MLB Player News

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Wheeler (back) isn't certain to make his next start Sunday against the Athletics, though an MRI on the right-hander's back revealed no structural damage, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. "We're going to be very cautious with him... We'll know [Thursday]," Thomson said, when asked about Wheeler's status for Sunday.

Wheeler was pulled after five innings in his start during Tuesday's 10-1 win over the Dodgers due to left lower-back tightness. Though Thomson admitted that Wheeler is still feeling sore, the 34-year-old looks to have avoided a significant injury. Even so, with the All-Star break looming, the Phillies could have Wheeler skip his next turn so that he can benefit from some extended time to heal up from the back issue. The team should provide more clarity on its plans for Wheeler after reassessing his condition Thursday.

Williamson (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session July 23, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Williamson is poised to throw off of a mound for the first time since he received injections last month to combat a lesion in his left shoulder. The left-hander is hoping to be ready to pitch for the Reds in September, but he'll have many hurdles to clear to make that a reality.

Gibaut (forearm) will throw a bullpen session next Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gibaut will take the hill for the first time since he underwent anterior interosseous nerve release surgery in early May. He's been out all season and will need to make several rehab appearances before he comes off the 60-day injured list, but the Reds are hopeful that he'll be back in the bullpen by mid-August.

The Reds reinstated Fraley (personal) from the family medical emergency list Wednesday.

Though the lefty-hitting Fraley is back with the club in Cincinnati, he'll be out of the lineup Wednesday while the Rockies send southpaw Kyle Freeland to the hill. Fraley hadn't played since July 4 and missed three games shortly before his leave of absence due to a calf issue, so the Reds could be inclined to ease him back into action a bit. He should eventually settle back into an everyday role against right-handed pitching, making starts as a corner outfielder or as a designated hitter.

The Reds optioned Dunn to Triple-A Louisville, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 26-man active roster for Jake Fraley' (personal), who was reinstated from the family medical emergency list. Dunn has gone just 1-for-18 at the dish during his brief time with the Reds this season.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Friedl (hamstring) is trending toward a return from the 10-day injured list in 7-to-10 days after the All-Star break, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Friedl was cleared earlier this week to begin a running progression as he works his way back from a strained right hamstring. It's not clear yet whether he will require a rehab assignment before returning from the IL, but he'll most likely require some games in the minors because he's already missed more than two weeks of action. Friedl should regain his role as the Reds' regular center fielder upon his activation.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that McLain (shoulder) has started swinging a bat and is hoping to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 12, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Certainly, McLain will need to check off numerous boxes before he's cleared for game action, but he's trending well in his recovery from left shoulder surgery, which he had in late March. Given the long layoff, McLain will need an extended rehab assignment before returning from the 60-day injured list, possibly in late August or early September.

The Dodgers recalled Vanasco from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Vanasco will join the Dodgers to provide some extra coverage in the bullpen through the All-Star break, with right-hander Bobby Miller heading to the minors in a corresponding move after lasting just four innings in his start in Tuesday's 10-1 loss to the Phillies. Up with the big club for the third time this season, Vanasco made just one two-inning appearance between his previous two stints with the Dodgers.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Martini will likely be out until September after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his left thumb, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Martini landed on the 10-day injured list over the weekend with the injury and has opted to have it surgically repaired. He's expected to come off the IL before the end of the season, but a precise target date for his return won't become clear until he's able to begin a minor-league rehab assignment.

The Dodgers optioned Miller to the minors Wednesday.

The team didn't specifically relay that Miller will be headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City, as the right-hander could instead be headed to the Dodgers' facility in Arizona to work on some mechanical adjustments. His demotion comes after he was lit up for nine earned runs in four innings in Tuesday's loss to the Phillies, bringing his ERA up to 9.87 over his four starts since he returned to the rotation June 19 following a two-plus-month stay on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. The Dodgers will need a replacement in the rotation for Miller in Sunday's game in Detroit, but the right-hander might be a candidate to rejoin the big club shortly after the All-Star break. The possibility exists, however, that the Dodgers will have Miller spend some extended time in the minors to iron out the kinks, as the team should get some reinforcements to its rotation after the break that may lessen the need to bring back the struggling right-hander. Tyler Glasnow (back) and Walker Buehler (hip) could both be ready to return from the IL immediately after the break, while Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is in the midst of a rehab assignment and could be ready to come off the 60-day IL by the end of July or the first week of August.