MLB Player News

Jimenez (back) threw a successful bullpen session Monday and is slated for game action on Thursday, Emily Waldon of 2080 Baseball reports.

Jimenez has been on the shelf since early May and has been rehabbing with the Tigers' affiliate in Lakeland. The team announced he'd be out for about a month, so his activity now is in line with that timeline. Jimenez will be reevaluated after Thursday's outing, at which point he could return to Triple-A Toledo, where he was before the injury.

Farmer (2-0) got tagged for six runs on nine hits over 2.1 innings but was able to escape with a no-decision in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Diamondbacks. He struck out four.

The 26-year-old was dragged back to earth by a Diamondbacks squad that ranks second in the league against right-handers in wOBA (.348) after two strong starts against lesser offenses. Farmer gets another tough test Sunday at home against the Rays (fifth in wOBA against RHP at .341).

Kahnle struck out one over a scoreless inning in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Orioles.

With injuries to several relievers, including setup man Nate Jones (elbow), Kahnle has emerged as a reliable arm out of the pen for manager Rick Renteria. Chicago's bullpen, which ranks sixth with a 3.54 ERA, hasn't missed a beat as guys like Kahnle and Anthony Swarzak have stepped up to take on high-leverage roles. In 11 outings since allowing home runs in consecutive appearances in mid-May, Kahnle has permitted one run on six hits and two walks while striking out 18 over 11.1 innings. If Jones' elbow injury lingers and the White Sox eventually trade closer David Robertson, Kahnle could be in line for save opportunities.

Martinez struck out only one Astro in Tuesday's start, but he allowed just two runs on five hits without a walk over six innings. He didn't factor into the decision in an eventual 4-2 win.

This outing marks the third time Martinez has recorded one or zero strikeouts while pitching five-plus innings this year. While he does generate a decent number of grounders, Martinez has also surrendered a brutal 13 homers in 54 innings this year, including two solo jobs Tuesday. His stat-shattering downside and lack of upside make the 26-year-old a tough own in fantasy even if he sticks in the rotation after this outing.

Boxberger (back) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Boxberger gave up four earned runs on five hits and a walk across three innings in three appearances for High-A Charlotte and now makes the move up to the Triple-A level. The 29-year-old appears close to making his 2017 debut with the big-league club, but will likely see multiple outings with the Bulls before a final decision on his return date is reached.

Strahm will be on a pitch count of 65 to 70 pitches when he makes his first MLB start Thursday against the Angels, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Thursday's pitch count certainly draws back Strahm's appeal in daily formats, but there's reason for optimism moving forward. Barring some unforeseen circumstance, the club is expected to give the southpaw a string of starts to see what Strahm can do. All 41 of the 25-year-old's big-league appearances have come in relief, but he spent the majority of his last three minor-league seasons having success as a starter.

Manager Joe Girardi announced Tuesday that if Chapman (shoulder) is able to pitch in his High-A rehab game Friday, he'll likely be activated from the disabled list Sunday, Pete Caldera of The Record reports.

Chapman was scheduled to make a rehab appearance with High-A Tampa on Tuesday, but the game was rained out. If all goes according to plan, it appears that the Yankees closer will be able to rejoin the major-league club for the tail-end of this weekend's series against the A's.

Strahm will draw the start Thursday against the Angels, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

Eric Skoglund was originally scheduled to make the start Thursday, but he will be moved to the bullpen with Strahm taking his place in the rotation. Strahm has struggled with his command out of the bullpen this season, posting a 4.50 ERA (5.70 FIP) with a 27.7 percent strikeout rate and 19.2 percent walk rate over 22 innings of relief.

Norris will make his next start Friday against the Rays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Norris was originally tabbed for Saturday's start, but he'll slide up a day to allow Michael Fulmer (shoulder) to get some extra rest before his next start. Norris will now line up to face Tampa Bay righty Erasmo Ramirez.

Santiago (shoulder) is not expected to return Saturday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The lefty was hoping to get the green light to return this weekend, but apparently he failed to convince the team he's ready to return as manager Paul Molitor described Santiago as a "long shot" for the upcoming doubleheader. Minnesota could turn to recent waiver acquisition Chris Heston to start the second game of Saturday's twin bill.