLB Player News

Bieber (elbow) built up to 78 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Andres Soto of MLB.com reports.

The veteran righty allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings while striking out six, continuing a tantalizing run that has seen him post a 3.06 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and stellar 23:2 K:BB over 17.2 rehab innings since the All-Star break. The Blue Jays want Bieber to make one more rehab start before they debut their big trade-deadline acquisition, with manager John Schneider indicating his target workload will be 85 pitches. The team has yet to decide whether it will move to a six-man rotation when Bieber is activated from the IL, but Schneider seems to be against it. "You don't want to have that long of a layoff [between starts]," he said Saturday. Bieber hasn't pitched in the majors since April 2, 2024, his last outing with the Guardians before undergoing Tommy John surgery, but it appears as though he'll be ready to handle a regular workload right away once he's activated.

Brown is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brown was moved to the bullpen after the Cubs acquired Michael Soroka ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, but Brown will temporarily move back into the rotation after Soroka strained his right shoulder in his team debut during last Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds and landed on the injured list. In that same game, Brown came on in long relief and struck out five over four innings, so he should be stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload Tuesday. Brown may be in line for just one turn through the rotation, as Jameson Taillon (calf) and Javier Assad (oblique) are both in the midst of rehab assignments and could be ready to return from the IL the next time a fifth starter is needed.

Lodolo (finger) played catch Sunday, MLB.com reports.

After landing on the injured list Tuesday due to a blister on his left index finger, Lodolo has now resumed throwing. He's eligible for activation Aug. 20, but Lodolo still has multiple checkpoints to hit in his recovery from the blister before rejoining the Cincinnati rotation.

The Angels optioned Kochanowicz to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Kochanowicz's second demotion of the season comes after he was lit up for seven runs (six earned) on nine hits and two walks over three innings in Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Tigers. The right-hander now holds a 3-10 record to go with a bloated 6.19 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 107.2 innings in the majors this season, so he may need to have an extended run of success at the Triple-A level before he receives another look in the Los Angeles rotation. Carson Fulmer tossed five innings of long relief behind Kochanowicz on Sunday and could be a candidate to replace the latter in the rotation the next time the Angels require a fifth starter. Victor Mederos and Sam Aldegheri have also been pitching well recently for Salt Lake and Double-A Rocket City, respectively, and could also merit consideration for the open spot in the big-league rotation.

Forret was promoted to Double-A Chesapeake on Sunday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Forret will make a much-deserved jump to Double-A after registering a 1.51 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 59.2 innings in 16 appearances, including 15 starts, with High-A Aberdeen this season. The 21-year-old will now look to continue his impressive campaign with Chesapeake.

The Marlins optioned Gusto to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

Gusto was appointed from Triple-A to serve as the Marlins' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with Atlanta and drew the start in the first game of the twin bill. He made a strong impression in his Marlins debut, taking a loss but striking out eight and limiting Atlanta to three runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. Though Gusto will head back to Triple-A, he could be the Marlins' top choice for a call-up if a spot in the rotation opens up at any point in the next few weeks.

Marquez (biceps) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Marquez has been throwing bullpen sessions for a week and is now prepared to take the next step in his recovery. He has been sidelined since July 21, meaning a rehab assignment is likely, but the team has yet to give a timeline for Marquez to return.

Imanaga (8-5) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out nine without walking a batter over 6.2 innings, taking the loss versus the Cardinals on Sunday.

While Imanaga was stingy with baserunners, the Cardinals took advantage of their limited chances. Pedro Pages tagged Imanaga for a two-run home run in the third inning and Nolan Gorman added the decisive hit, an RBI single, in the seventh. Imanaga has a pair of quality starts to begin August, allowing four runs over 13 innings with 16 strikeouts and no walks so far this month. He's at a 3.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 79:17 K:BB through 96 innings over 17 starts this season. The southpaw's next start is projected to be at home versus the Pirates.

Gray (11-5) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Sunday.

Gray has opened August with a pair of strong starts, allowing just three runs (two earned) over 14 innings while racking up 15 strikeouts. Matt Shaw's two-run home run in the fifth inning was the only damage on Gray's line in this contest. Gray is now at a 4.06 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 148:22 K:BB through 135.1 innings over 24 starts this season. The veteran right-hander's next start is projected to be at home versus the Yankees.

France (shoulder) struck out three batters and surrendered two earned runs on two hits and three walks over 3.2 innings in his rehab start Friday for Triple-A Sugar Land.

For the first time over his four rehab starts, France reached the fourth inning while building up to 63 pitches. While working his way back from last summer's surgery to address a right shoulder capsule tear, France has struggled to regain control of his offerings. He's recorded more walks (nine) than strikeouts (eight) over the first nine innings of his rehab assignment and has also hit two batters. France will likely need just one or two more rehab outings to get stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload, but given the poor form he's displayed on the farm thus far, the Astros may not be eager to open up a spot for him in the big-league rotation once he's activated from the injured list.