MLB Player News

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that the Cubs expect Cabrera (hamstring) to return from the injured list in the second week of August, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

A left hamstring strain sent Cabrera to the IL on June 24, and he was cleared to start up a throwing program about a week before the All-Star break. He still has several hurdles to clear, but barring any setbacks, he should return to Chicago's rotation in time to contribute toward the team's postseason push.

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Milner (abdomen) will likely return from the injured list sometime around Aug. 1, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Milner has been out since late June after undergoing an emergency appendectomy, but he appears to be in line to return well within the 4-to-6-week timeline he received after his procedure. The 35-year-old southpaw has put up a 3.53 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 35.2 innings this season.

Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Taillon (hamstring) will return from the injured list during the Cubs' upcoming series against the Tigers, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It's still unknown exactly which game of the series Taillon will start, but the Cubs should announce their pitching plans later this weekend. The 34-year-old righty has been on the shelf since June 9 due to a strained left hamstring but was cleared to begin pitching in minor-league games July 5. He gave up just one walk and one hit while striking out three batters in 4.2 shutout innings during his most recent outing at Triple-A Iowa but threw just 53 pitches, so he could have a workload restriction in place while he makes his second-half debut.

Henriquez (elbow) began playing catch from 60 feet out Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Henriquez has already been ruled out for the entirety of the 2026 campaign after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery in the offseason, but the fact that he's now playing catch is an encouraging sign of progress. Assuming his rehab continues smoothly, he should be ready for the start of spring training in 2027.

Bender (shin) was cleared to begin a throwing program Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Bender has been on the shelf since the end of June due to a stress reaction in his right shin. He remains without a definitive timeline to return to Miami's bullpen, though his return to activity is certainly a positive sign.

The Tigers recalled Hanifee from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

Hanifee owns a 3.29 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 13.2 innings with Detroit this season, but he's given up 11 earned runs in just 12 innings since being sent down to Toledo on June 12. His recent struggles in the minors will likely limit him to low-leverage work with the Tigers.

Horn (elbow) will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Horn has been on the injured list all season while working his way back from an arthroscopic procedure he underwent on his left elbow during the offseason. He was cleared to begin throwing in late May, but progress in his recovery has been slow, so he'll go under the knife once again to address the issue. He'll officially miss the entire 2026 campaign as a result, and the timing of his surgery makes it likely that he'll miss most, if not all, of the 2027 season as well.

Thorpe (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Saturday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thorpe is inching closer toward a return from the injured list, as he's now reached the final stage of his recovery from April 2025 Tommy John surgery. He'll likely need the entire 30-day rehab window to build up his pitch count and iron out his command and control before the White Sox consider him for a spot in the big-league rotation upon his activation. Thorpe has minor-league options remaining, so he could be sent to Triple-A Charlotte once reinstated if Chicago doesn't have a starting role available to him.

Pereira (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Pereira is in the midst of his second stint of the season on the injured list, this time as the result of a concussion after he previously missed about six weeks due to a right pectoral strain. After being deactivated June 18, Pereira made good progress in his recovery over the All-Star break and has advanced far enough in concussion protocol to test himself in a game setting. Once he's reinstated from the 7-day IL, Pereira will likely fill a short-side platoon role in the Chicago outfield.

Hays (calf) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hays has been shelved since May 4 due to a left calf strain and was moved to the 60-day injured list in early June after suffering a setback in his rehab assignment. He's made enough progress over the last month to resume playing minor-league games, but given his lengthy stint on the shelf, Hays could require an extended stay at Charlotte before rejoining the White Sox's active roster.