MLB Player News

McHugh (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

McHugh will get his first taste of live action since the end of the 2016 season, as he's been sidelined for the entirety of the 2017 campaign with a posterior impingement in his right elbow. The righty will need three-to-four rehab outings before rejoining the Astros' rotation, which puts him on track to be activated from the DL in mid-July following the All-Star break.

Webb was recalled by the Yankees on Tuesday.

In a quick turn of events, Webb will head back to the big leagues after being sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. The 26-year-old threw 2.1 scoreless innings of relief for the Yankees this past week and has shown his prospects as a specialty pitcher for left-handed hitters, so he'll get another shot in the team's bullpen.

Armstrong was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old returns one day after being optioned to Triple-A with outfielder Austin Jackson (quad) heading to the DL. Armstrong has a 5.02 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 14.1 innings during his four stints with the Indians this season, and will likely be limited to low-leverage situations.

Smith will be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

A former independent-league pitcher, Smith works with a 95 mph fastball and a useful slider. He was limited to just one appearance for Buffalo in April due to an elbow injury, but has a 3.93 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB in 18.1 innings since returning. Look for him to work primarily in low-leverage situations initially.

Hernandez tossed seven scoreless innings Monday for High-A Down East, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out eight.

Hernandez was blown up in his first two starts with Down East upon receiving the promotion from Low-A Hickory earlier this month, but he's since run up a streak of 13 scoreless frames over his last two turns. The right-hander probably won't reach the upper levels of the Rangers' system until next season, though if he can continue to excel at High-A the rest of the way, he could be an interesting prospect to track heading into 2017.

Alvarez gave up a walk and a hit before recording the final two outs of the fifth inning in Monday's 15-9 loss to the Indians.

Alvarez may have escaped the contest without damage to his ERA, but he failed to clot the bleeding upon replacing starter Cole Hamels with one out and the bases loaded. The lefty would go on to allow all three of Hamels' baserunners to score, cutting the Rangers' lead from five to two by the time he departed. With a 16:13 K:BB and 1.91 WHIP over 14.2 innings this season, Alvarez hasn't made a strong case for further work in high-leverage scenarios.

Kimbrel retired the side in order, striking out one in one inning to earn his 21st save in Monday's 4-1 win over the Twins.

Kimbrel keeps rolling along, having converted 21 saves in 22 opportunities. Boston's bullpen has been one of the better ones in MLB this season, including the work performed by Heath Hembree (double-play grounder) and Matt Barnes (three Ks) on Monday, so getting the ball to Kimbrel has not been a problem this season. A return to the 40-save mark is clearly within reach.

Chapman allowed a run on two hits during the ninth inning but still recorded his eighth save of the season during Monday's win over the White Sox.

The Yankees were in cruise control until Chasen Shreve allowed three runs in the bottom of the ninth frame, and then Chapman entered to hold off the White Sox comeback. While this was Chapman's first save since returning from the disabled list June 18, he's been his dominant self over five appearances with just a single earned run allowed and seven strikeouts through 4.2 innings.

Santiago (shoulder) was activated from the disabled list after Monday's game, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

As expected, Santiago was put on the active roster in time to make Tuesday's start against Boston. He owned a poor 5.26 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 12 starts before he went down with the shoulder injury.

Flynn (back) was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

The left-hander injured his back prior to the start of spring training, and he'll have to earn his way back onto the 25-man roster. Should he secure a promotion, Flynn could provide some help for a Kansas City bullpen that ranks 12th in the AL with a 4.51 ERA. The 27-year-old posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 44 strikeouts across 55.1 innings out of the Royals' bullpen last season .