MLB Player News

Chapman (Achilles) was cleared to resume playing catch Tuesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

The activity marks the first notable step forward in the recovery process for Chapman since he was placed on the 15-day injured list a week ago due to left Achilles tendinitis. The Yankees have yet to announce a timeline for Chapman's return, but based on his limited activity to date, he seems unlikely to be activated when first eligible June 7.

Strahm was cleared to rejoin the Red Sox on Tuesday, but he wasn't activated from the COVID-19-related injured list prior to the team's series opener with the Reds, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

Strahm was placed on the COVID-19 IL on Monday, but his presence in the clubhouse a day later suggests he was deactivated as a precaution and never actually contracted the virus. The 30-year-old lefty has handled a more important role out of the bullpen than expected this season, so the Red Sox are unlikely to delay activating him by more than another day or two if there aren't any concerns about his health.

Alcala (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Fort Myers on Tuesday.

Alcala has been on the injured list since April 12 with right elbow inflammation, so he'll likely require at least a handful of appearances in the minors before the Twins are comfortable activating him. The 26-year-old reliever is first eligible to return from the 60-day IL on June 10, according to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com.

The Rangers transferred Leclerc's (elbow) rehab assignment Tuesday from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock.

Leclerc will shift his rehab to the highest level of the minors after he struck out three and gave up one run on four hits and no walks over 2.1 innings between his two relief appearances at Frisco. If he acquits himself well this week in any appearances he makes at Round Rock, Leclerc could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list when first eligible next Monday.

Smeltzer (2-0) picked up the win in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Tigers, allowing two runs on six hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The soft-tossing southpaw got staked to a 6-0 lead before Detroit finally got a run across against him in the fourth inning, as Smeltzer cruised to his second straight quality start. He'll take a 1.50 ERA and 12:4 K:BB through 24 innings into his next outing as he tries to secure a permanent spot in the Twins' rotation.

The Tigers reinstated Vest (illness) from the COVID-19-related injured list in advance of the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Twins, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch said earlier in the day that Vest wouldn't be activated from the IL until Wednesday, but the Tigers opted to expedite the right-hander's return so the team could have a fresh arm in the bullpen for the final game of the twin bill. Drew Carlton, who tossed three innings of long relief in the Tigers' 8-2 loss in Game 1, was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to clear a spot for Vest. The 26-year-old made a 10-pitch relief appearance in a rehab game with Toledo on Monday, so the Tigers would likely prefer to stay away from Vest on Tuesday, if possible.

The Tigers optioned Carlton to Triple-A Toledo ahead of the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Twins, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Detroit will activate Will Vest (illness) from the COVID-19-related injured list in a corresponding move, adding a fresh arm to the bullpen for the remaining contest of the twin bill. Carlton worked three innings of long relief in the Tigers' 8-2 loss in Game 1, giving up two unearned runs on one hit and no walks while striking out four.

The Blue Jays recalled Thornton from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

He'll join the big club ahead of Tuesday's series opener with the White Sox and will serve as a replacement in the bullpen for lefty Ryan Borucki, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Thornton previously made 10 relief appearances for Toronto earlier this season, compiling a 3.52 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 15.1 innings.

The Blue Jays designated Borucki for assignment Tuesday.

Borucki has no minor-league options remaining, so any team that puts in a waiver claim or trades for the 28-year-old lefty will have to keep him on its 26-man active roster. He had endured a rough start to the 2022 season, spending time on the injured list with a hamstring strain and a blister on his pitching hand while giving up seven earned runs and walking five over 6.1 innings out of the Toronto bullpen.

Tampa Bay selected Armstrong's contract from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The Rays designated lefty reliever Ben Bowden for assignment and placed shortstop Wander Franco (quadriceps) on the 10-day injured list. Before signing with the Rays on a minor-league deal earlier this month, Armstrong made seven appearances in the majors with Miami this season, covering 6.2 innings and giving up eight earned runs on 10 hits and three walks.