MLB Player News

Johnson (elbow) was activated off the 10-day injured list Friday as expected, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Johnson has been sidelined with elbow inflammation since early April and makes his return to the majors after a six-game minor-league rehab stint. It's not yet clear if the left-hander will be used as a starter or a reliever, though it's worth mentioning the Red Sox will require a fifth starter Sunday at Baltimore.

Rogers (back) could have been used in an emergency in Thursday's game, but the Twins preferred to give him more time to recover, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

It sounds like he could be available this weekend, but expect the Twins to be cautious. Trevor May has entered the closer mix with Rogers ailing.

Phillips was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Phillips is the roster casualty to clear a spot for Luis Ortiz, who starts Friday against Boston. Phillips owns a 7.71 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in 16.1 innings for Baltimore this season.

Ortiz was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to start Friday against the Red Sox, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old will start Friday in place of Andrew Cashner, who was scratched due to a finger issue. Ortiz has struggled with a 7.01 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 41:23 K:BB over 52.2 innings with Norfolk this season, but he nonetheless makes his way to the majors. Friday was already his scheduled day to pitch.

Littell was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

In four appearances with Triple-A Rochester since he was sent down June 2, the right-hander amassed a 2.35 ERA with a 0.52 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB in 7.2 innings. Littell will mostly pitch in low-leverage situations, and he could find himself back in the minors once Adalberto Mejia (calf) is ready to return. Fernando Romero was optioned to Triple-A Rochester to make room for Littell.

Chavez will serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher for Friday's game at Cincinnati, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Chavez will receive his fourth start of the season with the Rangers expected to have a bullpen day Friday. He'll be filling the spot in the rotation that was vacated by Drew Smyly, who could end up picking up the bulk of the innings in relief after transitioning to a bullpen role. Chavez has not surrendered a run in his previous three starting appearances while posting three strikeouts and allowing only two hits over 3.2 innings.

Shawaryn walked two and struck out two over 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Rangers.

After starter David Price's control betrayed him, Boston's bullpen stepped in to save the day. It began with Shawaryn, who entered with one out in the second inning. After Thursday's effort, he's allowed just one hit and one run in 8.1 relief innings while striking out 13. None of his four outings have lasted fewer than two innings. The right-hander was a starter in the minors but appears to have found himself in a new role at the major-league level.

Colome was unavailable to pitch Thursday after throwing 39 pitches the previous night, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Colome was needed for a five-out save Wednesday, rendering him a spectator Thursday regardless of what transpired. When a save situation presented itself, manager Rick Renteria turned to Aaron Bummer, who recorded the first save of his career.

Ottavino (2-2) took the loss Thursday against the White Sox after recording just two outs. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two.

Ottavino came in the seventh inning with the score tied, 4-4. The bulk of his damage came in the form of a go-ahead home run to Leury Garcia which gave the White Sox the lead for good. While Ottavino has given up a homer in consecutive appearances, he still owns a 1.80 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 38:20 K:BB.

Bummer tossed a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save against the Yankees on Thursday, allowing one hit while striking out two.

Alex Colome was presumably unavailable after recording a five-out save Wednesday, so Bummer got the nod to finish things off. The 25-year-old did so in strong fashion, blanking the Yankees to pick up his first save in the big leagues. Through 18 appearances, Bummer owns a 1.37 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB.