MLB Player News

The Cubs placed Thielbar on the paternity list Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Thielbar's wife gave birth Friday, and the left-handed reliever could miss the weekend series against the Mets. In a corresponding move, the Cubs recalled Tom Cosgrove from Triple-A Iowa.

The Angels transferred Joyce (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The Angels shut down Joyce's throwing program last week after he reported shoulder discomfort following a round of catch. Now on the 60-day IL, the right-hander won't be eligible for activation until June 10, and it's still unknown how far away he is from throwing again. Shaun Anderson was selected to the active roster from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday to take Joyce's place on the 40-man.

Hall (lat) will continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hall is progressing in his recovery from a left lat strain that he suffered in late February, which caused him to start the season on the 60-day injured list. He's pitched well in his two rehab outings in the Arizona Complex League, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out eight over five scoreless innings. Hall is aiming to throw 60-to-65 pitches Wednesday, and he'll need multiple rehab starts before being reinstated from the IL.

The Angels optioned Johnson to High-A Tri-City on Friday.

The decision to let Johnson pitch in the majors before playing in a minor-league game hasn't quite turned out the way the Angels had hoped, as the 22-year-old righty owns a miserable 7.36 ERA and 1.98 WHIP through 14.2 innings. He'll now look to hone his craft in the lower levels of the Angels' farm system and could potentially be stretched out as a starter. Shaun Anderson was selected from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill the void in Los Angeles' bullpen.

Murdock was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Friday, Jessica Kleinschmidt of Baseball America reports.

The 26-year-old right-hander has been blasted to the tune of a 13.24 ERA and 2.71 WHIP across 17 innings out of the bullpen. Murdock was Rule 5 draft pick during the offseason, so he'll be offered back to the Royals if he passes through waivers unclaimed. With him removed from the 40-man roster, the Athletics recalled Elvis Alvarado from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move.

The Angels selected Anderson's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Anderson will get his first look in the big leagues this season after turning in a 5.06 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 37.1 innings in the minors. With Ryan Johnson being sent down to High-A Tri-City to make room on the active roster, it's reasonable to believe Anderson will work out of the bullpen while with the Angels, despite working exclusively as a starter this year. Ben Joyce (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Athletics recalled Alvarado from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Jessica Kleinschmidt of Baseball America reports.

Alvarado appears set to make his MLB debut in the coming days. Alvarado has thrown 15.2 innings out of the bullpen for Las Vegas this season, registering 12.6 K/9 and a 3.45 ERA. He was claimed off waivers from the Pirates back in January.

Law (forearm) is slated to throw off a mound before the end of this week, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

It will be the first time he's thrown off the bump since he experienced a setback with his right forearm strain during spring training. Law will eventually require some rehab appearances, but it's unclear when he might be ready for those.

Ribalta (biceps) will throw a 20-to-25 pitch bullpen session Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The bullpen session -- which will feature all fastballs -- will be Ribalta's first since he landed on the 15-day injured list with a right biceps strain nearly a month ago. He will progress to facing hitters before eventually going out on a rehab assignment if all goes well.

The Tigers activated Brebbia (triceps) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Brebbia missed three weeks of action with a right triceps strain but is ready to go after making a couple rehab appearances. He permitted just one earned run through nine innings before getting hurt.