MLB Player News

Smeltzer was optioned to the Twins' alternate training site Monday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Smeltzer has thrown 16 innings for the Twins this season, making one start and six relief appearances. His 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP are both rather unimpressive. Cody Stashak (back) returned from the injured list in a corresponding move.

The Rays plan to reinstate Yarbrough (groin) from the 10-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Nationals in Washington, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

In a rare bit of good news for the injury-ravaged Tampa Bay pitching staff, Yarbrough will end up missing the minimum amount of time due to the sore left groin that landed him on the IL on Aug. 29. Given the brevity of his absence, Yarbrough should be capable of handling a relatively normal workload when he returns Tuesday for his eighth start of the season. Over his first seven outings of 2020, Yarbrough has submitted a 3.65 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB in 37 innings, but he's still sitting on an 0-2 record.

Barria allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings Sunday, striking out six in the win over Houston. He did not factor in the decision.

All three runs allowed by Barria came off early homers; he coughed up a two-run shot to Kyle Tucker in the first inning and served up a solo blast to Aledmys Diaz in the second. The 24-year-old righty left in line for the win, but Houston managed to tie the game up in the seventh frame. Still searching for his first win, Barria will have a tough matchup in Colorado on Saturday.

Hand picked up the save in Sunday's win over Milwaukee, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hand allowed a single to Ryan Braun to begin the ninth, but got Tyrone Taylor to fly out before getting Jacob Nottingham to ground into a game-ending double play. The southpaw has now converted each of his last seven save chances and holds a 2.63 ERA on the campaign.

Bowlan was added to the Royals' 60-man roster Sunday.

Bowlan advanced to High-A Wilmington in 2019 and logged a 2.95 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 76.1 innings, highlighted by a no-hitter in July. He'll now get to develop among some of the organization's top prospects over the final few weeks of the 2020 season.

Hernandez was diagnosed with a stomach contusion after leaving Sunday's game against the White Sox, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez appeared to take a line drive to his stomach Sunday, but he was able to walk off the field under his own power. He appears to have avoided a serious injury.

Hernandez left Sunday's game against the White Sox after being hit by a comebacker, FOX Sports Kansas City reports.

We're still awaiting official word from the Royals, but it appeared as though Hernandez took the line drive to his stomach. He walked off the field under his own power. The righty was making his second big-league appearance.

Perez was recalled from the Astros' taxi squad Sunday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

With Lance McCullers (neck) landing on the IL, Perez was summoned back to the big-league club a day after he was sent packing. The lefty has made four appearances out of the Astros' bullpen this season, allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out six over 4.1 innings.

The Angels optioned Peters to their alternate training site Sunday.

Peters was called up to the big club ahead of Saturday's doubleheader with the Astros. He ended up getting the start for the second game of the twin bill and struggled over 1.2 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on three hits, two of which were home runs. Peters could be back up with the big club the next time the Angels require an extra starting pitcher.

Garcia is likely to be activated to start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays in Buffalo, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Garcia has looked good in his two starts this season, allowing four earned runs and racking up a 12:2 K:BB over 10.2 innings. That is likely to earn him another turn in the rotation, with manager Aaron Boone suggesting Saturday that Garcia will next toe the mound for the finale of the upcoming three-game road series against Toronto. The contest could be an important one both for Garcia and the team -- the Yankees entered Sunday in a tie with the Blue Jays for second place in the AL East.