MLB Player News

Garcia (hand) began swinging during the All-Star break and is set to be re-evaluated Sunday, per MLB.com.

Garcia landed on the injured list June 23 due to a nagging muscle strain in his left hand, but the 26-year-old took a step in the right direction by beginning to swing a bat during the All-Star break. Sunday's re-evaluation will determine whether he's ready to ramp up his hitting progression, including taking full rounds of batting practice, and should provide a clearer picture of when the third baseman could return to game action. Before being shelved, Garcia hit .261/.320/.373 with three homers, 30 RBI, 32 runs and five stolen bases across 69 games.

Estevez (shoulder) started a throwing program Friday, per MLB.com.

Estevez had been shut down since receiving an injection July 1 for a right rotator cuff strain. While it's a positive sign to see the veteran back throwing, the extent of his activity is unknown and figures to be limited, with the Royals expected to proceed cautiously given the series of setbacks the right-hander has faced since landing on the injured list April 1, originally due to a left foot contusion. An exact timeline remains unclear and will depend on how he responds to the throwing progression, but Estevez likely won't be ready to return to the big-league roster until later in August.

Bubic (elbow/shoulder) could begin a new throwing program next week, per MLB.com.

Bubic has been shelved since mid-May due to left elbow soreness before developing left shoulder discomfort during a rehab outing. The southpaw received a cortisone injection July 2 and has been shut down since, though he could be ready to resume throwing in the near future. Beginning a throwing program would mark a step in the right direction, though Bubic is likely to need considerable time to progress through his rehab before embarking on a rehab assignment and ultimately returning to the active roster. Prior to his lengthy stint on the injured list, the hurler posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts).

Isbel (foot) participated in a full team workout Friday and could begin a rehab assignment next week, per MLB.com.

Isbel has been shelved since June 10 with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fascia. He had been aiming to begin a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, but soreness prevented those plans from materializing. The 29-year-old's participation in Friday's workout is a positive step, though how he feels afterward and whether he's able to avoid soreness will determine how soon he'll begin a minor-league rehab assignment and ultimately return to the active roster. In Isbel's absence, Lane Thomas has handled center-field duties.

Miller (4-4) took the loss Friday versus the Giants, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander kept San Francisco off the board until the fifth inning, when Bryce Eldridge launched a two-run homer to open the scoring. A hit, two errors and a hit-by-pitch resulted in an unearned run for the Giants in the sixth and prevented Miller from securing his fourth quality start of 2026. The 27-year-old has surrendered more than three runs in just one of his 11 outings this season and now has a 2.27 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 71:10 K:BB across 65.1 innings.

Wells earned the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Astros, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Wells continues to come through for the Orioles in the ninth with Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the injured list. The right-hander stranded two Astros baserunners, locking down his third save of the year. In 36 games, the 31-year-old now has a 2.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB in 45.2 innings this season.

King (2-3) was charged with his fourth blown save of the season and also took the loss after pitching one inning, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out one batter in Friday's matchup with Baltimore.

King entered the game in the eighth, tasked with maintaining Houston's slim 2-1 lead, but he allowed the eventual game-winning homer to Taylor Ward. In 41 games, the 29-year-old lefty has posted a 3.27 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:16 K:BB in 44 innings.

Sanders (1-0) earned the win after pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning while striking out one batter against the Astros on Friday.

Sanders was called on in a high-leverage situation in his Orioles debut. He entered the game in the seventh, facing a bases-loaded jam. After striking out Isaac Paredes and getting Christian Walker to pop out, the 29-year-old was in line for the win when Taylor Ward hit the go-ahead homer in the eighth.

Pena went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two walks in a 3-2 loss to Baltimore on Friday.

Pena continues to rake after another multi-hit performance for Houston despite the loss. In his last 15 games, he's batting .345 (19-for-55) with three homers, nine RBI, 12 runs scored and five walks.

Dobnak will start Saturday's game against the Padres in Kansas City, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

After firing 5.2 shutout innings as a bulk reliever during his final outing of the first half July 8 against the Mets, Dobnak will now be rewarded with his first start with the big club. The 31-year-old righty will get a favorable draw Saturday, as he'll be facing a Padres lineup that's posted an MLB-worst .673 OPS and has also scored the fewest runs (385) this season.