MLB Player News

Sasaki (3-5) allowed three runs on three hits, five walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over four-plus innings to take the loss versus the Padres on Friday.

The five walks matched his season high. Sasaki has regressed heavily in recent starts, giving up 13 runs over his last 14 innings, including four home runs. The right-hander is now at a 4.88 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 72:30 K:BB over 72 innings through 14 starts. Sasaki's strikeout upside is a plus, as is a lineup that can often give him enough run support to cover up mistakes. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to be a rematch at home versus the Padres next week.

Kochanowicz's Tommy John surgery on his right elbow was deemed "successful," per MLB.com.

That's obviously good news for the right-handed hurler, who went under the knife in mid-June. Kochanowicz will be out for the remainder of this season and for at least a portion of 2027, though he could potentially return to action late in the campaign. He posted a 6.19 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 47:36 K:BB over 64 frames spanning 13 starts this season before being sidelined.

France went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in Friday's 7-1 win over the Dodgers.

France's second-inning blast answered a solo shot from Mookie Betts in the top of that same frame. This was France's second straight game with a homer, and four of his 10 long balls this year have come over his last seven games. For the season, the first baseman is batting .255 with an .810 OPS, 29 RBI, 20 runs scored, one stolen base, seven doubles and two triples over 179 plate appearances. As long as his bat is hot, France should be in the lineup most of the time.

Buehler (5-3) allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings to earn the win Friday over the Dodgers.

Buehler put a bow on an unexpectedly dominant June by limiting one of his former teams to a Mookie Betts solo home run in the second inning. Across five starts in June, Buehler never allowed more than one run in any game. He gave up five runs and posted a 27:8 K:BB across 26.1 innings. He has just three quality starts this season because he continues to struggle pitching deep enough into games to meet the requirements, but he has turned things around after a lackluster first month of the campaign. The right-hander is at a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 70:26 K:BB through 78 innings over 16 starts this season. Buehler's next start is projected to be on the road versus the Cubs.

Kikuchi (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, per MLB.com.

Kikuchi has so far been limited to playing catch, but that's tangible progress as he looks to work his way back from left shoulder inflammation. If the veteran hurler moves forward without any setbacks, he could rejoin the Angels' rotation after the All-Star break. Kikuchi posted a rough 5.81 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 31 innings spanning seven starts before landing on the injured list in early May.

Joyce (shoulder) has been throwing at the Angels' complex in Arizona, but he's limited to fastball-only bullpens, per MLB.com.

Joyce has yet to pitch for the Angels this season as he continues to work his way back from right shoulder surgery. The fireballing reliever had progressed as far as taking part in a minor-league rehab assignment, but he was pulled from that stint in mid-May after four outings because he wasn't recovering as well as hoped. It appears the organization is taking a cautious approach to Joyce's recovery, so he may not be ready to join the big-league club until after the All-Star break.

Frazier (elbow) resumed throwing Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Frazier has been on the shelf since early June due to right elbow inflammation. The veteran infielder has been hitting on the field, taking grounders and running for some time, and the progression to a throwing program puts him another step closer to a return. With that said, his role upon his activation is cloudy. The Angels have changed the look of their infield since Frazier's injury, with Christian Moore and Denzer Guzman both getting called up from the minors during that span and Donovan Walton putting up solid numbers while making frequent starts at second base.

Dotel (lat) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Altoona on Saturday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Dotel has been on the injured list with a right lat strain since June 13. It's unclear how many rehab appearances the Pirates will have him make, but he could be cleared to rejoin Pittsburgh's bullpen before the end of the month.

Booser picked up a hold Friday against Arizona, recording the final out of the sixth inning.

After beginning the season with Triple-A Durham, Booser has since carved out a key spot in the Rays' bullpen. Through 9.1 innings thus far, the 34-year-old left-hander has a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB with two holds.

Turner went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a scored in Friday's 2-1 win over the Mets.

Turner is finally starting to gain some steam at the plate, submitting four straight multi-hit games. The 32-year-old shortstop has been a big disappointment overall, slashing .235/.284/.341 with seven home runs, 14 doubles and 24 RBI across 352 plate appearances, but he does have 51 runs scored and 15 stolen bases as Philadelphia's primary leadoff man.