MLB Player News

Uceta (back) was activated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander landed on the shelf with a back strain July 10, and he'll head to the minors now that he's healthy. Uceta has struggled in 11 outings for the Dodgers, putting together an 8.10 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 18:11 K:BB over 16.2 innings.

Lambert (elbow) will face live hitters Friday in Los Angeles, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Lambert has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in July 2020. This latest news mark the most encouraging update yet for the right-hander, as it signals that he could be ready for a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future. If Lambert continues to progress well, he could become an option to pitch for the big club during the season's final month.

Nelson (back) pitched off a mound at Dodger Stadium on Monday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Monday marked the first time Nelson has thrown off a mound since going on the injured list with a left lumbar strain July 9. Though there had been optimism that the right-hander could return to the active roster early this week, it now appears that he'll need more time before he's ready to rejoin the big club.

Kranick was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Kranick was sent back to Triple-A after making a spot start during Pittsburgh's July 10 doubleheader against the Mets. The Pirates have not confirmed a starter for Wednesday's series finale, so Kranick could be a logical option to fill that void. The right-hander has a 5.47 ERA across six Triple-A starts but has allowed just three earned runs during his eight big-league innings.

Alexander was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with left shoulder inflammation, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander spent two months on the shelf with shoulder inflammation before rejoining the active roster in early July, but he's apparently not fully recovered from the issue. Alexander is without a timeline for his return since the severity of the aggravation remains unclear.

Mears was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Tuesday's game against Arizona.

Mears will rejoin the Pirates after being optioned just two days prior. The right-hander has yet to appear in a big-league game despite this marking his fourth trip to the big leagues this season. He's posted a 5.30 ERA across 18.2 innings with Indianapolis.

The Mets recalled Hartlieb from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The righty has appeared in four big-league games this season, posting a 7.71 ERA and 4:5 K:BB in 4.2 innings of work with the Pirates. Hartlieb will serve as much-needed bullpen depth following Monday's 11-inning affair that saw the Mets use six arms out of the bullpen. Jose Peraza (finger) was placed on the IL in a corresponding move.

Llovera was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

The right-hander was sent to Triple-A over the weekend but will make a quick return to the Phillies with relievers JD Hammer and Bailey Falter having been placed on the COVID-19 injured list. Llovera pitched a scoreless frame in his lone appearance of the season and should fill a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Yamamoto (shoulder) has been throwing bullpens in Florida and could move toward a rehab assignment soon, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Yamamoto has already missed nearly two months with right shoulder soreness. His return isn't imminent, but it looks as though he'll be back well before the end of the season if he can avoid setbacks.

Hammer (undisclosed) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies continue to have COVID-19 issues, with Hammer and Bailey Falter the latest players to land on the specialized injured list. It's unclear whether either player has tested positive for the virus, but they'll remain away from the team until they clear the health and safety protocols.