MLB Player News

Puk (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

It will be the first time he's faced hitters since he had an internal brace procedure on his left elbow last June. If things go well for Puk on Tuesday, he could appear in an Arizona Complex League game Saturday. Puk should be ready to rejoin the Diamondbacks' bullpen sometime in June as long as he doesn't encounter any setbacks.

The Astros designated Bolton for assignment Monday.

Bolton has collected a 5.40 ERA and 22:14 K:BB over three starts and five relief appearances for Houston this season. The 27-year-old has a chance to pass through waivers unclaimed, and if that happens, he'd likely stick around as depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.

The Mariners optioned Gonzalez to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Gonzalez is unscored upon in four relief outings for Seattle this season but nonetheless finds himself jettisoned back to the minors. Robinson Ortiz will absorb his spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

The Mariners recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Ortiz has earned his first big-league promotion after collecting a 1.69 ERA and 18:12 K:BB over 16 innings with Tacoma. The 26-year-old lefty will likely be ticketed for low-leverage work out of the Seattle bullpen.

Kriske (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for at least three weeks, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

Kriske landed on the 15-day injured list last Wednesday with a right shoulder impingement. He will need some time to get built back up following the shutdown period, which makes it unlikely Kriske will return until July.

The Cardinals outrighted Shuster to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Shuster has the ability to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency, but he made the choice to stick around in the organization last month and could do so again. The left-hander has made four relief appearances this season for St. Louis, yielding three runs (two earned) with a 2:3 K:BB over 7.2 frames.

The Rays placed Sulser on the 15-day injured list Monday with a lower-back strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's unclear when Sulser's back began bothering him, but he hadn't pitched since last Wednesday. His spot on the active roster and in the bullpen will be taken over by Chase Solesky, who was recalled from Triple-A Durham.

The Guardians optioned Heuer to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

Heuer will cede his spot in the bullpen and on the active roster to right-hander Shawn Armstrong (groin), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. After being recalled from Triple-A last Wednesday, Heuer made a lone appearance during his stint in the big leagues, striking out two batters and allowing one run on three hits and one walk in two innings in Sunday's 10-3 win over the Reds.

The Guardians reinstated Armstrong (groin) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Armstrong will be taking over the 26-man active roster and bullpen spot of right-hander Codi Heuer, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus. Shelved since April 26 due to a right groin strain, Armstrong proved his health after making two rehab appearances with Double-A Akron last week.

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

Morgan will be up with the Royals for his third stint in the majors of the season. Over seven appearances for Kansas City, the righty reliever has yielded three earned runs on eight hits and six walks over 10.1 innings. He's been even more dominant in his 11.1 innings with Omaha, submitting a spotless ERA and 0.63 WHIP while striking out 18 batters.