MLB Player News

Fleming (elbow) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend in the Florida Complex League, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He'll go around two innings the first time out and build up from there. On the shelf since early June due to a nagging left elbow issue, Fleming looks poised to return to a swingman role with the Rays before the end of July.

Kittredge (elbow) shifted his rehab assignment Tuesday to Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge is moving right along in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, having tallied six strikeouts -- with no walks -- over three scoreless innings in the Florida Complex League to begin his minor-league rehab stint. He's now just one step away from becoming a bullpen option for the first-place Rays, though the 33-year-old figures to spend at least a week making appearances at Triple-A.

Hendriks (elbow) will throw a simulated game Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After being cleared to throw June 27, Hendriks will advance to the next step in his recovery process Wednesday. Assuming all goes well during his sim game, the 34-year-old closer will presumably embark on a rehab assignment before returning to Chicago's bullpen. Hendriks has pitched just five innings this season, surrendering three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three batters.

Bradford (2-1) picked up the win in Sunday's 6-5 victory over the Guardians after covering three innings out of the bullpen and allowing two runs on three hits and no walks. He struck out four.

Bradford made a five-inning start during the Rangers' final series of the first half in Washington, but he looks like he'll work in relief for the foreseeable future after Texas opened its post-All-Star-break schedule with a five-man rotation. The rookie owns a respectable 4.55 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 29.2 innings in the majors this season and should be the Rangers' top option for a spot start should the team lose a rotation option at any point.

VerHagen (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

VerHagen landed on the injured list at the beginning of July with a right hip impingement after attempting to pitch through it for three weeks. It's unclear how long the Cardinals plan on keeping VerHagen in the minors, but it's likely he returns to the bullpen before the end of July.

Jacques will serve as Boston's opening pitcher for Tuesday's game in Oakland, Chris Henrique of the Boston Sports Journal reports.

The Red Sox shut out the Athletics in a bullpen game Monday and will go back to that well again Tuesday. Chris Murphy would seem to be the likeliest candidate to work in bulk relief behind Jacques, who hasn't recorded more than eight outs in any of his 33 appearances in the majors or minors this season.

Morris was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

He's the corresponding move for Logan Allen, Tuesday's starter in Pittsburgh. Morris has yielded four runs in four relief innings during his brief time in the big leagues this season.

Green (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Dunedin on Saturday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

It will be his first official game action since he underwent Tommy John surgery last June. Given the long layoff, Green would figure to need a good number of rehab appearances. That might all just depend on how he looks and feels, though, and if things go well he certainly could be a weapon for the Blue Jays' bullpen down the stretch.

Simpson (shoulder) began a rehab assignment July 9 at Single-A Jupiter and retired two hitters while allowing three earned runs on two hits and one walk. He struck out one batter.

Simpson was placed on Triple-A Jacksonville's 7-day injured list May 9 with a left shoulder impingement, but now that he's rehabbing in the lower levels in the minors, it likely won't be long before he's activated. In 11 innings with the Triple-A club this season, Simpson has posted a 6.55 ERA and 1.91 WHIP while striking out 16 hitters.

Romano (back) said he'll be available to pitch out of the Toronto bullpen Tuesday versus the Padres, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Romano hasn't made an appearance since he had to leave his All-Star Game outing with lower-back tightness. However, the closer is feeling much better after receiving treatment and is ready to be called upon, if needed.