MLB Player News

Estevez (shoulder) started a throwing program Friday, per MLB.com.

Estevez had been shut down since receiving an injection July 1 for a right rotator cuff strain. While it's a positive sign to see the veteran back throwing, the extent of his activity is unknown and figures to be limited, with the Royals expected to proceed cautiously given the series of setbacks the right-hander has faced since landing on the injured list April 1, originally due to a left foot contusion. An exact timeline remains unclear and will depend on how he responds to the throwing progression, but Estevez likely won't be ready to return to the big-league roster until later in August.

Bubic (elbow/shoulder) could begin a new throwing program next week, per MLB.com.

Bubic has been shelved since mid-May due to left elbow soreness before developing left shoulder discomfort during a rehab outing. The southpaw received a cortisone injection July 2 and has been shut down since, though he could be ready to resume throwing in the near future. Beginning a throwing program would mark a step in the right direction, though Bubic is likely to need considerable time to progress through his rehab before embarking on a rehab assignment and ultimately returning to the active roster. Prior to his lengthy stint on the injured list, the hurler posted a 3-2 record with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings (nine starts).

Isbel (foot) participated in a full team workout Friday and could begin a rehab assignment next week, per MLB.com.

Isbel has been shelved since June 10 with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fascia. He had been aiming to begin a rehab assignment before the All-Star break, but soreness prevented those plans from materializing. The 29-year-old's participation in Friday's workout is a positive step, though how he feels afterward and whether he's able to avoid soreness will determine how soon he'll begin a minor-league rehab assignment and ultimately return to the active roster. In Isbel's absence, Lane Thomas has handled center-field duties.

Kelly did not factor into the decision Friday, giving up three runs (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks over five innings against St. Louis.

The Cardinals tallied two unearned runs on two hits, a walk and an error during the opening frame, but Kelly then kept St. Louis off the board until JJ Wetherholt's solo homer during the fifth inning. The veteran right-hander was unable to extend his win streak to three games, but he continued a strong run of form with a 2.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB across his last 17 innings. Kelly still has a lot of work to do to bring down his 5.20 ERA and 1.49 WHIP for the campaign.

O'Brien allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning to pick up the save Friday against the Diamondbacks.

The 31-year-old produced an eighth straight scoreless appearance and is once again tied with Mason Miller atop the National League with 25 saves. During that scoreless stretch, O'Brien has surrendered just three hits and three walks while recording seven saves, though he hasn't been particularly dominant with seven strikeouts.

McGreevy did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk over 6.1 innings in a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks. He struck out five.

McGreevy was unable to pick up a second straight victory since St. Louis didn't score the game-deciding run until the ninth inning, but he delivered a fourth consecutive quality start and now has seven quality starts in his past eight outings. The 27-year-old seems to have found his footing during his first full season as a big-league starter with a 2.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 71:24 K:BB across 108 innings (19 starts).

Miller (4-4) took the loss Friday versus the Giants, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander kept San Francisco off the board until the fifth inning, when Bryce Eldridge launched a two-run homer to open the scoring. A hit, two errors and a hit-by-pitch resulted in an unearned run for the Giants in the sixth and prevented Miller from securing his fourth quality start of 2026. The 27-year-old has surrendered more than three runs in just one of his 11 outings this season and now has a 2.27 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 71:10 K:BB across 65.1 innings.

Adames went 1-for-5 with a grand slam and two strikeouts in Friday's victory over Seattle.

The veteran shortstop came through his 16th homer of the year with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, pushing San Francisco's lead to 7-0. Adames otherwise didn't do much at the plate and is now batting .220 (9-for-41) with one double, two homers, nine RBI and six runs through 11 games in July.

Roupp (7-8) earned the win Friday, allowing two hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings against the Mariners. He struck out two.

Roupp surrendered just one run over eight innings during his final start before the All-Star break versus Toronto on July 6, and he delivered another strong performance Friday to secure his second straight victory. The right-hander won five of his first six starts of the season and had a 2.55 ERA during that span before stumbling to a 5.77 ERA in his subsequent eight outings, but he's found his footing of late with a quality start in four of his past five appearances. Roupp will take a 3.98 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 106:45 K:BB across 104 frames into his next start, which tentatively lines up to come in Kansas City.

Wells earned the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Astros, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Wells continues to come through for the Orioles in the ninth with Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the injured list. The right-hander stranded two Astros baserunners, locking down his third save of the year. In 36 games, the 31-year-old now has a 2.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB in 45.2 innings this season.