MLB Player News

Smith (shoulder) is slated to make another appearance with Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Smith started his rehab assignment with Syracuse on Wednesday, giving up a solo home run in an inning of relief while throwing 13 pitches. The right-hander is recovering from right shoulder inflammation that landed him on the 15-day IL on April 17.

Johnson (elbow) began throwing off a mound Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Just six days after landing on the injured list, Johnson has already been given the go-ahead to throw bullpen sessions. He will presumably throw a few more before progressing to facing hitters, but the 33-year-old righty could be on track to return to Atlanta's bullpen when first eligible May 19.

Saucedo (knee) underwent an MRI on Friday which was encouraging, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Saucedo was placed on the 15-day injured list with a hyperextended right knee Wednesday, and after Friday's imaging, the Mariners are hoping he will return to the bullpen when he's first eligible to be activated May 23. The left-hander might need to make a rehab appearance before being activated.

General manager Justin Hollander said Friday that Santos (lat) will likely remain out until July, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Santos has primarily been throwing from flat ground at the Mariners' complex in Arizona. He will now move his rehab from Arizona to Seattle, though it remains unclear how far away the 24-year-old righty is from throwing off a mound. Santos has been on the IL all season due to a strained right lat.

Phillips (hamstring) was out on the field playing catch Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Phillips was placed on the 15-day IL on Sunday due to a Grade 1 right hamstring strain he sustained May 3 against Atlanta. He is eligible to return May 19, and the right-hander might only miss the minimum. Phillips has eight saves with a 0.66 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB over 13.2 innings this season.

Brash underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Brash injured his right elbow during spring training and was pulled off his throwing program after suffering a setback in late April. He will now miss the remainder of the year as a result of his procedure, and the Mariners are hoping he can return by early June next season.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Friday that Lambert will be moving out of the rotation to the bullpen, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Lambert has started three games for the Rockies this season, giving up at least four runs in each of them. In his last outing against the Cubs on Thursday, Lambert allowed seven runs on nine hits while striking out two over three innings. The right-hander has a 7.61 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 23.2 innings this season. Southpaw Ty Blach could shift into the rotation for Colorado.

Manager Pat Murphy said Friday that Williams (back) is scheduled to begin playing catch within the next two weeks, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Williams will be looked at by a doctor within the next few days, which will help determine how far away he is from beginning a throwing program. Though he seems to be trending in the right direction, the 29-year-old closer is still not expected back until around the All-Star break.

Middleton (forearm) threw off the mound again Friday and is set for a rehab assignment next week, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Middleton is on the cusp of a rehab assignment according to manager Oli Marmol, who explained that the reliever will report to either Double-A Springfield or Triple-A Memphis for his assignment this upcoming week. The right-hander is eligible to return from the 15-day injured list May 17, and he appears to be on track to return from his forearm injury on or close to that date.

The Rangers recalled Anderson from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Anderson will join Texas' bullpen as a replacement for Josh Sborz (shoulder), who landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. Anderson has appeared in four games for the Rangers this season, allowing four earned runs across three innings while striking out five batters and walking none. He will likely be limited to low-leverage situations while in the big leagues.