MLB Player News

Smith was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Tuesday.

Smith allowed nine earned runs over 12 innings of relief earlier this season with the A's and was showing a brutal 9.61 ERA in 19.2 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas. The 28-year-old right-hander is now off the 40-man roster.

Schreiber (shoulder) could begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Schreiber completed a live batting practice session with no issues Tuesday and appears poised to test things out in game action soon. The reliever could be back when first eligible July 16 after missing the last seven weeks with a shoulder injury.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Tuesday that Balazovic will be used in a true relief role moving forward, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Balazovic came up through the minors mostly as a starter and he went 3.2 innings in his major-league debut last month. His outings have been shorter since then, though, and that is the role the Twins envision for him moving forward, with high-leverage usage possible. "We've always known he's had this type of ability. ... He's throwing the ball like a good Major League reliever right now," Baldelli said.

Clarke (1-3) allowed five runs on five hits and a walk in one-third of an inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Twins.

The Royals entered the bottom of the eighth inning tied at 3-3, but Clarke was on the hook for all of the Twins' five-run rally. Over his last seven appearances, Clarke has just one scoreless outing while giving up 15 runs in 5.2 innings and taking all three of his losses on the year. The rough stretch comes after a scoreless streak that lasted over a month and earned him setup duties. For the season, he's at a 6.06 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 39:15 K:BB with nine holds and two blown saves through 35.2 innings. With Aroldis Chapman traded to Texas, there will be late-inning chances available, but it's unclear if Clarke will be the one to pick them up if he can't turn things around.

Munoz (2-1) recorded the win over the Giants on Monday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded two strikeouts.

A little over 24 hours after recording his first win of the season, Munoz was even sharper while getting seven of his eight pitches in for strikes during a blink-and-you-missed-it-perfect frame. The caliber of Munoz's performances in each of the last two outings further corroborates that his one stumble of the season three appearances ago against the White Sox is a true outlier. In addition to his two victories, Munoz has also rewarded fantasy managers with six holds, a 2.57 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and a 13.5 K/9.

Minnesota activated Lopez (mental health) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Lopez will return to the Twins' bullpen Tuesday against the Royals after taking a couple weeks off for mental health reasons. He had posted a disappointing 5.00 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through 27 innings prior to the IL stint.

Minnesota optioned Headrick to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Jorge Lopez (mental health) has been activated off the injured list in a corresponding roster move. Headrick, 25, holds a 5.40 ERA and 18:7 K:BB in 15 innings of relief this year at the big-league level.

King was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

King holds an ugly 6.61 ERA over 13 relief appearances for the Rangers this season. He'll provide manager Bruce Bochy with another left-hander in the bullpen.

Perez was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left forearm soreness, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Perez felt soreness while playing catch Monday. The Orioles' level of concern with the reliever is considered low, so it sounds like he has a shot to be back when first eligible on July 18.

Zimmermann was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Zimmermann has been starting at Norfolk but has been used in relief during his time with the Orioles this season. He'll provide the bullpen with some length.