MLB Player News

Loup (elbow) seems to be close to returning from the disabled list, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Manager John Gibbons hinted at Loup's return Wednesday, saying that he could be the player who joins the roster when the Blue Jays decide to go back to a seven-man bullpen. The left-hander hasn't allowed a run in two rehab appearances with Triple-A Buffalo, so he seems to be back in good health. There hasn't been any official move yet, but there is some speculation that Loup could be activated within the next few days.

Boxberger (abdomen) is expected to make his fifth rehab appearance with Double-A Montgomery on Wednesday night, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 27-year-old reliever will take his act to a new setting, and could be in line for at least one more appearance over the weekend with the Biscuits. Boxberger has generated mixed results to date in his four prior trips to the mound with High-A Charlotte and Triple-A Durham, giving up two runs over 3.2 innings, but also striking out six. If the Rays are satisfied with Wednesday's performance, there's a chance that it could be the final rehab outing for the closer before rejoining the big league club.

Venditte was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday Barry Davis of Sportsnet reports.

Venditte will head back to Triple-A to make room for Devon Travis on the big league roster. The 30-year-old had a 4.05 ERA and 1.95 WHIP in his short bullpen stint with the Blue Jays.

Coulombe was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

The lefty reliever had a rocky first outing with the A's, but he settled down over his next two appearances, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no walks. However, with Jed Lowrie and Zach Neal coming back to the big league club Wednesday, Coulombe's spot on the roster was in jeopardy to begin with. He'll head back to Triple-A Nashville, where he figures to continue to work out of the bullpen.

Neal was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Joe Stiglich of CSN California reports.

Neal was expected to join the major league club prior to Wednesday's game after being announced as the probable starter, and now the move has officially been made. The 27-year-old has been dominant as a starter with the Sounds, holding a 5-1 record with a 2.53 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through seven starts, although his 4.5 K/9 leaves something to be desired. He'll look to translate the strong numbers he posted in the minors into his first major league start, where he'll face a strong Mariners lineup.

Luetge was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Luetge did not appear in any game action after being called up to the majors Sunday. This move created space for infielder Kaleb Cowart on the roster.

Manager Paul Molitor said Tuesday that he plans on using Brandon Kintzler and Fernando Abad late in games moving forward with May struggling in a setup role, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The writing was on the wall for May's removal from the setup job -- Molitor brought him in in the third inning Monday after Ricky Nolasco was chased early. May has given up at least one run in five straight appearances (10 runs total in 3.1 innings), with his ERA ballooning from 1.89 to 5.64 in the span of two weeks. Glen Perkins (shoulder) recently suffered a setback, and May could return to the back-end mix eventually, but regaining the skipper's trust will take time.

Boshers was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Boshers was called up after Glen Perkins (shoulder) experienced a setback in his recovery and was placed on the 60-day disabled list. Boshers has an 1.42 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 19 innings pitched at the Triple-A level in 2016. He has saved a couple games for the Triple-A affiliate but figures to work in the middle innings with the big club.

Barnes pitched a perfect ninth inning Tuesday, striking out two in Boston's 8-3 win over Colorado.

Coming in for a clean inning with a five-run lead is pretty low-leverage stuff, but Barnes was impressive Tuesday, hitting 99 mph on the gun while mowing down the heart of the Rockies' order on two Ks and a weak come-backer. The right-hander has been entrusted in more high-leverage spots of late -- he's stranded all but one of 14 inherited runners -- and has not allowed a run in eight of his last 10 appearances. At a time when Boston learned it will be without Carson Smith (Tommy John surgery) for the rest of the season, manager John Farrell is expected to lean more on Barnes for setup work.

Graveman allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Tuesday against Seattle.

Graveman was bailed out of a two-on, one-out situation in the fifth inning by his bullpen, or else this start could have been even worse. Hitters are routinely punishing his mistakes this year, as he has allowed a whopping 56 hits in 47 innings this year. The result has been a brutal 5.36 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. Graveman has just 113 strikeouts in 162.2 innings dating back to last season, and he is just giving up too much contact to be successful right now.