MLB Player News

Lopez (personal) returned to the mound for Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday, completing 5.1 innings while allowing three runs and striking out three in a no-decision versus Indianapolis.

The pitching prospect was scratched from his previous scheduled start to allow him to attend to a personal matter, but it seems he was able to sort everything out in just a few days. After getting himself noticed by pitching well in spring training, Lopez has gone on to post a 3.91 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 64:30 K:BB through 13 starts with the Knights.

McHugh (elbow) will head to Florida this week to face live hitters, Mark Eisenhauer of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This will essentially be spring training for McHugh, who experienced elbow discomfort early in training camp and has yet to throw a ball for the Astros this season. If his initial results in Florida are positive, the right-hander will graduate to a full-on rehab assignment.

Boxberger (back) fired a scoreless inning for Triple-A Durham on Sunday versus Toledo, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.

The 22-year-old worked up to 22 pitches, equaling the most he's thrown in any rehab appearance this season. Boxberger has turned in a trio of scoreless efforts for the Bulls, with Sunday's outing particularly noteworthy since it was the first time he'd pitched consecutive days in his rehab. As per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Boxberger is slated to pitch again Wednesday and could rejoin the team on Friday.

Kimbrel worked around a hit to record his 20th save Sunday against the Astros.

The hit marked the first batter to reach base against Kimbrel since he issued a walk June 6, breaking a streak of four perfect appearances. Kimbrel has now recorded 14 saves in a row and has his ERA down to 0.85.

Manager Jeff Banister said that Martinez will likely start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Tyson Ross' return from the 60-day disabled list over the weekend was expected to relegate Martinez to the bullpen during the upcoming week, but Andrew Cashner's surprising move to the DL with an oblique strain ended up creating another vacancy in the rotation. Given the nature of the injury, Cashner seems likely to miss more than the 10-day minimum, but Martinez may only be asked to make one start in his stead. Cole Hamels, who has been out for the last two months with an oblique injury of his own, is set to make his second rehab start at Double-A Frisco on Wednesday and could be cleared to join the Rangers rotation thereafter, likely assuming Martinez's starting role in the process.

Santiago (shoulder) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins initially left the door open for Santiago to come off the disabled list and rejoin the rotation this week, but after assessing his health following a 45-pitch bullpen session Saturday, the organization determined it was in the lefty's best interest to make a cameo in the minors before being activated. Assuming Santiago's shoulder checks out fine following the start, he'll likely displace fifth starter Nik Turley in the Twins rotation the following week.

Farmer was sent down to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

A promising beginning to Farmer's season was stamped down over his past two starts: He allowed six runs in just 2.1 innings on Tuesday, and the Rays touched him up for seven runs over 2.1 innings on Sunday. After Farmer allowed 14 hits and five home runs in those two starts, his demotion prior to Anibal Sanchez's impending arrival Monday was an easy move for the Tigers.

Chapman (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Sunday.

Chapman endured no complications with his inflamed left rotator cuff during his rehab appearance with Double-A Trenton on Friday, so he'll rejoin the Yankees ahead of their series finale with the Athletics. Though Dellin Betances has been lights out since stepping into the closer's role after Chapman went on the DL a little over a month ago, it's expected that Chapman will settle into the ninth-inning role once he's eased back into the bullpen mix.

Whalen was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Whalen tossed two scoreless innings in Saturday's loss to the Rangers, so his demotion to the minors has less to do with his performance than it does the Mariners' desire to get a fresher arm in the bullpen. Max Povse was added to the active roster to assume Whalen's role as the club's long reliever.

The Mariners purchased Povse's contract from Double-A Arkansas on Sunday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Povse, the Mariners designated Dillon Overton for assignment and optioned Rob Whalen to Triple-A Tacoma. Povse has worked exclusively as a starter with Arkansas, registering a 3.46 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 39 innings, but it's expected that he'll work in long relief while he remains with the big club.