MLB Player News

Cimber (shoulder) threw from 90 feet Monday and Thursday, per MLB.com.

Cimber was placed on the injured list June 15 due to right shoulder inflammation one day after a poor outing against San Francisco , though he reportedly had been getting treatment on the shoulder prior to that appearance. The righty reliever appears to be making progress in his recovery given his recent throwing. However, it's unclear when Cimber might be ready to return to the Angels' bullpen.

Leiter (forearm) began a throwing program Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Manager Craig Counsell said Leiter is slated to throw again Saturday as the right-hander begins his ramp-up process. It's certainly is a positive sign that the 33-year-old was able to start a throwing program just five days after landing on the IL with a strain in his right (throwing) forearm. He'll still most likely remain on the injured list for more than a minimum-length stay, but a return before the All-Star break hasn't been ruled out yet.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Brown (neck) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brown was cleared to resume throwing last week, and Saturday will mark his first time working off a mound since he landed on the injured list June 11 with a left neck strain. The 24-year-old righty remains without a firm return timeline, though he will likely require another bullpen session or two before moving on to facing live hitters.

The Red Sox claimed Speas off waivers from the Astros on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Speas was DFA'd by the Astros last week, and although he'll remain in Triple-A with his new organization, he'll claim a spot on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old righty has accumulated a gaudy 10.38 ERA and 2.26 WHIP through 21.2 total innings in the minors while spending time with three different organizations. Barring significant improvement, a return to the majors is unlikely.

Hendriks (elbow) threw a second bullpen session Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

All 20 of Hendriks' pitches Friday were fastballs, and the right-hander noted Saturday that three more bullpen sessions are planned next week. The 35-year-old is working his way back from Tommy John surgery last August, and he is aiming to return to the majors before the end of the regular season. In his last full season in 2022 as a member of the White Sox, Hendriks registered a 2.81 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 85:16 K:BB across 57.2 innings.

Burdi (hip) will throw a live bullpen session Sunday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Sunday will mark the first time Burdi has thrown since landing on the injured list May 24 due to right hip inflammation. In 12 appearances before the injury, he posted a 1.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 9.2 innings. More bullpen sessions will be in store for the 31-year-old right-hander -- barring any setbacks after Sunday -- as he aims to return after the All-Star break.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Mata (shoulder) felt good after his rehab start Thursday, and the right-hander will start again for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

In his first rehab outing for Worcester on Thursday, Mata allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 frames. He opened the season on the injured list with a right hamstring strain, and he's been dealing with lat and shoulder soreness since May. Mata is out of minor-league options, and the 25-year-old right-hander is expected to work as a reliever out of Boston's bullpen once his rehab program is complete.

The Diamondbacks optioned Hughes to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Hughes owns a 2.00 ERA through 27 frames at Triple-A, but he allowed four earned runs in 3.1 innings after joining the Diamondbacks' bullpen Sunday. He'll now be sent back to Triple-A to make room for Zac Gallen (hamstring), who was reinstated from the IL in a corresponding move.

The Guardians optioned McCaughan to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

After being recalled by the big club Thursday, McCaughan pitched four innings against the Royals on Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out one. The move makes room on the 26-man roster for right-hander Eli Morgan (elbow), who was activated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Guardians activated Morgan (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Morgan will return from his second IL stint this season after recovering from right elbow inflammation. He made two rehab appearances in Triple-A, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. To make room for Morgan on the 26-man roster, Darren McCaughan was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.