MLB Player News

Chapman (Achilles) was cleared to resume playing catch Tuesday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

The activity marks the first notable step forward in the recovery process for Chapman since he was placed on the 15-day injured list a week ago due to left Achilles tendinitis. The Yankees have yet to announce a timeline for Chapman's return, but based on his limited activity to date, he seems unlikely to be activated when first eligible June 7.

Strahm was cleared to rejoin the Red Sox on Tuesday, but he wasn't activated from the COVID-19-related injured list prior to the team's series opener with the Reds, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

Strahm was placed on the COVID-19 IL on Monday, but his presence in the clubhouse a day later suggests he was deactivated as a precaution and never actually contracted the virus. The 30-year-old lefty has handled a more important role out of the bullpen than expected this season, so the Red Sox are unlikely to delay activating him by more than another day or two if there aren't any concerns about his health.

Machado was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Machado appeared in each of the Nationals' last two games, allowing a combined five runs in 2.1 innings of work to raise his ERA to 5.40 on the year. He may continue to earn opportunities throughout the season but is unlikely to find himself in anything other than a low-leverage role.

Voth was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Voth has fallen out of favor after struggling to a 10.13 ERA in 18.2 innings of relief this season. His 3.30 ERA in 43.2 innings back in 2019 continues to fade further into the rearview mirror, leaving him as a 29-year-old with a career 5.70 ERA, a combination which may make it tough for him to generate much interest on waivers.

Alcala (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Fort Myers on Tuesday.

Alcala has been on the injured list since April 12 with right elbow inflammation, so he'll likely require at least a handful of appearances in the minors before the Twins are comfortable activating him. The 26-year-old reliever is first eligible to return from the 60-day IL on June 10, according to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com.

The Rangers transferred Leclerc's (elbow) rehab assignment Tuesday from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock.

Leclerc will shift his rehab to the highest level of the minors after he struck out three and gave up one run on four hits and no walks over 2.1 innings between his two relief appearances at Frisco. If he acquits himself well this week in any appearances he makes at Round Rock, Leclerc could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list when first eligible next Monday.

Perez was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Perez owns a 3.27 ERA in a small sample of 11 major-league relief innings, though his 8:9 K:BB paints a very different picture of his performance. He's recorded a 2.51 ERA in 14.1 innings of relief for Rochester this season, a number he's paired with a far better 21:4 K:BB.

Smeltzer (2-0) picked up the win in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Tigers, allowing two runs on six hits over 6.2 innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The soft-tossing southpaw got staked to a 6-0 lead before Detroit finally got a run across against him in the fourth inning, as Smeltzer cruised to his second straight quality start. He'll take a 1.50 ERA and 12:4 K:BB through 24 innings into his next outing as he tries to secure a permanent spot in the Twins' rotation.

Weems' contract was selected by the Nationals on Tuesday.

Weems has thrown 19.2 career major-league innings and has struggled to a 6.86 ERA while walking 14.8 percent of opposing batters. He's been much better in 24 frames for Triple-A Rochester this season, posting a 3.38 ERA while striking out 32 batters and walking just five.

The Tigers reinstated Vest (illness) from the COVID-19-related injured list in advance of the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Twins, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch said earlier in the day that Vest wouldn't be activated from the IL until Wednesday, but the Tigers opted to expedite the right-hander's return so the team could have a fresh arm in the bullpen for the final game of the twin bill. Drew Carlton, who tossed three innings of long relief in the Tigers' 8-2 loss in Game 1, was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to clear a spot for Vest. The 26-year-old made a 10-pitch relief appearance in a rehab game with Toledo on Monday, so the Tigers would likely prefer to stay away from Vest on Tuesday, if possible.