MLB Player News

Giolito (elbow) has been throwing at the Padres' team complex in Arizona, but his timeline to return is unclear, MLB.com reports.

Giolito landed on the injured list June 23 due to right elbow inflammation but was able to resume light throwing within a week. However, the veteran pitcher hasn't yet progressed to facing hitters, and it's unclear how far away a minor-league rehab assignment may be. By the time Giolito is ready to rejoin the Padres, both Joe Musgrove (elbow) and Nick Pivetta (forearm) may have returned to action, which could impact Giolito's place in the rotation following the trade-deadline acquisitions of Robbie Ray and Casey Mize.

Musgrove (elbow) completed 3.1 innings in a minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, allowing one run on six hits and no walks while striking out two batters.

It was Musgrove's second rehab outing as he sets his sights on pitching for the big-league club for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September of 2024. The veteran right-hander tossed 39 pitches in his first rehab start Aug. 4, so he's gradually building up his pitch count in preparation for a return to a spot in San Diego's rotation. Musgrove is likely to need at least one more rehab outing before being activated, but he could be back with the Padres by the end of August, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

Bubic (shoulder/elbow) is hoping to begin a minor-league rehab assignment around early September, MLB.com reports.

Bubic resumed a throwing progression while still with Kansas City in late July and was traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 3. The veteran hurler is continuing to try to work his way back from left shoulder discomfort and left elbow soreness, which has kept him on the IL since mid-May. Given the length of his absence, Bubic will almost certainly need to make several rehab appearances when he's ready to get into game action, which means that activation from the IL is unlikely to happen before mid-September. With that in mind, and given the Dodgers' deep rotation when healthy, the likeliest scenario for the left-hander to contribute to his new team this season is as a long-relief and/or emergency-starter option down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Susana (lat) is expected to report to High-A Wilmington on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Susana has resided on Double-A Harrisburg's injured list all season while recovering from right lat surgery and will eventually slot into the rotation for that affiliate once he concludes his rehab assignment at Wilmington. The 22-year-old righty displaced elite velocity before undergoing surgery last September and has seemingly bounced back well from the procedure, with Nusbaum noting that Susana has been regularly hitting triple digits with his fastball during his recent throwing sessions.

The Nationals intend to call up Kent from Triple-A Rochester to make his MLB debut this week, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

One of the top upper-level pitching prospects in the organization, Kent will be summoned from Triple-A to fill the vacancy in the big-league rotation that was created when the Nationals designated Zack Littell for assignment last week. The 23-year-old lefty is in line for his second promotion of 2026, as he opened the campaign at Double-A Harrisburg before moving up to Triple-A on May 21. Over 13 starts with Rochester, Kent turned in a 4.38 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 67:22 K:BB across 63.2 innings. He made his most recent appearance at Triple-A last Wednesday, so he'll presumably slot into the rotation at some point during the Nationals' three-game home series versus the Cubs that begins Tuesday.

Assad tossed a perfect inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 10-2 win over the Royals.

Assad had started in both of his previous two appearances, but he looks poised to stick in a relief role after the Cubs acquired Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes prior to Aug. 3 trade deadline and broke them into the rotation last week. Pitching out of the bullpen for the first time since July 25, Assad made quick work of the Royals, needing just five pitches to retire the side and close out the blowout win. Expect most of Assad's opportunities moving forward to come in lower-leverage situations.

Henderson (elbow) tossed 4.2 hitless innings Sunday in his 2026 debut at Triple-A Memphis after being reinstated from the 60-day injured list.

Henderson was effectively wild, managing to hold Nashville off the scoreboard despite walking four and not recording a strikeout. The left-hander entered the Memphis rotation following four rehab starts, as he missed the first three months of the season with a flexor strain. Henderson doesn't have wipeout stuff but has been highly effective thus far in the minors, having posted a 2.59 ERA and 134:51 K:BB over 132 innings covering 25 starts with Double-A Springfield in 2025.

Webb did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Tigers, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two over eight innings.

Webb allowed just one hit through his first five innings before Detroit opened the sixth with back-to-back singles, eventually leading to his lone run allowed. Despite the excellent outing, San Francisco's offense managed only one run in the extra-inning loss. Webb has been an absolute workhorse since the beginning of June, completing at least six innings in 11 of his 12 starts, including four outings of eight innings. His swing-and-miss ability remains modest with a 10 percent swinging-strike rate, but a groundball rate north of 50 percent continues to make him a strong contributor in the ratio categories.

Vasquez (8-6) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win over the Astros on Sunday.

Vasquez put just two runners on base, as he allowed a single to Taylor Trammell and a home run to Daulton Varsho in the second inning. Beyond that, it was another decent start for Vasquez, who has started his last two appearances. He's pitching to contact without getting burned for now -- he has just four strikeouts over his last 15.2 innings. On the year, he's maintained a 4.16 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 66:31 K:BB through 106 innings over 23 games (19 starts). Vasquez should get at least one more turn through the rotation while Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) work their way back. The next outing for Vasquez is projected to be on the road in Cleveland.

Nola (knee) is listed as the Phillies' probable pitcher Thursday against the Twins in the 2026 MLB at Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa.

Nola sustained a right knee contusion after he was struck by a 104.8-mph comebacker during the sixth inning of his previous start Saturday versus the Blue Jays, but the injury is viewed as a mild concern that won't keep him from making his next turn through the rotation. Though he's continued to strike out more than a batter per inning in his age-33 season, Nola has done more harm than good for fantasy managers. He's notched just three wins in 24 starts and has served up a MLB-high 29 home runs, which has played a large part in inflating both his ERA (5.47) and WHIP (1.45).