MLB Player News

Schmidt was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Schmidt tossed two relief innings in Sunday's 11-1 loss to Cleveland and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out four. The appearance was the right-hander's first since he was recalled Friday, but he'll now head back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he has recorded a 3.00 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 15 innings across four appearances (three starts).

Angels manager Joe Maddon suggested Saturday that Detmers (illness) could be activated from the COVID-19 injured list at some point during next weekend's series with the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After completing a 40-pitch simulated game earlier this weekend, Detmers is expected to toss one more sim game in the next day or two before getting the green light to rejoin the Angels. On the shelf since Aug. 25 following his positive COVID-19 test, Detmers has taken longer than anticipated to build up upon completing his quarantine period, but given his workload in his most recent sim game, the Angels look to be preparing him for a starting role upon his return. In his first four big-league starts before being shut down, Detmers went 1-3 with a 7.11 ERA and 1.68 WHIP while striking out 17 over 19 frames.

Whitlock was removed from Sunday's game against the Orioles with right pectoral tightness, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock delivered a scoreless sixth inning and returned for the seventh, but he quickly exited with an athletic trainer due to the injury. Overall he was charged with an earned run on a hit and a walk with zero strikeouts. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but the 25-year-old will have Monday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery before potentially missing additional time.

German (shoulder) could rejoin the Yankees in the coming days, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

German made his second minor-league rehab appearance Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over two innings. His next outing is expected to be out of the Yankees bullpen, where he is likely to remain for the rest of the campaign. German has made 21 appearances for the big club this season, with 18 of those coming as a starter.

Taillon (ankle) could make a minor-league rehab start during the coming week, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Taillon tossed a bullpen session Saturday, and his next step is expected to be a short rehab start within the next several days. If that goes well, the right-hander could subsequently return to the Yankees rotation, per Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record. Taillon's last big-league appearance was Sept. 6 against Toronto, when he gave up three runs in seven innings and suffered the loss.

Junk will start Wednesday's game against the Astros, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 25-year-old gave up one earned run in 4.1 frames during his previous start last week, and it appeared he was set to lose his rotation spot with Alex Cobb back from the injured list. Junk will instead receive at least one more turn through the rotation. He's allowed two earned runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and one walk in eight innings across his first two big-league starts.

Boyd (elbow) is scheduled for a second visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache early next week, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Boyd recently had a visit with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, and he's now scheduled to check in with Dr. ElAttrache, both of which are known for their experience with Tommy John surgery. A decision has yet to be made on whether the left-hander will require the procedure, but it appears to be a possibility and leaves his availability for 2022 in question.

Ryan (wrist) will make his next start in Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Ryan was pushed back from starting Sunday while recovering from a bruised right wrist, but he'll rejoin the rotation Wednesday after receiving a couple extra days to recover. The 25-year-old has pitched well through his first three big-league starts with a 2.12 ERA, 0.53 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB in 17 innings.

The Yankees could activate Severino (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list as early as Monday, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Severino impressed during his most recent live batting practice session Friday, but it's unclear if that'll be enough for him to rejoin the big club, or if he'll need to complete another bullpen session or two prior to being reinstated. Regardless, Severino is slated to fill a relief role for the Yankees upon his return, and he may need to prove himself in lower-leverage scenarios before manager Aaron Boone trusts him in bigger spots. Severino's last big-league appearance came during the 2019 postseason, as he missed the entire 2020 season while requiring from Tommy John surgery last February. He's been sidelined throughout the 2021 campaign while continuing his recovery from surgery and having experienced groin- and shoulder-related setbacks during his rehab assignments this summer.

Valdez (finger) will start Monday's game against the Angels, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Valdez was considered questionable to start Monday while recovering from a cut on the index finger of his left hand, but he'll rejoin the rotation after being scratched from Thursday's scheduled start. The 27-year-old has a 3.26 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 109:50 K:BB across 116 innings this season.