MLB Player News

The Twins reinstated Okert (personal) from the bereavement list Monday.

Right-hander Randy Dobnak was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster for Okert, who was away from the team for the past week while tending to the personal matter. Okert has mostly operated as a middle-relief arm for the Twins this season, logging a 4.45 ERA and 1.48 WHIP to go with three wins, one save and six holds over 30.1 innings.

The Twins optioned Dobnak to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Dobnak wasn't going to be available for at least a day or two after throwing three scoreless relief innings in Sunday's loss to the Guardians. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to left-hander Steven Okert (personal), who was reinstated from the bereavement list.

Atlanta recalled Lee from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Lee will give the bullpen another left-hander with A.J. Minter (hip) going on the 15-day injured list. The 30-year-old has been terrific during his time in the majors this season, posting a 2.00 ERA and 49:14 K:BB across 45 relief innings.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Romano (elbow) is "progressing well" and is "feeling good" following his July 3 arthroscopic surgery, but the right-hander has yet to restart a throwing program, MLB.com reports.

After being placed on the injured list June 1 due to a right elbow inflammation, Romano twice had his throwing program shut down before he eventually required a procedure to repair an impingement. Though the Blue Jays seem satisfied with Romano's condition five weeks after surgery, he likely won't be rushed back into action, especially with Toronto out of playoff contention. Romano hasn't been ruled out from pitching again this season, but once he starts throwing again, the Blue Jays will have to wait and see how the 31-year-old's elbow responds before mapping out a potential target date for his return from the IL.

Atlanta placed Minter on the 15-day injured list Monday with left hip inflammation.

It's the same injury that caused him to miss more than a month of action earlier this season. Atlanta hasn't provided a timeline for Minter to return from his latest hip injury, but the club will now be without him until at least late August. Dylan Lee was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Minter's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen.

Waguespack (shoulder/back) is hopeful to resume throwing bullpen sessions by Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Initially placed on the injured list May 6 with right rotator cuff inflammation, Waguespack was cleared to make a rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 25, only to fall victim to a lower-back issue that has kept him from pitching in a game ever since. He received injections Aug. 5 to address the back issue, and assuming the shots had the desired effect, Waguespack will take the next step forward in his throwing program by getting back on the mound this week. Even though the Rays likely envision Waguespack serving as a multi-inning reliever rather than a starter when he returns from the IL, he'll still likely need multiple weeks to complete a throwing progression and minor-league rehab assignment.

Bednar (3-5) took the loss Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out a batter over 1.2 innings.

Bednar was able to successfully send the game into extras with a scoreless ninth inning. He was staked a one-run lead after the Pirates scored in the 10th but immediately gave it back after Enrique Hernandez led off the bottom half with a double. He was able to get a strikeout on Jason Heyward and a foul out by Shohei Ohtani before Teoscar Hernandez walked things off with a base hit to right. Sunday was the fifth straight outing for Bednar allowing at least a run. He's only given up one home run over that span but has a 5:7 K:BB as well. Aroldis Chapman has allowed just one run in 10 appearances since July 20, however, there's been no indication of a possible change at closer for right now. Bednar, who came into this year making each of the last two All-Star games, now owns a 5.75 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB in 40.2 innings.

Diaz picked up the save Sunday against Milwaukee, striking out two during a perfect ninth inning.

Diaz needed only 14 pitches to retire Willy Adames, Garrett Mitchell and Joey Ortiz in order. The 27-year-old reliever has converted on 23 of his 25 save chances this season and has a 4.17 ERA with a 40:25 K:BB across 41 innings.

Fairbanks picked up the save Sunday against Baltimore, allowing one hit and no walks with three strikeouts across a scoreless ninth inning.

Fairbanks pounded the strike zone, as 12 of his 14 pitches were strikes. The 30-year-old has racked up eight consecutive scoreless innings, with two hits and no walks allowed during that stretch. He's 23-for-25 in save opportunities this season and has a 2.74 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 42.2 innings.

Kimbrel (6-4) took the loss Sunday against Tampa Bay, allowing one run on no hits and three walks (one intentional) across one inning. He struck out two.

Kimbrel entered Sunday's contest in the eighth inning with the score tied 1-1 but couldn't keep the Rays off the board, winding up with the loss. He struggled to find the strike zone early, walking leadoff hitter Brandon Lowe on six pitches and walking Christopher Morel on four pitches a batter later. Kimbrel couldn't hold either baserunner, with Lowe immediately taking second, before a double-steal left Morel and Lowe in scoring position. Looking for a double-play ball, Kimbrel intentionally walked Josh Lowe. However, Curtis Mead delivered the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. Kimbrel has surrendered at least one run in four of his last seven appearances and hasn't generated a save since July 7. The Orioles have looked elsewhere during the ninth inning in the wake of the 36-year-old's inconsistency, as Seranthony Dominguez picked up the save Saturday even though Kimbrel hadn't pitched in three days.