MLB Player News

Lively (elbow) tossed a live bullpen Wednesday and is scheduled for another session Monday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Lively continues to progress in his recovery from a UCL reconstruction and flexor tendon repair that he underwent in May of 2025. He inked a minor-league contract with the Guardians in mid-February, and it appears he's not far from embarking on a rehab assignment. That means Lively could be available for the Guardians for the final weeks of the 2026 regular season.

Smith (shoulder) will start a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland on Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Smith has been shelved by right shoulder inflammation since May 22 and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in late June. He's progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment and could be back in the majors by late July or early August. Prior to his injury, Smith posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.47 wHIP across 17 innings.

Eovaldi is dealing with an illness but is lined up to start against Atlanta on Sunday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

It looks like Eovaldi picked something up over the All-Star break, but he may not end up missing significant time as long as he's cleared to start in Sunday's series finale. The veteran right-hander posted a 9-7 record across 18 starts in the first half of the regular season, along with a 4.04 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 120:26 K:BB across 111.1 innings.

DeGrom (glute) will throw a bullpen session Saturday and will likely make his next start during the Rangers' home series against the White Sox that begins Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Landry initially reported Thursday that deGrom was lined up to face Atlanta on Sunday, but it looks like the veteran right-hander needs a little bit more time to recover. He is dealing with a mild left glute strain that he picked up prior to the All-Star break, but the injury is not severe enough for him to require a stint on the injured list.

Refsnyder (knee) will embark on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, Tim Booth of The Seattle Times reports.

Refsnyder landed on the 10-day IL in late June due to right knee inflammation. The veteran outfielder has progressed enough in his recovery to go on a rehab assignment, which could have him back in the majors by late July or early August. Refsnyder has struggled at the plate this season, posting a .422 OPS with three home runs and nine RBI across 119 plate appearances.

Allen will start in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Allen will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to serve as the Guardians' 27th man Saturday, with the left-hander starting in Game 2 while Gavin Williams starts in Game 1. It'll be the second major-league outing of the season for Allen, with his first taking place May 25 against the Nationals, when he allowed two unearned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across four innings. He's started in 16 games in Triple-A, where he has a 4-3 record and a 4.39 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 95:31 K:BB across 80 innings.

Donovan (groin) will shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Donovan was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment Wednesday in the Arizona Complex League. He'll take the next step in his recovery by playing in Triple-A, but given that he's been sidelined for nearly two months, Donovan will likely need to play in several more minor-league games before returning to the majors.

Simpson is not in the Rays' starting lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Simpson went 0-for-3 in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader, but he'll be on the bench for the start of Game 2. The Rays will start Ryan Vilade, Cedric Mullins and Jonny DeLuca in the outfield from left to right in the nightcap.

Gamboa recorded his first career big-league save in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, allowing two hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

Called back up from Triple-A Worcester as the 27th man for the twin bill, Gamboa took the mound with a 9-0 lead and completed a combined shutout begun by Jake Bennett. Gamboa has been effective in his opportunities for the Red Sox this season, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 5:4 K:BB in eight innings over five appearances since making his MLB debut on May 5, but after throwing 43 pitches (33 strikes) he'll likely head back to Triple-A in favor of a fresh bullpen arm after the doubleheader.

Bennett (5-3) picked up the win in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, scattering one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Tampa Bay never got a runner into scoring position against the rookie southpaw, as Bennett tossed an extremely efficient 65 pitches (42 strikes) before being lifted with Boston comfortably ahead 9-0 to begin the seventh inning. Bennett has delivered five straight quality starts dating back to June 22, a stretch in which he sports an astounding 0.82 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB over 33 innings. He'll look to stay dialed in for his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home next week against the Orioles.