MLB Player News

Oakland selected Patton's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Patton has been with Las Vegas since being designated for assignment by the Athletics in mid-May, and he ultimately wound up earning another look from the big club. He will provide depth in Oakland's bullpen.

Brebbia (lat) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

After completing a throwing progression, Brebbia has been deemed ready for his first game action since mid-June, when he was placed on the injured list with a right lat strain. Since the Giants aren't expected to deploy Brebbia has anything more than a one- or two-inning reliever or opening pitcher once he's activated from the 60-day IL, the right-hander isn't expected to require the full 30-day rehab window to prepare himself for a return to the big leagues. Brebbia notched two wins and six holds while pitching to a 3.14 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 28.2 innings over 29 appearances with the Giants prior to landing on the IL.

Maton (elbow) could return from the 15-day injured list Sunday when first eligible, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maton threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Monday without issue, and he's set to throw another Wednesday. If all goes well Wednesday, Maton looks like he could return to the Houston bullpen this weekend without going on a minor-league rehab assignment beforehand.

Chavez (shin) said Monday that he threw a live batting practice session without any discomfort, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 40-year-old right-hander has been on the shelf since mid-June with what was initially diagnosed as a left shin contusion, but after he underwent an MRI once the swelling on his leg subsided, he was revealed to have suffered a microfracture. The updated diagnosis explains why Chavez has been on the mend for nearly two months, but he appears to be nearly healed up from the microfracture. Chavez said he'll first need to prove that he can run at full speed and field his position without issue before getting the green light to head out on a rehab assignment, possibly within the next week or two.

Martinez was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Martinez was optioned to the Triple-A level after being tagged for seven earned runs in his last appearance with the Astros, but he earned his way back to the big leagues by blanking the opponent in six the seven minor-league games he appeared in since the start of August.

The White Sox optioned Cronin to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Cronin will head back to the minors to clear room on the 26-man active roster for designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (groin), who was reinstated from the paternity list. After garnering his first big-league call-up July 28, Cronin proceeded to make five appearances out of the White Sox bullpen, logging a 7.71 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over seven innings.

McCaughan was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

McCaughan had a trio of stints with the Mariners earlier in the year, and he will get another one before August comes to a close. He was not up for long in any of the three previous instances, and that could be the case again this time around with fellow pitcher Bryan Woo (forearm) on the verge of a return.

The Phillies optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Ortiz will cede his spot in the Phillies bullpen to lefty Jose Alvarado (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. After being called up from Lehigh Valley on Aug. 13, Ortiz made two appearances in relief and scattered three hits and no walks over two scoreless innings.

The Phillies reinstated Alvarado (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Alvarado should slide into a late-inning role for the Phillies while he rejoins the club for the first time since the All-Star break, though he likely won't factor into the equation for saves with Craig Kimbrel having seemingly solidified himself as the team's clear top closing option at this stage. Prior to being activated, the southpaw looked sharp over his two rehab appearances at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, tossing a pair of scoreless innings while striking out three and allowing two baserunners.

The Cardinals optioned Zuniga to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He'll head back to the minors to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for left-hander Drew Rom, who was called up from Memphis ahead of his first MLB start Monday in Pittsburgh. Zuniga was up with the Cardinals for just two days during his latest stint in the big leagues, striking out two and giving up one run over one inning in his lone relief appearance.