MLB Player News

Merryweather (oblique) rejoined the Blue Jays on Monday ahead of their four-game road series versus the Yankees, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Though he wasn't activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Toronto's 8-0 win Monday, Merryweather looks on pace to be added to the roster at some point later in the week. The hard-throwing reliever recently wrapped up a four-appearance rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo, with Merryweather allowing three earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five over three innings. Prior to landing on the IL in mid-April, Merryweather had been operating as the Blue Jays' preferred option for saves, but he'll likely be eased back into the fold in a low-leverage relief role once he's reinstated.

Lowther didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Royals, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out two.

Called up Monday to make his second career MLB start, Lowther gave the O's a quality start on 92 pitches (56 strikes) and exited in line for his first career win, but the Baltimore bullpen couldn't make a 2-1 lead hold up. It's not clear whether the 25-year-old southpaw will remain in the rotation, but this performance was more than good enough to earn him a longer look.

Lopez is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Athletics in Oakland, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

With Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Lance Lynn (knee) on the injured list and Carlos Rodon's (general soreness) next start in flux, Lopez will draw a second straight turn through the rotation in what will be his sixth start of the season with Chicago. Over his previous five starts, Lopez has submitted a 3.32 ERA while striking out 16 and holding opposing batters to a .200 average in 19 innings.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Monday that Montero (lat) has resumed throwing off flat ground, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston reports.

After being acquired from the Mariners ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, Montero made just four relief appearances for Houston before being shut down with a right lat strain. Fortunately for Montero, the injury doesn't appear to be a season-ending one, but he'll likely need at least two weeks to advance through a throwing program before he's deemed ready to return from the 10-day injured list.

Jimenez (illness) landed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

The move was an expected one after it was revealed that Jimenez had tested positive for the virus Monday. He'll now be out for at least 10 days.

Barlow gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his 11th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Orioles.

He's emerged as the top option in the Royals' bullpen. In 22.2 innings since the All-Star break, Barlow has a 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB with seven saves, three wins and three holds, and no other right-hander has picked up a save for Kansas City since Greg Holland (shoulder) on July 23.

Carlton was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after Monday's loss to the Pirates.

Carlton was promoted over the weekend and made his major-league debut Saturday, retiring the only batter he faced. The 25-year-old will head back to Toledo, where he has a 3.12 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 48:10 K:BB across 49 innings this season.

Wells will start Tuesday's game against the Royals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wells hasn't made an appearance since he was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, but he'll make his fourth big-league start of the season Tuesday. The southpaw has recorded a 7.71 ERA and 1.93 WHIP in 18.2 innings across six appearances (three starts) for the Orioles this season.

Lopez exited early during his relief appearance in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Royals with right ankle pain, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports. He retired the lone batter he faced and was credited with his second hold of the season.

Pitching for the fifth time in seven days, Lopez lasted just three pitches before departing after he appeared to tweak his ankle while attempting to cover first base. According to Dubroff, Lopez is scheduled to undergo further diagnostic testing Monday, so an update may not be available until Tuesday. Since moving from the rotation to the bullpen Aug. 21, Lopez has given up two earned runs while striking out 10 over 8.1 innings.

Foster was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Foster had been in the big-league bullpen since Wednesday. Both his appearances in his latest stint in the majors went poorly, as he allowed three runs on five hits over 2.1 innings of work. Jimmy Lambert was called up to take his place on the roster.