MLB Player News

Pearson (groin) has begun to build back up after being diagnosed with a sports hernia but will do so as a reliever, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Pearson received plenty of hype heading into last season but has thus far failed to establish himself thanks to a long list of injuries. He appears to be finally turning a corner with his last issue, however, with the Blue Jays expressing relief that he wasn't diagnosed with anything worse. He's on track to throw live batting practice next week. Pearson won't have time to build up to a starter's workload by the end of the year, but he certainly has the stuff to help the team in a relief role. Of course, that'll limit his fantasy utility outside of leagues that count holds.

The Twins optioned Jax to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday.

Jax was called up from Triple-A to start the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the White Sox and acquitted himself well in the 3-2 victory. He didn't factor into the decision, but Jax limited the White Sox to one run on one hit and one walk while striking out six over four innings before departing when he developed a blister. The finger abrasion shouldn't cost him any time, but he won't stick around in Minnesota since the Twins won't need a sixth starter for the foreseeable future.

Lowther landed on the injured list at Triple-A Norfolk with a left shoulder strain Tuesday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Lowther owns a 10.80 ERA in 8.1 innings at the big-league level this season and a 6.93 mark over seven Triple-A starts. He hasn't done much to earn another major-league opportunity and will now be out of the picture for some time until his shoulder heals.

Topa (elbow) was transferred to Double-A Biloxi on Tuesday to continue his rehab assignment, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

A right elbow flexor strain has sidelined the 30-year-old since the end of spring training. Topa appeared in two games while rehabbing at the Arizona Complex League, striking out five and walking none in two scoreless frames. The righty will likely require at least a couple appearances at Double-A before progressing to Triple-A Nashville and ultimately rejoining the Brewers, suggesting an activation around the end of July or early August.

Williams (elbow) said Tuesday that he's hopeful his stay on the injured list will end after the minimum 10 days, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Williams played catch Tuesday for the first time since landing on the IL with right elbow discomfort last Friday. While nothing is set in stone, the right-hander appears to be on track for a short stay on the injured list, even if it ends up being slightly longer than the 10 days. If he is indeed ready to be activated when first eligible, the 26-year-old would return to the Brewers' bullpen Saturday against the White Sox.

Boxberger (shoulder) said following his Tuesday throwing session that he's confident he'll avoid a trip to the injured list, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Boxberger exited Saturday's game after experiencing stiffness in his throwing shoulder. The right-hander threw Tuesday for the first time since the issue arose, and it sounds like he's trending toward remaining on the active roster. The right-hander seems very unlikely to pitch in Tuesday's game against Kansas City, but assuming he does indeed avoid the IL, a Wednesday return to the mound could be in the realm of possibility.

Boxberger (shoulder) played catch Tuesday so the team could evaluate him, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Boxberger pitched in the first two games of the second half but left Saturday's contest with the shoulder issue. It's good news that he hasn't been shut down completely, but the Brewers won't know whether he needs a trip to the injured list until they see how his shoulder responds to the throwing session.

Gonzalez gave up three runs on four hits while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning against the Giants on Monday.

The southpaw made his first appearance in two weeks after being reinstated from the injured list earlier in the day. He appeared rusty in the brief outing, giving up a pair of singles and a pair of doubles sandwiched around a sacrifice fly. The subpar performance pushed Gonzalez's season ERA up to 3.45 -- it had been a much tidier 2.57 prior to Monday.

Williams (elbow) played catch Tuesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Williams hit the injured list Friday with right elbow discomfort. While it's never good to see a pitcher dealing with an elbow injury, the fact that he's throwing again just a few days later certainly seems to be a positive sign. However, the Brewers have yet to specify exactly when they expect him to return.

Saucedo allowed one run on two hits in two innings of relief during Monday's loss to the Red Sox. He struck out three.

The rookie southpaw got taken deep for the first time in the majors, serving up a solo shot to Enrique Hernandez in the sixth inning. Saucedo has been an effective member of the Jays' bullpen since his promotion in mid-June, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB through 10 innings, but his low-leverage role has resulted in zero wins, saves or holds through 11 appearances.