MLB Player News

Pomeranz (elbow) has been throwing for weeks and stills intends to return to the Padres' bullpen this season, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pomeranz hasn't pitched in a big-league game since 2021 and has encountered multiple setbacks this season while attempting to return. The lefty reliever underwent an arthroscopic procedure in late May to clean up "junk" in his throwing elbow but has since resumed a throwing program. However, Pomeranz hasn't yet tossed any bullpens and will need to restart a minor-league rehab assignment before potentially being activated from the 60-day IL, so he remains at least several weeks away from pitching for the Padres. The veteran did say that he foresees returning this season, stating, "I'm determined to get back to where I was. There's still time left."

Jimenez (shoulder) fired a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sugar Land on Sunday.

Jimenez was making his fourth rehab appearance overall and was able to bounce back from a rocky outing Thursday where he'd surrendered three earned runs over one-third of an inning. Sunday's appearance was Jimenez's first with the Aviators in which he didn't allow a run, so the Athletics would likely want to see him build up some more momentum before activating him.

Estevez (5-1) earned the win in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. He allowed an unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over two innings.

Working two full innings for the first time this season, Estevez allowed just the free runner to score in the 10th inning to lock down a 3-2 win. The 30-year-old Estevez now has wins in his last two appearances -- his ERA is down to 1.88 with a 1.33 WHIP and 53:22 K:BB across 43 innings this season while going a perfect 23-for-23 in save chances. The Angels have already brought Reynaldo Lopez in to help bolster their bullpen, and other additions are likely, though Estevez should maintain a firm grasp on the ninth-inning job.

Akin (back) reported to the Orioles' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Monday to begin a rehab assignment.

Akin has been on the IL since June 30 due to lower-back discomfort but has now advanced to the final stage of his rehab program. He'll likely make an appearance in the FCL on Monday before advancing to a higher-level affiliate later in the week. Once the Orioles deem Akin ready to return from the IL, he'll presumably be ticketed for a lower-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Garcia's $6 million option for 2024 vested Sunday during his relief appearance in Toronto's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Angels, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Though Garcia took his fourth loss of the season while allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit in the outing, he was at least able to earn himself a guaranteed contract for 2024 in the process. Per the terms of the two-year deal Garcia signed with Toronto in November 2021, Garcia triggered the $6 million option since the relief appearance was his 110th between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The 32-year-old right-hander will remain locked into a key late-inning role for the Blue Jays for the foreseeable future, though his path to picking up saves in the short-term became more challenging after Toronto acquired hard-throwing righty Jordan Hicks from St. Louis on Sunday to bolster the back end of the bullpen while All-Star closer Jordan Romano (back) is on the injured list.

Payamps (4-2) took the loss in Sunday's 8-6 loss against Atlanta. He allowed two runs on two hits while striking out two over an inning.

Payamps saw his 19-inning scoreless streak end on Matt Olson's two-run homer in the eighth inning Sunday, tagging the right-hander with his second loss of the year. Payamps had pitched to a pristine 0.58 WHIP during his 18-game streak, striking out 22 in that span. He still sports an impressive 2.01 ERA with a 0.89 WHIP and 57:8 K:BB across 49.1 innings this season while serving as Milwaukee's primary set-up option ahead of Devin Williams.

Yates (5-0) picked up the win Sunday over the Brewers, striking out one in a perfect inning of relief.

The right-hander has become the top vulture on MLB's top team, collecting four of his five wins since the beginning of June -- a stretch in which he's posted a 3.48 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28:7 K:BB through 20.2 innings. Yates should retain a high-leverage role over the final months for Atlanta, even if the front office brings in more bullpen reinforcements at the trade deadline.

Atlanta reinstated Minter (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Minter will assume the 26-man active roster spot of right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after making a spot start in Sunday's win over the Brewers. The southpaw had been on the shelf since the All-Star break due to shoulder inflammation but received the green light to rejoin Atlanta after tossing a pair of scoreless innings over his two rehab appearances with Gwinnett. He should settle back in as one of the top setup men for closer Raisel Iglesias.

Anderson will likely be optioned back to the minors when the Rangers' trade acquisitions arrive for Tuesday's homestand opener against the White Sox, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Anderson was called up to the majors Sunday after the Rangers placed starter Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) on the injured list. Once Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton arrive, Anderson could be headed back to Triple-A Round Rock.

Littell (1-2) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on eight hits over five innings against the Astros. He struck out four.

Though Sunday's game was expected to be a bullpen day for the Rays, Littell managed to last five innings and was stretched out to 82 pitches after having thrown fewer than three innings in all but one of his appearances this season. Despite allowing eight hits, Littell held the Astros scoreless heading into the fifth, where he allowed back-to-back singles and a double during a two-run inning. Considering the Rays are battling a multitude of injuries in their starting rotation, they may continue to stretch Littell out if he proves to be a reliable innings eater.