• Strong results in rehab outing
    Williams (elbow) yielded one run on three hits and two walks over four innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

    Advice: Williams wasn't very efficient, needing 82 pitches to cover his four frames. The results were impressive, though, as he struck out six, induced 16 whiffs and gave up just one batted ball hit at 95+ mph. The Guardians have not confirmed any plans for when Williams' season debut for them will occur, but it could be next week, as soon as Tuesday versus the White Sox. Williams has been on the injured list all season with a right elbow problem. Rotowire.com Today, 11:02 am
     
  • Struggles again in rehab start
    Kremer (triceps) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in his third rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports. He struck out five batters.

    Advice: Kremer got his pitch count up to 75 and looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list from a workload standpoint, but it's unclear if Baltimore is keen on slotting him back into the rotation while he's largely struggled during the minor-league assignment. The right-hander has posted an 11.42 ERA and 9:4 K:BB over 8.2 innings across his three starts. He's been out since late May with a right triceps strain. Rotowire.com Today, 10:52 am
    Dean KremerBAL - SP
    3:35 pm vs TEX
     
  • Dean Kremer struggles in rehab start
    Dean Kremer allowed four runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

    Advice: It’s another poor rehab start for Kremer, who now has an 11.42 ERA during his rehab assignment. He did strike out five while throwing 75 pitches, so it’s possible he could be up to 80-90 pitches in his next outing. Whether the Orioles decide that will come at Triple-A or in the majors is anybody’s guess right now. Rotoworld Today, 10:42 am
    Dean KremerBAL - SP
    3:35 pm vs TEX
     
  • Cubs place Javier Assad on IL
    Cubs placed RHP Javier Assad on the 15-day IL with a right forearm extensor strain.

    Advice: Assad struggled on Sunday and didn’t record a single strikeout. Now we might know why. The Cubs haven’t issued a timeline for Assad’s injury, but forearm strains can often be a precursor to bigger injuries, so the team is liable to be careful with the right-hander. We should find out in the coming days just how long Assad will be out and who the Cubs will call up to replace him in the rotation. Rotoworld Today, 10:28 am
     
  • In midst of rehab assignment
    Roupp (undisclosed) made his third rehab appearance in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Wednesday, striking out four over two perfect innings.

    Advice: Roupp has resided on Triple-A Sacramento's 7-day injured list since May 24 with an unspecified injury, but he looks to be close to a return to action in the Pacific Coast League. He's cruised through his first three outings in the ACL, punching out 12 while not issuing a walk and allowing just two hits over five shutout innings. The injury comes at an unfortunate time for Roupp, who possesses a spot on the Giants' 40-man roster and might have been under consideration to join the injury-riddled big-league rotation had he been healthy. Rotowire.com Today, 10:26 am
    Landen RouppSF - SP,RP
    12:45 pm vs CHC
     
  • Hits IL with strained forearm
    The Cubs placed Assad on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right forearm extensor strain, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

    Advice: The injury has evidently been an issue for Assad off and on for about two weeks, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, which could help explain why he's stumbled in June with a 5.49 ERA after entering the month with a 2.27 mark. With Assad slated to miss at least two turns, Hayden Wesneski is likely to remain in the Cubs' rotation for a while. Rotowire.com Today, 10:13 am
     
  • Getting spot start Thursday
    Kuhl will start Thursday's game against Atlanta at Guaranteed Rate Field.

    Advice: Kuhl had started in 11 of his 13 appearances at Triple-A Charlotte prior to being called up June 14, but his first three outings with the big club have come out of the bullpen. However, Kuhl covered 4.1 innings and 99 pitches in long relief while mopping up in Sunday's 11-2 loss to the Tigers, so even though he'll be pitching on three days' rest, he should be able to provide the White Sox with a decent amount of length in a starting role. Unless he impresses against Atlanta to earn himself a longer stay in the rotation, Kuhl will likely be moved back to the bullpen or sent to the minors after Thursday's start. Rotowire.com Today, 10:03 am
    Chad KuhlCWS - SP,RP
    1:10 pm vs ATL
     
  • Imaging comes out clean
    Darvish had imaging on his right elbow come back clean Wednesday, though he'll likely get additional imaging "for peace of mind," Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press reports.

    Advice: Darvish has recovered from a groin injury and was originally expected to come off the injured list to start Tuesday, but that plan was scrapped when he developed inflammation in his right elbow. Initial indications suggested that the issue is minor, and the clean imaging seems to support that, though San Diego will likely be cautious with the veteran hurler's return. It's not yet clear when Darvish will return to action or if he'll need to make any rehab starts given the extension of his absence. Rotowire.com Today, 9:59 am
     
  • Making progress in throwing program
    Blackburn (foot) threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Angel Stadium and is set to complete another one Saturday, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: The right-hander has been making steady progress over the last week-plus, as he's already thrown two bullpen sessions and seemingly come away from that activity without setbacks. If Saturday's session also goes off without a hitch, Blackburn could progress to facing hitters as the next step in his recovery. Rotowire.com Today, 9:57 am