MLB Player News

Taylor (illness) will throw a simulated game Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

A positive COVID-19 test significantly delayed Taylor's preseason buildup. He's reportedly not close to returning to action.

Martin (illness) was activated from the injured list Tuesday.

Martin missed the majority of camp after testing positive for COVID-19. He's ready to go following a brief buildup period and should be one of the top lefties in a depleted Rangers bullpen that's without Joely Rodriguez (lat) and Rafael Montero (elbow).

Giles will receive a second opinion on his strained right forearm and remains shut down for now, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

A forearm strain is sometimes the initial diagnosis for an injury which winds up requiring a very lengthy recovery time, though there's been no indication so far that this is one of those cases. His return timeline should become clear after he receives the second opinion. In the meantime, Anthony Bass should be the Blue Jays' primary ninth-inning option.

Diekman earned his second hold in a win over the Angels on Monday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he issued two walks and recorded three strikeouts.

It was a bit of an adventure for the left-hander, who needed 23 pitches to navigate the frame thanks to the two free passes he issued. However, Diekman worked around his troubles by striking out the big-name trio of Shohei Ohtani, Justin Upton and Albert Pujols, the latter an inning-ending whiff with Mike Trout on second base. The 33-year-old Diekman has already logged three scoreless appearances across his first four games, and given early returns, manager Bob Melvin is likely to continue calling on him frequently.

Beeks was credited with a hold in a win over the Braves on Monday, recording seven strikeouts but also allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and a wild pitch over three innings.

The left-hander kept things interesting during his rollercoaster of a multi-inning appearance. Beeks' outstanding swing-and-miss stuff was partly offset by a mistake pitch to Matt Adams, which the veteran laced 355 feet for a three-run home run in the sixth inning. Otherwise, the 27-year-old did fill his long-relief role well and has opened the season with a stellar 12:0 K:BB over five innings across two appearances.

The White Sox are hoping 10 days of treatment will allow Lopez (shoulder inflammation) to recover, the Chicago Tribune reports.

An MRI on his right shoulder revealed inflammation, and sometimes treatment and rest can lead to recovery, but often such a diagnosis precedes an extended absence. In the meantime, Gio Gonzalez has stepped into Chicago's rotation.

Graveman (0-1) took the loss Monday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out seven over four innings versus the Astros.

Graveman went once through the Astros' order without much difficulty, but he did not fare so well after that. After missing nearly two whole seasons due to Tommy John surgery, Graveman earned a spot in the Mariners' six-man rotation in 2020. The seven strikeouts are a legitimate silver lining, but he needs to prove he can turn a lineup over more than once to become a viable option in most mixed leagues. He'll hope for better results when he faces his former team, the Athletics, on Sunday.

Fulmer allowed four runs on five hits and a walk across two innings in a no-decision Monday against the Royals. He struck out two.

Making his first MLB start since 2018, Fulmer was done in by the long ball, as he allowed home runs to Maikel Franco, Whit Merrifield and Salvador Perez. The Tigers capped Fulmer at 47 pitches, and the righty figures to have his workload carefully monitored in his first year back after Tommy John surgery, which limits his fantasy appeal. He lines up to start again Sunday against the Reds, though he'll likely face another innings/pitch count restriction in that outing.

Pruitt (elbow) has been shut down from throwing, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

This is an ominous sign for a pitcher who was diagnosed with elbow inflammation a couple weeks ago. Given the shortened season, it's quite possible Pruitt won't be heard from at all in 2020. The Astros are very shorthanded in the pitching department, as Justin Verlander, Ryan Pressly and Chris Devenski have all been diagnosed with arm injuries in the last 48 hours.

Devenski is battling arm soreness, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

He gave up three runs on three hits and one walk in one inning during Sunday's game. Ryan Pressly is also down with elbow soreness, so the Astros will have to lean heavily on their young relievers. Devenski is without a timeline to return to game action.