MLB Player News

Wheeler (back) won't make his scheduled start Sunday against the Athletics, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 34-year-old had an MRI on his back come back negative after he experienced lower-back tightness during Tuesday's start, but Philadelphia will play it safe and skip the right-hander's final outing before the All-Star break. Wheeler is expected to be ready to go to begin the second half, though it's unclear whether he'll be tabbed to start during the opening series in Pittsburgh next weekend.

The Cubs placed Bellinger on the 10-day injured list Thursday due to a fracture in his left middle finger, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Bellinger had to be taken out of Wednesday's game after he was hit in the hand by a pitch during the seventh inning, and imaging confirmed Thursday that the incident resulted in a fractured finger. He'll be sidelined through at least July 21, though the Cubs haven't yet provided a timeline for his return. Alexander Canario will come up from Triple-A Iowa in order to replenish Chicago's outfield depth.

The Cubs recalled Canario from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 24-year-old was up with the Cubs early in the season and posted an .815 OPS in 25 plate appearances, and he'll receive another look as Cody Bellinger heads to the injured list with a fractured finger. Canario could have at least a semi-regular role with Bellinger and Mike Tauchman (groin) both sidelined.

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

As expected, Graceffo's latest stint with the Cardinals lasted just one day, as St. Louis called him from Triple-A Memphis to serve as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the Royals. He made his first MLB start in the second game of the twin bill and was the pitcher of record in the Cardinals' 8-5 loss, working 3.1 innings and striking out two batters while allowing three earned runs on four hits and no walks.

Knack isn't starting Thursday against the Phillies but could be utilized behind opener Anthony Banda, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers haven't announced their pitching plans beyond Banda, but Knack would be on turn to pitch after starting last Thursday against the Diamondbacks. The right-hander has a 2.86 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 31:9 K:BB across 34.2 innings this season.

Banda will start Thursday's game against the Phillies, SportsNet LA reports.

Banda has a 2.05 ERA and 20:12 K:BB over 22 innings this season and will make his first start since 2022 on Thursday. The lefty will likely cover only an inning or two before turning things over to the bullpen, with Landon Knack a candidate to work as the bulk reliever.

Harper (hand) will start at first base and bat third Thursday against the Dodgers.

Harper suffered a bruised left hand during Tuesday's victory and ended up having to sit out Wednesday's contest, but the 31-year-old slugger is now feeling well enough to return to the field. He went 0-for-4 in his return from a stint on the injured list Tuesday but had slashed .423/.455/.865 with five homers and 12 RBI during a 12-game hitting streak prior to landing on the IL.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Diaz will make another turn through the Arizona rotation Saturday versus the Blue Jays at Chase Field, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Jordan Montgomery (knee), Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) and Merrill Kelly (shoulder) are all in the midst of throwing programs and may be on track to return from the injured list within a few weeks after the All-Star break, but their continued absences should clear the way for Diaz to stick around in the big-league rotation for a little while longer. Diaz earned a second turn through the rotation after dazzling in his MLB debut Monday, striking out five while permitting just one run on four hits and one walk in a no-decision against Atlanta. Despite his limited big-league track record, the 23-year-old right-hander shapes up as a decent streaming option this weekend against a weakened Toronto lineup that could be without Bo Bichette (calf).

Ross (back) struck out three over 3.2 scoreless innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville. He scattered two hits and one walk in the 46-pitch start.

Ross took the hill on three days' rest for his second minor-league rehab start, after he threw 34 pitches over 2.2 innings in his first rehab outing with High-A Wisconsin this past Saturday. The right-hander recorded his 11 outs in efficient fashion Wednesday and should continue to build up his pitch count over the course of at least two more rehab starts. He could return from the 60-day injured list and return to the Milwaukee rotation shortly after the All-Star break.

Manager Bob Melvin said Thursday that Wade is dealing with tightness in his hamstring, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wade was left out of the Giants' starting lineup for Thursday's game, and it's now been revealed that his absence is due to problems with his hamstring. Melvin noted that the 30-year-old first baseman will still likely be available for San Francisco's upcoming series versus Minnesota, but the team will take a day-to-day approach with him until the All-Star break.