MLB Player News

Weems (lat) is getting closer to throwing to hitters at the Athletics' alternate training site in San Jose, the Associated Press reports.

Weems went on the injured list Tuesday, but he's apparently making steady progress. Manager Bob Melvin confirmed as much Sunday, saying "I know everything's progressing well" when asked about the hard-throwing reliever. Weems was an early success story for the Athletics after finally making the majors this season, posting a 3.60 ERA and 5:1 K:BB across five innings over two appearances before his injury.

Puk (shoulder) is now playing catch from up to 90 feet at the Athletics' alternate training site in San Jose, the Associated Press reports.

The left-hander continues to make steady progress, as he was maxing out at 75 feet a few days ago. However, despite the encouraging report Sunday, manager Bob Melvin noted that it's still "going to be a while before he [Puk] gets on the mound."

Edwards was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain Monday.

Edwards has been dominant for the Mariners this season and picked up his first save of 2020 during his most recent appearance, but he'll now be sidelined for several games. The move is retroactive to Friday, so the right-hander would be eligible to return in the middle of next week, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to do so. Bryan Shaw was recalled from alternate camp in a corresponding move, and Taylor Williams could have more ninth-inning opportunities in Edwards' absence.

Shaw was recalled from the Mariners' alternate training site Monday.

After being sent to alternate camp Thursday, Shaw will rejoin the major-league bullpen to take the place of Carl Edwards (forearm) on the active roster for now. Shaw struggled mightily in his last three major-league appearances before being optioned, allowing 10 runs over 2.1 innings during that time. Given his lack of production this year, he'll likely pitch in lower-leverage situations.

Johnson recently left the Red Sox's alternate training site in Pawtucket and returned home to Florida, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Johnson nor the team has provided an explanation for his departure, but sources familiar with his situation believe the 29-year-old may opt out of the 2020 season. The southpaw most recently tossed 5.1 innings in a simulated game Friday and was viewed as a potential option for the big-league rotation, but his lack of a 40-man roster spot may have hindered his chances of receiving a callup.

Manager Ron Roenicke said Brasier would serve as the Red Sox's opening pitcher in Monday's game against the Rays, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Brasier hasn't covered more than an inning in any of his five appearances out of the bullpen this season, so unless he works efficiently in the first frame, expect him to bow out of the game in the bottom of the second. According to Koch, Roenicke suggested a day earlier that Colten Brewer will likely cover the bulk of the innings once Brasier exits the game.

Robles hit 97 mph on his fastball for the first time this season in Sunday's loss to Texas, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports. The right-hander allowed one hit and struck out three batters in a scoreless inning of work in the contest.

Robles was bumped from the closer role last week after a miserable start to the campaign, but he has now posted consecutive scoreless outings. The 29-year-old's appearance Sunday was far from the intensity of a save chance -- he came on in the sixth inning with the Angels trailing by three -- but the increased fastball speed is promising nonetheless. Per Torres, Robles has struggled getting his adrenaline up in empty stadiums this season, and the team recently tried to address the issue "nutritionally."

The Rays reinstated Alvarado (personal) from the paternity list Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Tampa Bay cleared a spot for Alvarado on the 28-man active roster by placing starting pitcher Charlie Morton (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list. Since Alvarado was only away from the Rays for the weekend series with the Yankees, he shouldn't need any time to ramp back up. He made six appearances out of the bullpen before heading to the paternity list, giving up two earned runs and striking out nine in 5.2 innings.

Richards covered four innings out of the bullpen in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Yankees, giving up two runs (zero earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out four.

Richards entered the contest in the top of the third inning with no outs and a runner on first base after starter Charlie Morton departed early with right shoulder inflammation. Though he didn't factor into the decision, Richards' quality work helped keep the Rays competitive before the Tampa Bay bats finally woke up over the final three innings. Morton tentatively lines up to make his next start Saturday in Toronto, but if he's unable to move past the injury, Richards would likely be a top candidate to step in for a spot start.

Barnes (1-1) struck out two over an inning and earned the win in Sunday's 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays.

Barnes worked a scoreless ninth inning, setting the stage for Boston's offense to plate two runs in the bottom half of the inning for a walk-off win. He's recorded three consecutive scoreless outings following a rough start. The right-hander will continue to be used in the late innings despite a 5.14 ERA and six walks over seven innings.