MLB Player News

Murfee (elbow) tossed 25 pitches in live batting practice at the Astros' spring training facility in Florida on Monday, MLB.com reports.

Throwing live BP represents another milestone in the recovery process for Murfee, who underwent surgery last July to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow. The Astros could have him throw a couple more live BP sessions before he heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Murfee could be an option for the Houston bullpen in late August or early September.

Holmes won't be available to pitch Monday against the White Sox for rest purposes, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Holmes was forced to battle to secure a four-out save during Sunday's 8-7 victory over the Rangers, firing 24 of 45 pitches for strikes. Skipper Aaron Boone failed to disclose who he would deploy in a save situation Monday, only that Holmes would be shut down for the day following a heavy workload.

Beck (arm) will throw three innings in his rehab appearance with Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Beck continues to work his way back from surgery on March 3 to address an upper right arm aneurysm. He made his first rehab outing Thursday, when he allowed one run on four hits while striking out four across three innings. If Beck does end up returning to the majors this season, he'll likely work out of the Giants' bullpen rather than the starting rotation.

Gibaut (forearm/calf) has resumed throwing but is doing so at less than full effort, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Gibaut has been out all season with a forearm injury, but a more recent calf strain is why he's not yet throwing with full intensity. He should have a shot to make it back before the end of the season, but there's no timetable for his return.

Suter (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Assuming that goes well, Suter will likely be cleared to begin a rehab assignment next week. It was initially looking like the left-hander would be out until September after he was diagnosed in late July with a partial tear of his left teres major muscle, but he's recovered more quickly than expected.

The Rockies optioned Rogers to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Rogers' latest stint in the majors lasted just one day, as he allowed one run over 1.2 innings in a relief appearance Sunday versus Atlanta. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Bradley Blalock, who was called up from Double-A Hartford to start Monday's game in Arizona.

The Rockies recalled Blalock from Double-A Hartford and will have him start in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

With Cal Quantrill dealing with general forearm soreness, German Marquez (elbow) out for the season and Ryan Feltner (shoulder) and Dakota Hudson (eblow) both on the 15-day injured list, the Rockies were slim on options in their starting rotation and have opted to call up Blalock to fill the void. Blalock was acquired by Colorado in late July as part of the package for right-hander Nick Mears. Blalock is 5-3 across 18 starts in Double-A this season with a 4.36 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 86.2 innings. He appeared in one game for the Brewers out of the bullpen in June, but he'll be making his first MLB start Monday in his Rockies debut.

Manager Matt Quatraro said Monday that he expects Schreiber (knee) to begin his rehab assignment Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Schreiber landed on the 15-day IL on July 29 due to a right knee patella tendon injury. He threw his second bullpen session Sunday, and the 30-year-old right-hander is ready to embark on a rehab assignment to prepare himself for a return to the big club. Across 43 major-league outings this season, Schreiber has registered one save and 20 holds with a 4.14 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 37 innings.

The Diamondbacks reinstated Walston (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Reno.

With Eduardo Rodriguez and Merrill Kelly both recently returning from the IL, the Diamondbacks don't have an open spot on the rotation for Walston. For now, Walston will head down to Triple-A, but the 23-year-old southpaw should eventually make his way back to the big club, possibly as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen if the rotation isn't impacted by injury. Prior to landing on the IL on June 6 due to left elbow inflammation, Walston registered a 2.84 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 12.2 innings in three major-league appearances (two starts).

Manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Brown (neck) has been shut down from throwing "for the time being," Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Brown continues to experience lingering discomfort in his neck that has kept him on the injured list since June 11. Counsell did note that the situation is not season-ending, and he expressed confidence that rest will be enough for Brown to recover, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune.