MLB Player News

Giolito (elbow) has been throwing at the Padres' team complex in Arizona, but his timeline to return is unclear, MLB.com reports.

Giolito landed on the injured list June 23 due to right elbow inflammation but was able to resume light throwing within a week. However, the veteran pitcher hasn't yet progressed to facing hitters, and it's unclear how far away a minor-league rehab assignment may be. By the time Giolito is ready to rejoin the Padres, both Joe Musgrove (elbow) and Nick Pivetta (forearm) may have returned to action, which could impact Giolito's place in the rotation following the trade-deadline acquisitions of Robbie Ray and Casey Mize.

Pivetta (forearm) played catch at PetCo Park on Sunday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Pivetta is in a holding pattern in terms of resuming a rehab stint, but he's still been able to do some throwing. The right-hander exited a rehab start -- his first since landing on the injured list April 14 due to a right flexor strain -- with Triple-A El Paso on Aug. 4 after throwing just 14 pitches, though he did get in some more throws in the bullpen afterward. According to Cassavell, the Padres have "tentative plans" for Pivetta to throw a bullpen session but haven't revealed a date for that to take place.

Musgrove (elbow) completed 3.1 innings in a minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks while striking out two batters.

It was Musgrove's second rehab outing as he sets his sights on pitching for the big-league club for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September of 2024. The veteran right-hander tossed 39 pitches in his first rehab start Aug. 4, so he's gradually building up his pitch count in preparation for a return to a spot in San Diego's rotation. Musgrove is likely to need at least one more rehab outing before being activated, but he could be back with the Padres by the end of August, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

Bubic (shoulder/elbow) is hoping to begin a minor-league rehab assignment around early September, MLB.com reports.

Bubic resumed a throwing progression while still with Kansas City in late July and was traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 3. The veteran hurler is continuing to try to work his way back from left shoulder discomfort and left elbow soreness, which has kept him on the IL since mid-May. Given the length of his absence, Bubic will almost certainly need to make several rehab appearances when he's ready to get into game action, which means that activation from the IL is unlikely to happen before mid-September. With that in mind, and given the Dodgers' deep rotation when healthy, the likeliest scenario for the left-hander to contribute to his new team this season is as a long-relief and/or emergency-starter option down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Sanford (hand) has gone 3-for-9 with four walks, two stolen bases and two runs in three games for High-A Greensboro since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Friday.

Sanford was on the shelf for just over a month while recovering from a hand injury. The 20-year-old shortly has cobbled together a .289/.434/.529 slash line with 10 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 51 games at Greensboro this season.

Susana (lat) is expected to report to High-A Wilmington on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Susana has resided on Double-A Harrisburg's injured list all season while recovering from right lat surgery and will eventually slot into the rotation for that affiliate once he concludes his rehab assignment at Wilmington. The 22-year-old righty displaced elite velocity before undergoing surgery last September and has seemingly bounced back well from the procedure, with Nusbaum noting that Susana has been regularly hitting triple digits with his fastball during his recent throwing sessions.

The Nationals intend to call up Kent from Triple-A Rochester to make his MLB debut this week, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

One of the top upper-level pitching prospects in the organization, Kent will be summoned from Triple-A to fill the vacancy in the big-league rotation that was created when the Nationals designated Zack Littell for assignment last week. The 23-year-old lefty is in line for his second promotion of 2026, as he opened the campaign at Double-A Harrisburg before moving up to Triple-A on May 21. Over 13 starts with Rochester, Kent turned in a 4.38 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 67:22 K:BB across 63.2 innings. He made his most recent appearance at Triple-A last Wednesday, so he'll presumably slot into the rotation at some point during the Nationals' three-game home series versus the Cubs that begins Tuesday.

Assad tossed a perfect inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 10-2 win over the Royals.

Assad had started in both of his previous two appearances, but he looks poised to stick in a relief role after the Cubs acquired Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes prior to Aug. 3 trade deadline and broke them into the rotation last week. Pitching out of the bullpen for the first time since July 25, Assad made quick work of the Royals, needing just five pitches to retire the side and close out the blowout win. Expect most of Assad's opportunities moving forward to come in lower-leverage situations.

Ortiz went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over the Reds.

The rookie first baseman took Brady Singer deep in the third inning, providing the first of many insurance runs in a 7-1 victory. Ortiz has held his own since his promotion following the trade deadline, going 5-for-20 (.250) with his first two big-league homers and four RBI, and he should form the strong side of a platoon with Andres Chaparro for the remainder of the year.

Dion (1-0) picked up the win Sunday over the Reds, allowing one hit and striking out one in three scoreless relief innings.

Brad Lord got the start in a bullpen day for the Nationals and worked the first 2.2 innings before handing a 2-1 lead off to Dion, who shut Cincinnati down over 41 pitches (30 strikes) to earn his first big-league win. Acquired from the Guardians in the Foster Griffin deal, Dion has had a promising adjustment to a full-time relief role in 2026, posting a 52:7 K:BB over 37.1 Triple-A innings and delivering a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB in his first 14 appearances and 23.1 innings at the top level.