MLB Player News

Fried (elbow) will throw a bullpen session this weekend, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Fried has been out of action since mid-May due to a left elbow bone bruise. The southpaw was cleared to throw off a mound about a month later, and he tossed his first bullpen June 16. MLB.com reports that Fried's next bullpen will take place Sunday and that the veteran pitcher is currently asymptomatic. If he continues to progress without any setbacks, Fried could rejoin New York's rotation at some point in July.

Schmidt (elbow) tossed a side session Wednesday and is "a couple of weeks" away from facing live hitters, per MLB.com.

Schmidt is now almost a year out from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July. The veteran hurler began throwing from a mound in early April but has been limited to side sessions so far. If he continues his throwing program and is able to face hitters in late June or early July, Schmidt could be ready for game action at some point in August.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said Friday that Mahle (hamstring) will rejoin the rotation Wednesday against the Athletics, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Mahle was wild in his first and only rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday in issuing five walks over three innings, but he managed to escape with only one run allowed. The right-hander threw 63 pitches in the outing, so he will not be available for a full workload versus the A's. Vitello declined to reveal whose rotation spot Mahle will be taking, but it will likely be either Trevor McDonald or Adrian Houser getting the boot.

The Brewers announced that Woodruff (shoulder) will return to the pitching rotation during next week's series against Cincinnati, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff will finally make his return to the big-league mound for the first time since the end of April. The 33-year-old most recently completed a rehab start Tuesday, allowing three runs over 5.1 innings while striking out six batters. Before going on the injured list, the right-hander posted a 3.60 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB in 30 innings.

McCullers (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch live batting practice session Friday at Daikin Park, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It was the hurler's first time facing hitters since he was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation in mid-May. The next step for McCullers will either be throwing another live batting practice session or going out on a rehab assignment. It seems McCullers could be back before the All-Star break if all goes well, but he still has several boxes to check.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Friday that Perez's (thigh) next start could be with the Marlins, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Perez made his first and perhaps only rehab start Thursday at Triple-A Jacksonville, striking out five over 3.2 innings of one-run ball. He sat in the 96-to-98 mph range with his fastballs and got his pitch count up to 51. Though Perez is not fully stretched back out yet, he could nonetheless rejoin the big-league rotation as soon as next week's series against the Rangers at home. That would mean a return in about four weeks, which is half the time of his initially projected eight-week timeline.

Edwards is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants due to thumb soreness, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Manager Clayton McCullough revealed that Edwards has been dealing with thumb soreness, which is the reason why is he was out of the lineup Wednesday and is on the bench Friday as well. The Marlins wanted to be cautious and give their second baseman another day off after the off day Thursday. Miami believes he will be ready to go for Saturday's game against San Francisco.

Manager Blake Butera said Mikolas is scheduled to pitch behind opener PJ Poulin against the Rays on Friday, Andrew Golden of TheBanner.com reports.

Mikolas was initially penciled in to pitch Saturday, but he'll be moved up to Friday after Cade Cavalli (illness) was scratched. Mikolas has fared much better when working in bulk relief this season, as he has a 3.56 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 43 innings out of the bullpen.

Cleveland optioned Dion to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Dion will make his way back to Columbus after making just six appearances since having his contract selected May 25. With Cleveland, the 26-year-old recorded a 5.56 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB in 11.1 innings. Erik Sabrowski (elbow) will take Dion's spot on the active roster.

Witt has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee following an MRI, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Witt had to exit Thursday's game versus the Cardinals when his knee twisted awkwardly on a sliding stop at shortstop, and he is not in the lineup Friday. Royals manager Matt Quatraro referred to the diagnosis as a "best-case scenario," adding that the club will see how Witt is feeling Sunday following the team off day Saturday before determining next steps. That suggests Witt has a chance to avoid the 10-day injured list.