Shohei Ohtani on track to start Friday vs. D-backs

Parker Messick will get some extra rest after throwing a scoreless second inning in the All-Star Game. He’ll presumably face the Twins or Monday or Tuesday, with Slade Cecconi starting the other game.

Voth was just signed to a minor league deal a couple of weeks ago and apparently requested the move, so we’re going to assume he’s on his way back to Asia. The 34-year-old pitched for Chiba Lotte in Japan last season, posting a 3.96 ERA in 125 innings. He’d given up 11 earned runs in 10 innings for the Blue Jays and Twins this season.

Arnold said the Brewers wouldn’t rush Harrison back. At this point, however, it doesn’t seem like the left-hander is in store for a lengthy absence.

Peralta’s father passed away just prior to the break. The reliever will be eligible to rejoin the Padres this weekend.

Brito was sent down Saturday after allowing two runs in 4 1/3 innings in four days with the Padres. He’ll probably return to Triple-A before the weekend is up.

Arnold also indicated that fellow acquisition Colton Gordon will likely head to Triple-A for now. If McCullers, who has been on the IL for two months with shoulder inflammation, is activated, one imagines he’d be part of a six-man rotation the first time through. He could bump Robert Gasser afterwards if he proves worthy. McCullers made his last start July 7, giving up four runs — two earned — in four innings for Triple-A Sugar Land.

Burrows was sent down a week ago, only to have the option rescinded after he complained of the arm issue. He could get another look in Houston’s rotation in September, depending on how things work out.

No one thought it was worth taking on the rest of Smith’s $2.25 million salary in the hopes that he’d bounce back. The 30-year-old had hit just .141/.236/.192 in 89 plate appearances since returning from elbow surgery. He was pretty good in limited action the previous two years, batting .262/.357/.475 in 446 plate appearances between 2024 and ’25. The Diamondbacks don’t have much ahead of him at first base, so if he rebounds, he might get another chance. That said, Tyler Locklear is probably ahead of him in line for a look.

A really tough break for Akin, who will be a free agent for the first time at season’s end. He might be back down the stretch next year if his rehab goes well. The 31-year-old had a 5.68 ERA in 25 1/3 innings this season. He has a lifetime 4.55 ERA in 393 1/3 innings, all for the Orioles.

This rules out Zastryzny through July 30. He still hasn’t pitched in a major league game this season; he missed the first two months with a shoulder strain, was activated May 31 and then was put back on the IL on June 3 without having made an appearance.