MLB Player News

Cousins (illness) was activated off the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday.

Cousins tested positive for the virus at the end of July, but his battle with the illness evidently wasn't a particularly long one. The Brewers will be quite happy to see him back in the bullpen, as he's had a dominant start to his big-league career, striking out 20 batters in 14.1 scoreless innings of work while allowing just four hits and five walks.

Brasier (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Brasier's scheduled relief appearance will mark his first of any kind in affiliated ball this season, as he suffered a calf injury late in spring training that kept him on the shelf for the first two months of the campaign. The 33-year-old initially appeared to be trending toward a mid-June return to the Boston bullpen, only to sustain a concussion when he took a line drive to the head in a simulated game. He's since cleared MLB's concussion protocol, but Brasier will likely require several tune-up outings in the minors before Boston activates him from the 60-day injured list.

Minter was recalled by Atlanta on Tuesday.

Minter cruised to a 0.83 ERA last season but recorded a 4.86 ERA in 33.1 innings this year before being sent down in mid-July. He's clearly too good for the Triple-A level, however, as he didn't allow a single hit in 7.1 scoreless innings of work before earning his trip back to the big leagues. He should fill a mid-leverage role for now. Shane Greene was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Cousins could be reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list as early as Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Cousins landed on the COVID-19 IL at the end of July after he tested positive for the virus, but he's now cleared re-entry testing. While the righty won't return for Monday's series opener against the Cubs, he has a strong chance to rejoin the bullpen ahead of Tuesday's contest.

Hudson (COVID-19 protocols) threw live batting practice Monday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Hudson threw a light bullpen session Saturday, and he took another step in his recovery by facing hitters Monday. The right-hander has been on the COVID-19 injured list since July 29 but is close to returning to game action. Hudson was traded from the Nationals to the Padres ahead of the trade deadline and will have a prominent role in the bullpen once he makes his team debut.

Alcala was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with right biceps tendinitis, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old allowed a solo homer and a walk while recording two strikeouts in one inning Sunday against the Astros, and he apparently suffered the injury during the contest. Alcala is without a timeline for his return and will be eligible to be reinstated Aug. 19.

Nelson was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Nelson was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday following a one-day stint on the major-league roster, but he'll return to the Yankees' bullpen as part of a move after Gleyber Torres (thumb) landed on the 10-day injured list Monday. The right-hander has posted a 9.45 ERA and 2.17 WHIP in 13.1 innings across 10 appearances (two starts) in 2021.

Ponce de Leon (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Ponce de Leon made four appearances during his rehab assignment and allowed three runs on five hits and five walks while striking out seven in 7.2 innings. The right-hander will attempt to improve upon his 7.03 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 24.1 innings across 17 appearances (two starts) with the major-league club to begin the season.

Canterino (elbow) struck out two over two perfect innings Sunday in a rehab start at Low-A Fort Myers.

Canterino has been sidelined at High-A Cedar Rapids since late May with a right elbow strain, but he looks on track to return from the 7-day injured list in short order. The Twins may want to have Canterino get in one more tune-up outing at Low-A before slotting him back into the Cedar Rapids rotation.

Reyes (5-5) took the loss Sunday against the Royals, allowing an unearned run on two hits while recording two strikeouts over one inning.

Charged with preserving a 5-5 tie upon entering in the ninth, Reyes ultimately faltered despite not allowing anything more impactful than a single. The right-hander's cause wasn't helped by a throwing error on the part of Paul Goldschmidt, either, and the outing ultimately resulted in Reyes' third straight losing decision. Despite the hiccup, the 26-year-old has proven reliable more often than not while converting an outstanding 25 of 26 save chances.