MLB Player News

The Blue Jays recalled Swanson from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Swanson's first 12 appearances at Buffalo didn't go well, as he was tagged for 22 runs (17 earned) over 10 innings. He had been better lately though, yielding two runs with a 5:1 K:BB over his last 5.1 frames. Swanson likely won't see high-leverage work right away, but he could find himself in a prominent role if the Blue Jays ship out relievers like Yimi Garcia and Trevor Richards before the trade deadline.

Little will undergo an MRI on his injured left shoulder Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Little landed on the 15-day injured list just before the All-Star break and will now go through imaging to assess the severity of the issue. The left-handed reliever has put up a 3.46 ERA and 28:18 K:BB over 26 innings out of the Cubs' bullpen in 2024.

Lambert (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with the White Sox' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Lambert has been out all season with a right rotator cuff strain. Given how much time he's missed, he will require several rehab appearances. Lambert posted a 5.26 ERA and 41:20 K:BB over 37.2 innings with the White Sox in 2023.

The Nationals optioned Willingham to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

He made one appearance during his brief time with the big club, allowing two runs over an inning of work. Willingham is being cleared out to make room for Jose Ferrer in the Nationals' bullpen.

The Nationals activated Ferrer (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his left shoulder. He will give the team a second left-hander in the bullpen behind Robert Garcia, something the Nationals have not had in 2024 until now.

Alzolay (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with the Cubs' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Alzolay has been on the shelf since mid-May with a right flexor strain but is ready for game action. The reliever will need many rehab appearances and will eventually move up to a higher affiliate, so he's likely still at least a couple weeks away from a return.

Brown (neck) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Brown had to be shut down again just before the All-Star break due to lingering discomfort in his neck, but he appears to be feeling better. The right-hander hasn't made a game appearance in six weeks, so he's going to need several rehab outings before becoming an option for the Cubs again.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Merryweather (ribs) is on track to return by next weekend "at the latest," Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Merryweather has allowed one run with a 3:0 K:BB over three innings on his rehab assignment and will make a fourth appearance Friday, this one with Triple-A Iowa. He's been out since early April with a rib stress fracture but should quickly rejoin Chicago's high-leverage crew once activated.

The Cubs selected Tinoco's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Tinoco was acquired from the Royals in a trade Tuesday and will go straight onto the major-league roster rather than report to Iowa. The 29-year-old reliever holds a career 4.58 ERA and 61:47 K:BB over 57 appearances at the major-league level. He allowed nine runs over 10 innings in a stint with the Rangers earlier this season.

Murfee (elbow) resumed throwing full bullpen sessions June 21, MLB.com reports.

Murfee had previously been limited to throwing off the slope of the mound, but he's since taken a step forward in his recovery from last July's Tommy John surgery. He had been limited to throwing fastballs during his initial bullpen sessions, but it's possible he's been able to incorporate more breaking pitches in the month since being cleared for mound work. Murfee could be cleared to face hitters shortly after the All-Star break and could return from the 60-day injured list later in the second half.