MLB Player News

Nardi (back) was cleared to play catch Monday, MLB.com reports.

Nardi has been slow to recover from low back inflammation, an injury that dates back to spring training and which has kept him on the shelf all season. Though the right-handed reliever won't need to be built up to pitch more than an inning or two, he's still likely weeks away from reaching a point in his throwing program where he's ready to head out on a rehab assignment. He appears to be tracking toward a return from the 60-day injured list at some point in July, though he may not be back until after the All-Star break.

Vest (finger) passed all tests and has been declared ready to pitch, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Vest was pulled from Sunday's appearance versus the Reds due to an injury to his right pinkie finger, but it appears he's already put the issue in the rearview mirror. The right-handed reliever leads the Tigers with 12 saves this season.

Weaver (hamstring) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

It's the first time Weaver has faced hitters since he landed on the 15-day injured list two weeks ago. The Yankees offered a 4-to-6 week timetable for Weaver when the IL move was made, but the reliever noted Tuesday that he hasn't felt anything in the hamstring since a day or two after he was hurt, so perhaps he can beat that timeline. The ultimate decision will be the club's.

The Blue Jays recalled Schultz from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

The right-hander was sent to Buffalo on June 8 but will rejoin Toronto on Tuesday with Bowden Francis (shoulder) headed to the injured list. Schultz has a 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 24:4 K:BB in 17.2 major-league innings across eight appearances (two starts) this year, and he could be a factor in the Blue Jays' rotation while Francis is out.

The Tigers optioned Owens to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

He's clearing out to make room on the roster for waiver acquisition Carlos Hernandez. Owens had just been recalled Sunday and did not make an appearance during his most recent stint with the big club.

Ellard (lat) was assigned to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

The left-hander has been sidelined by a lat strain since early May and was transferred to the 60-day IL in early June. Ellard will have a couple weeks to get up to speed in the minors since he won't be eligible to be reinstated until July 3.

Dreyer will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game versus the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Dreyer will draw his fourth opener assignment this season, after he previously allowed a total of four runs over 5.1 innings across his first three times opening a game. The southpaw hasn't been used out of the bullpen since last Wednesday and should be capable of giving the Dodgers anywhere between one and three innings before he exits the contest. Right-hander Matt Sauer is a good bet to serve as a bulk reliever for the Dodgers on Tuesday.

The Orioles recalled Wolfram from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Wolfram made two appearances for Baltimore back in April, allowing two runs over 1.1 innings. He will give the club a third lefty in the bullpen alongside Gregory Soto and Keegan Akin.

The Orioles optioned Selby to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Selby was up for one day and tossed two scoreless innings in Monday's loss to the Rays. Unfortunately for him, the appearance meant he would be unavailable for the next day or two, so the Orioles are replacing him with a fresh bullpen arm in Grant Wolfram, who was recalled from Triple-A.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday that he expects Vest (finger) to avoid a stint on the 15-day injured list, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Vest exited his appearance Sunday against the Reds after suffering an injury to his right pinkie finger. Hinch indicated that Vest still needs to be further evaluated, but initial tests on the reliever's injured digit didn't show anything overly worrisome. Vest leads the Tigers with 12 saves this season and has notched each of the team's last three saves. Consider him day-to-day for the time being. Tommy Kahnle would likely be next in line for saves if Vest is unavailable for a few days.