MLB Player News

Hill was recalled from the alternate training site Friday.

Hill had a 3.95 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB over 13.2 innings before being demoted at the start of September, so it's not a surprise to see him back in the majors. Dominic Leone was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Lopez will start Saturday's game against the Tigers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old will rejoin the rotation this weekend with Dallas Keuchel (back) landing on the injured list. Lopez allowed seven runs (five earned) with a 10:6 K:BB over nine frames in his three starts after returning from the injured list in August before being demoted to the alternate training site. The right-hander should be a bit more stretched out now, but he's unlikely to receive multiple starts barring unforeseen circumstances.

Giles (forearm) was activated from the 45-day injured list Friday.

Giles made just two appearances this season before landing on the injured list with a strained flexor mass in his right forearm in late July. He avoided surgery, however, and has been throwing for nearly a month. He's expected to make his first appearance or two in a lower-leverage role, as the lack of minor-league baseball this season has prevented him from making any rehab appearances, but he'll likely return to the closer position before the end of the year.

Fairbanks (4-2) was charged with the loss in a defeat at the hands of the Red Sox on Thursday, allowing an earned run on two hits and a walk over one inning. He struck out two.

It was an eventful 23-pitch outing for Fairbanks, who allowed a go-ahead RBI single to Rafael Devers that turned out to be the difference in the game. The 26-year-old right-hander saw his string of five straight scoreless efforts snapped with Thursday's stumble, and the earned run he surrendered was his first since Aug. 10, when he allowed two overall to these same Red Sox.

Alvarado (shoulder) was playing catch at Tropicana Field on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 25-year-old was shut down from throwing Aug. 19, but he's returned been cleared to resume playing catch. Alvarado was shifted to the 45-day injured list in early September and won't be able to return before the end of the regular season, but he could rejoin the team for a potential playoff run.

Smeltzer was recalled from Minnesota's alternate training site in St. Paul on Friday and added to the 28-man roster.

Smeltzer has thrown 16 innings for the Twins this season, making one start and six relief appearances, but he struggled with a 6.75 ERA. With five healthy starters in the rotation and Jake Odorizzi nearing a return, Smeltzer will be used more in middle and long relief than a starter or primary pitcher.

Alexander worked behind starter Jordan Zimmermann in the Tigers' 6-3 win over the Cardinals in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader. He tossed 1.2 innings and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two.

Alexander's previous appearance Sept. 4 had come in a starting role, but he shifted back to the bullpen with Zimmermann's return from a forearm injury providing Detroit with another healthy rotation arm. However, since Zimmermann had been sidelined all season before being activated Thursday, he was pulled after three innings (42 pitches), which allowed Alexander to piggyback him. Detroit should have a fairly normal schedule for the rest of the season with no more doubleheaders currently on tap, so Alexander could have fewer opportunities to work multiple innings.

Romano (finger) remains without a timeline to return from the 10-day injured list, but the Blue Jays expect to gain clarity on that front in the coming days, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

In a related note, manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Ken Giles (forearm) is nearing a return from the 45-day IL, so Romano doesn't look like he'll have a chance at re-entering the closer conversation even if he makes it back before the regular season ends Sept. 27. Before being diagnosed with a sprained right finger and landing on the IL, Romano had been the Jays' best reliever this season, posting a 1.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB in 14.2 innings. Shortly before getting hurt, Romano appeared to settle in as the team's primary ninth-inning man after converting two of three save chances, but Toronto will lean on Rafael Dolis and Anthony Bass as their main closing options until Giles is ready to retake the role.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Giles (forearm) is close to a return from the 45-day injured list and will likely be used "before the ninth [inning]" initially once he's activated, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Since Giles has been on the shelf since late July with a strained right forearm, Montoyo is understandably reluctant to immediately thrust the 29-year-old into his familiar closer role right away while the 24-19 Blue Jays look to protect their positioning in the AL playoff race. So long as Giles looks good in his first appearance or two upon coming off the IL, however, he should move back ahead of Rafael Dolis and Anthony Bass in the pecking order for saves. Toronto hasn't yet put a firm target date on Giles' return from the IL, but his activation could come as soon as this weekend.

Weber improved to 1-2 after working 2.1 innings out of the bullpen and giving up a run on two hits and a walk while striking out four in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Rays.

Weber had started in his last two appearances and fared respectably, but due to a pair of off days this week (Monday and Wednesday) and the expected return of Nathan Eovaldi (calf) from the injured list this weekend, the 30-year-old right-hander was available out of the bullpen. He came on in relief of starter Mike Kickham in the bottom of the fifth and was able to preserve Boston's one-run lead, picking up his first win of the season in the process. Weber will likely slot back into the rotation in next week's series with the Marlins when a fifth starter is needed again.