MLB Player News

Leclerc has tendinitis in his right middle finger and has been shut down for several more days, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

He received an injection Saturday and will not be able to resume his rehab until sometime next week. It is unclear when he will be able to return from the disabled list.

Valdez was recalled by the Blue Jays on Saturday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.

The Blue Jays recently claimed Valdez after he was designated for assignment by the A's. He was touched up for three or more runs in three of his four outings with Oakland earlier in the season. He'll add some depth to the Blue Jays' bullpen, likely as a middle reliever with the capability to go multiple innings if needed.

Mengden (foot) was activated from the disabled list Saturday and optioned to Triple-A Nashville.

Mengden underwent foot surgery in February after suffering a stress fracture in a bullpen session, but has looked solid in recent rehab starts over the past couple weeks. If all goes well at Nashville, the 24-year-old could return to the Oakland rotation within the next month, though he'll need to prove his worth after posting an unimpressive 6.50 ERA over 14 starts in the big leagues last season.

Oxford (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list Saturday.

The reliever has been out since early April with a shoulder strain, but progressed steadily through three rehab appearances and appears ready to get back to regular action. Axford will likely be eased into a late-inning setup role after posting a sluggish 3.97 ERA over 68 appearances last season, though he could make a push for a bigger role with some strong performances. Preferred closer Santiago Casilla has already blown two saves while racking up a 4.96 ERA over 17 appearances.

Tolliver was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Saturday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Tolliver provides bullpen depth and a second left-handed reliever while an established reliever takes the rotation spot of DL-bound Dallas Keuchel (neck). The left-hander compiled a 5.79 ERA over 4.2 innings with the Orioles last year, but has provided a steady arm in the minors this season, posting a 2.70 ERA and a .152 BAA in 10 appearances with Fresno. With Keuchel only expected to miss one start, Tolliver's stay could be a short one, so expect him to be used exclusively in low-leverage situations.

Graveman (2-2) gave up two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox on Friday.

He kept the A's in the game despite being matched up against Chris Sale, an impressive feat even if Graveman wasn't rewarded with a victory. The quality start was his fifth in eight trips to the mound, and he'll look for win No. 3 at home Wednesday against the Marlins.

Pomeranz, who starts Saturday in Oakland six days after leaving his previous start with triceps tightness, can be pushed to throw 100 pitches, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

There does not appear to be any limitations on Pomeranz following his abbreviated start, but fantasy owners may want to tread carefully with the oft-injured left-hander and his 5.29 ERA this season. In between his starts, Pomeranz altered his mechanics to have a shorter delivery, similar to the one he used last season. Manager John Farrell said he was more free and able to consistently repeat his arm stroke.

Kelly struck out two batters during a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Athletics.

Kelly has earned the trust of manager John Farrell, who is buoyed by the reliever's scoreless stretch of 7.1 innings over eight games. The right-hander has allowed five hits and walked just one during that span while throwing strikes on 66 percent of his pitches. He's clearly moving ahead of Matt Barnes for eighth-inning work.

Robertson (3-1) struck out two over two perfect innings and earned the victory in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning win over Seattle.

Robertson entered a tie game in the ninth inning, his fifth straight appearance in a non-save situation, and was sure not to waste Jose Quintana's gem (eight innings, one hit, one run). The wins are helpful for fantasy owners, but Robertson's value is in saves, and Chicago's closer remains stuck on five saves. It's been 23 days since his last save and 20 days since his last opportunity.

Santiago gave up three runs on eight hits over five innings while walking one and striking out one, but got a no-decision in Friday's win over Kansas City.

Santiago had a 2.76 ERA through his first seven starts, but he's struggled his last two outings by giving up nine runs, four home runs and 15 hits over 7.2 innings. He also has just two strikeouts in his last two outings, giving him a problematic 5.9 K/9.