MLB Player News

Pearson (groin) has been throwing off flat ground, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

This is a step in the right direction for Pearson, who landed on the injured list over the weekend due to a groin injury. He still has to pass a few tests before being cleared for mound work, but the Blue Jays are hoping that could happen by the end of next week.

Borucki (elbow) is scheduled to pitch for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays on Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Per Zwelling, Borucki is scheduled to throw three innings in what will mark his first game action since injuring his elbow near the end of spring training. The right-hander will need plenty of time to build back up given the length of his absence, suggesting a return is at least multiple weeks away.

The Royals designated Boxberger for assignment Wednesday.

Though Boxberger had turned in a palatable 3.77 ERA in 17 appearances since the beginning of May, his 1.40 WHIP and 5.7 BB/9 didn't paint as rosy a picture of his performance. He'll be replaced in the Kansas City bullpen and active roster by lefty Tim Hill, who was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move.

The Royals recalled Hill from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

He'll join the bullpen in place of the struggling Brad Boxberger, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. While he's up with the big club, Hill is likely to be deployed mainly in lefty-versus-lefty matchups.

Santiago allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven over five innings for Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

The White Sox will need a fill-in starter this coming weekend, but it seems Santiago will be passed over in favor of a bullpen day headed by Carson Fulmer. Santiago threw 72 pitches (48 strikes) for the Knights in his first start since May 16. He may be considered for a big-league start soon.

Burke (shoulder, blisters) was activated off the injured list and has been assigned to Low-A Hickory, James Schmehl of MLB.com reports.

The left-handed Burke was placed on the IL in April when he was pitching for Double-A Frisco. The down time resulted in him dropping back a couple of rungs on the organizational ladder.

McHugh returned to action and pitched a scoreless ninth inning in which he allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Pirates.

McHugh missed close to six weeks while rehabbing an elbow injury. Manager AJ Hinch described McHugh's role to David Barron of the Houston Chronicle as being "good against right-handed hitters and to be a weapon," but stopped short of calling him a right-handed specialist.

Chapman allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts but still earned the save Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Chapman only gave up a pair of singles, but a wild pitch allowed a baserunner to move into scoring position and break a string of 17 straight outings without an earned run allowed. The veteran left-hander is 23-for-25 in save chances with a 1.45 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB this season.

Yacabonis (1-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Padres after surrendering five runs on five hits over 2.2 innings. He struck out two and walked one.

Yacabonis delivered a clean first inning but was touched up for four runs in the second frame. The 27-year-old entered the day with a 4.70 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, but he now has a 5.96 ERA and 1.52 WHIP for the season.

Hand (4-3) took the loss Tuesday and blew his first save of the season, coughing up five runs on five hits without recording an out in the ninth inning as Cleveland was toppled 8-6 by the Royals.

The normally dominant southpaw simply didn't have his best stuff, with a Hunter Dozier grand slam putting an end to his night and his perfect closing record. Hand still sports a 2.36 ERA and 50:8 K:BB through 34.1 innings on the year, with 22 saves in 36 appearances.