MLB Player News

Sims (back) has yet to resume a throwing program and won't return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible May 26, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Sims was placed on the injured list last week due to a bulging disc in his back and has remained shut down from throwing since landing on the shelf. The 28-year-old is now likely to be out until at least early June, and a specific return timeline is unlikely to come into focus until he's cleared to start a throwing program.

Leiter was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

Leiter spent a week with the major-league club but made just one relief appearance during his stint with the Cubs. He's posted a 6.57 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 12.1 innings over five appearances (three starts) in the big leagues this year but will return to Iowa after David Robertson (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list.

Robertson (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Robertson spent a week and a half on the COVID-19 IL, but he played catch Saturday and rejoined the Cubs ahead of Wednesday's series finale against the Pirates. He's converted all five of his save chances while posting a 1.50 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 12 innings over 11 appearances this year, and he should take over as the team's closer now that he's healthy.

Hader was unavailable during Wednesday's win over Atlanta while tending to a personal matter, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Hader has been one of the top relievers in baseball early in the season, converting all 14 of his save chances while tossing 13.1 scoreless innings. It's not yet clear whether he'll rejoin the Brewers in time for Friday's series opener against the Nationals.

Valdez was designated for assignment by the Angels on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Valdez's contract was selected by the Angels on Tuesday, and he allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks while failing to strike out a batter in a relief inning against the Rangers. He'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster after Jose Suarez was called up Wednesday.

King earned a hold against the Orioles on Tuesday, pitching three perfect innings during which he struck out six batters.

Starter Jameson Taillon was lifted after giving up a leadoff double in the sixth inning, and King promptly snuffed out the threat by striking out the next three batters. The righty reliever went two more frames, setting down the side in order in each and collecting three more punchouts. King has been a force as a full-time reliever this season, recording a 1.40 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 37:4 K:BB over 25.2 innings.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Romano (illness) is recovering from a gastrointestinal infection but isn't expected to require a stint on the 15-day injured list, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Romano hasn't appeared out of the bullpen since Saturday on account of the illness, which he's been treating with antibiotics. Though the Blue Jays are labeling Romano as day-to-day and believe he'll avoid the IL, the 28-year-old doesn't sound like he'll be available for Wednesday's series finale with the Mariners. Adam Cimber has secured saves on back-to-back days while Romano was on the mend, but the Blue Jays could go in a different direction if a save situation arises Wednesday.

The Padres optioned Kerr to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Kerr was sent packing to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Blake Snell (groin), who was activated from the 10-day injured list in advance of his scheduled start Wednesday in Philadelphia. During his week-and-a-half-long stay with the big club, Kerr made two appearances out of the bullpen and gave up two earned runs over 1.1 innings.

Webb was recalled by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Webb was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks in mid-April, and he made five relief appearances at Triple-A Reno. He posted a 12.46 ERA and 2.44 WHIP in 4.1 innings but will join the major-league club as bullpen depth after southpaw Kyle Nelson (undisclosed) was placed on the injured list Wednesday.

The Diamondbacks optioned Uceta to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Arizona opted to move Uceta to the minors since he was unlikely to be available for the next couple of days after tossing three innings and 47 pitches in a mop-up role during the Diamondbacks' 12-3 loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday in the second game of a doubleheader. Carlos Frias was summoned from Triple-A to fill Uceta's spot in the bullpen.