MLB Player News

Gage was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Gage had given up just one run over his last five appearances (5.1 innings), but he'll head to the minors to make room for Anthony Banda, who was recently acquired in a trade with the Pirates.

Howard will be called up from Triple-A Round Rock to start Tuesday's game against the Orioles, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Howard hasn't appeared in a big-league game since late April, but he'll get another shot at the top level after posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB in 17.0 innings over his last three starts with Triple-A Round Rock. He'll be joining the rotation as a replacement for Taylor Hearn, who was sent to Round Rock last week.

Kimbrel said Monday that his back is sore after being struck by a line drive the day before, but he "thinks he will just need a day or two before he's ready to go again," Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kimbrel could be unavailable for a game or two, but it does not appear he is facing any sort of extended absence. A couple pitchers could garner consideration if the Dodgers find themselves needing a closer before Kimbrel is ready to return.

Jansen (chest) expects to be activated from the injured list July 12, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Jansen is not eligible to come off the injured list until the 12th day of July, but he is planning to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen the first day he is able to. According to the report, Jansen "has been doing full workouts," which is certainly encouraging given that he is dealing with an irregular heartbeat.

Lawrence was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Lawrence spent the last three weeks in the minors, but the Rockies are giving him another shot to show what he can do at the top level. Expect him to work in middle relief with the big club.

Pilkington will start the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Tigers, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Pilkington was sent to Triple-A Columbus after his last start, but he will rejoin the big club Monday and make his seventh start for the Guardians this season. He faced Detroit on May 26 and allowed three earned runs and 11 runners to reach base before exiting the game after 3.1 innings.

Soto worked around two walks to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Working with a 4-1 lead, Soto made things interesting by allowing the tying run to come to the plate. However, the lefty induced an Owen Miller groundout to end the game. Soto has been mostly effective this year with 16 saves in 18 opportunities to go along with a 2.48 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 30 strikeouts across 29 innings. The Tigers will likely get some calls on their top reliever leading up to the trade deadline.

Hill (1-0) allowed a run on two hits across six innings to earn the win in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the Guardians. He walked one and struck out three.

Making his MLB debut, Hill was sharp, with a Josh Naylor solo home run accounting for the only damage. Detroit manager A.J. Hinch previously said that Hill would make three turns through the rotation leading up to the All-Star break. The next opportunity for the 26-year-old is slated for Saturday against the White Sox. If Hill continues to impress before the break, he could stick in the rotation heading into the second half of the season, especially if the Tigers move veteran starter Michael Pineda before the trade deadline.

Megill (shoulder) was activated from the injured list Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Megill landed on the injured list in June, but he is ready to return after making a rehab appearance Saturday. He will work out of the Twins' bullpen and could be asked to cover more than an inning from time to time.

Loaisiga (shoulder) threw 21 pitches in a live bullpen session in Tampa on Saturday, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reports.

Saturday's session was Loaisiga's first time throwing to live hitters since he went on the IL on May 25. The right-hander is expected to throw another live BP on Tuesday. He could toss another session after that, but it's also possible that he will subsequently begin a minor-league rehab assignment that would likely see him get into multiple games before returning to the Yankees.