MLB Player News

Javier (shoulder) will make another appearance Sunday for Triple-A Sugar Land in what should be his final rehab start, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Javier only made three appearances for Houston before being placed on the injured list April 10. Houston believes this upcoming rehab start should be the 29-year-old's final one, so it seems the right-hander is close to being back with the big-league club after missing over two months of action.

Fried (elbow) will throw a bullpen session this weekend, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Fried has been out of action since mid-May due to a left elbow bone bruise. The southpaw was cleared to throw off a mound about a month later, and he tossed his first bullpen June 16. MLB.com reports that Fried's next bullpen will take place Sunday and that the veteran pitcher is currently asymptomatic. If he continues to progress without any setbacks, Fried could rejoin New York's rotation at some point in July.

Schmidt (elbow) tossed a side session Wednesday and is "a couple of weeks" away from facing live hitters, per MLB.com.

Schmidt is now almost a year out from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July. The veteran hurler began throwing from a mound in early April but has been limited to side sessions so far. If he continues his throwing program and is able to face hitters in late June or early July, Schmidt could be ready for game action at some point in August.

McCullers (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch live batting practice session Friday at Daikin Park, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It was the hurler's first time facing hitters since he was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation in mid-May. The next step for McCullers will either be throwing another live batting practice session or going out on a rehab assignment. It seems McCullers could be back before the All-Star break if all goes well, but he still has several boxes to check.

Cleveland optioned Dion to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Dion will make his way back to Columbus after making just six appearances since having his contract selected May 25. With Cleveland, the 26-year-old recorded a 5.56 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB in 11.1 innings. Erik Sabrowski (elbow) will take Dion's spot on the active roster.

Witt has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee following an MRI, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Witt had to exit Thursday's game versus the Cardinals when his knee twisted awkwardly on a sliding stop at shortstop, and he is not in the lineup Friday. Royals manager Matt Quatraro referred to the diagnosis as a "best-case scenario," adding that the club will see how Witt is feeling Sunday following the team off day Saturday before determining next steps. That suggests Witt has a chance to avoid the 10-day injured list.

The Guardians activated Sabrowski (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Sabrowski was sidelined for just over three weeks with left elbow inflammation and will rejoin the club in Houston. Before landing on the IL, the 28-year-old was off to a terrific start, posting a 1.71 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 39:13 K:BB through 21 innings. Cleveland optioned Will Dion to Triple-A Columbus in order to make room for Sabrowski on the active roster.

Blanco (elbow) struck out five over three scoreless frames in his first rehab start with the Astros' Florida Complex League affiliate Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

He gave up only one hit and one walk. There's no word on what Blanco's velocity was, but it was an encouraging first rehab outing from a box score perspective. Blanco is working his way back from last June's Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. He will need several more rehab starts, but Blanco is tracking toward rejoining the Astros' rotation around the All-Star break.

Caballero is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Caballero will hit the bench Friday after a run of seven straight starts, during which he batted .346 (9-for-26) with a double, two homers, nine RBI and five runs. Anthony Volpe is starting at shortstop in the series opener versus Cincinnati.

Guerrero was removed from Friday's contest versus the Cubs in the sixth inning with an apparent back/side injury, Sportsnet reports.

Vlad Jr. popped out on the first pitch of the top of the sixth inning and immediately grabbed at his back/left side area before jogging slowly to first base. He was removed from the game prior to the bottom of the sixth. The Blue Jays should offer more on Guerrero's condition soon. He was hitless in three plate appearances before departing.