MLB Player News

Pressly (back) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Everything seemed to go fine for the veteran reliever. Pressly is not expected to need a rehab assignment and is eligible for activation Thursday, so Monday's live BP session was likely the final hurdle he needed to clear before he's deemed fit to return. He's been out since mid-August with a lower-back strain.

The White Sox recalled Peralta's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Chicago optioned starter Ky Bush to Triple-A to open up a spot on the active roster for Peralta, who will give the White Sox a fresh arm out of the bullpen. Peralta has previously made seven appearances for Chicago this season, giving up six earned runs on 16 hits and six walks over 10.2 innings.

The Rays optioned Lopez to Triple-A Durham on Monday.

Tampa Bay recalled Lopez from Triple-A to make a spot start Sunday in place of Shane Baz (illness), who was unable to make his turn through the rotation while recovering from the flu. Though Lopez settled for a no-decision in his second career MLB start, he held a talented Dodgers lineup to one run on two hits and two walks over five innings. The Rays' decision to demote Lopez likely indicates that Baz will be ready to take the hill when his next turn comes up this weekend versus the Padres.

The Rays selected Ramirez's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday.

Ramirez will begin his second stint with the Rays of the season, as he was previously called up from Triple-A on April 20 and produced a 4.50 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 16 innings before being cast off the 40-man roster about a month later. The Rays optioned lefty Jacob Lopez to Triple-A in a corresponding move to clear a spot on the active roster for Ramirez, who will likely fill a multi-inning role out of the bullpen.

Alexander (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday and could face live hitters at some point this week, the Associated Press reports.

This is the first report of Alexander picking up a ball since going on the IL on Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis. The veteran southpaw appears to be making timely progress overall, and if he does indeed face hitters this week without setbacks, he could potentially return when eligible without the need for a rehab assignment.

Smith (4-1) took the loss Sunday versus the Astros, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out two over one inning.

Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz went back-to-back on consecutive pitches in the seventh inning, and the Orioles weren't able to bounce back, leaving Smith with his first loss of the year. Smith was pretty effective after initially joining the Orioles in mid-July, but he's now been on the hook for multiple runs in three of his last four appearances. Since Aug. 10, he's allowed 10 runs (nine earned), including five home runs, over seven innings. Smith is now at a 4.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB overall 48.1 innings between Baltimore and Miami this year.

Pressly (back) threw another bullpen session Saturday and is expected to return from the injured list when first eligible, MLB.com reports.

Saturday's activity marked Pressly's second bullpen session since being placed on the injured list. Manager Joe Espada also noted that Pressly won't need a rehab assignment, putting him in line to return Aug. 29.

The Royals recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

He'll absorb the roster spot vacated by Will Smith (back), who was placed on the injured list. Hernandez has permitted eight runs (six earned) with a 14:9 K:BB over 15.2 frames this season during his time with the big club.

The Royals placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Monday with low-back spasms.

Smith had been bludgeoned for 14 runs over 4.2 innings cover his last five appearances. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined. Carlos Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take Smith's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen.

The Red Sox selected Keller's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Keller rejected an option to Worcester earlier this month before re-signing with Boston on a minor-league deal. He's now back in the big leagues to provide a fresh arm for Boston's bullpen.