MLB Player News

Duran (oblique) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday and expects to face live batters Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

It's an encouraging step for Duran, who recently progressed to mound work after starting the season on the injured list with an oblique strain. The right-hander should face hitters a few times before moving on to a rehab assignment, and he could be back with the Twins before the end of April.

Perez (oblique) has been throwing bullpen sessions and will be ready for a live batting practice session soon, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Perez would presumably be asked to make a rehab appearance or two before returning, but that should be around the corner. The left-handed reliever has been out since the opening weekend of the season with a right oblique strain.

Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

This is simply a case of the fact Pearson has options left working against him, as he's been outstanding this season with a 9:3 K:BB over 6.1 shutout innings out of Toronto's bullpen. He will be back soon enough.

Swanson (forearm) was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Swanson got a late start to the season because of right forearm inflammation but has been cleared to return following three rehab appearances. He is in line for a setup role in the Blue Jays' bullpen, although it's possible he'll be eased back into high-leverage situations.

The Blue Jays reinstated Romano (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Romano recently completed a two-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo and is ready to make his season debut after missing the first few weeks of the season with elbow inflammation. The 30-year-old righty recorded 36 saves in each of the past two seasons, and manager John Schneider indicated Romano will immediately reclaim the closer role now that he's healthy, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Graterol (shoulder) threw a "good" bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.

Graterol won't be available until around mid-May after the Dodgers initially placed him on the 15-day injured list March 19 before later transferring him to the 60-day IL, but the fact that the right-hander is already in the midst of a throwing progression suggests he should be ready to go around the time he's first eligible to return. He'll likely continue the ramp-up process with multiple bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions over the next couple of weeks before perhaps heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment later this month or in early May.

Soriano is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Rays.

Even though he was touched up for four earned runs on six hits in just four innings in his first MLB start last Wednesday against the Rays, Soriano's 6:0 K:BB and eight swinging strikes on 72 pitches were encouraging. He'll get another crack at Tampa Bay in his second turn through the rotation, this time at Tropicana Field after the prior outing came at Angel Stadium. The 25-year-old could hold down a spot in the Anaheim rotation until Chase Silseth (elbow) is ready to return from the injured list.

Bird (0-1) allowed one hit and one unearned run across two-thirds of an inning Monday against the Phillies.

Bird entered the game after other high-leverage options in the Rockies bullpen, most notably Justin Lawrence. With a runner starting the frame on second base, Bird got two quick outs before allowing a single that plated the game-winning run. The Rockies have shuffled reliever roles to begin the season, but Bird still has the only save for the team. It's unclear if he is truly in the mix for saves, as he has allowed at least one earned run in three of his nine appearances and has a 1.66 WHIP with a 4:3 K:B across 9.2 innings.

Lawrence allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning Monday against the Phillies.

Lawrence entered the game in the seventh inning of a tied game to face the Nos. 6-8 hitters in the Phillies lineup. He's made six appearances on the season and entered in non-traditional closer situations in three of his last four outings. Jake Bird has the only save to this point for the Rockies, and he also pitched the 10th inning of Monday's loss.

Simpson (elbow) is expected to throw a bullpen session later this week, MLB.com reports.

Simpson opened the season on the 15-day injured list while recovering from left elbow neuritis, but he appeared in line for close to a minimum-length stay on the shelf after he was able to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Jupiter on April 6. However, he experienced a setback during that one-inning outing and hasn't pitched since. The setback doesn't appear to be a major one given that Simpson should get back on the mound soon, but he still may be around a week away from restarting his rehab assignment.