MLB Player News

The Cubs reinstated Steele from the paternity list Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. The left-hander said he'll start Wednesday's series finale with the Orioles at Wrigley Field, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago.

Reliever Anderson Espinoza was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Steele, who was away from the Cubs for the maximum three days to observe the birth of his child. The timing of his paternity leave caused him to miss out on a two-start week, but he'll get one more outing under his belt before the All-Star break.

The Red Sox optioned Bello to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Bello made two starts during his first big-league stint and allowed nine runs in eight innings while striking out seven and walking six. The prospect could probably use more seasoning after he filled in for Boston's injury-riddled rotation.

The Red Sox activated Sale (ribs) from the 60-day injured list prior to his scheduled start Tuesday against the Rays, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Sale will make season debut versus a depleted Rays lineup. The lefty displayed good stuff and velocity during his minor-league rehab starts but struggled with command at times, so he may not find immediate success in his first big-league start since October. He's expected to be capped at around 85 pitches Tuesday.

Feltner (back) was activated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Feltner will return to Triple-A after being placed on the IL with a back issue. He was originally expected to start for the Rockies earlier this month, but he'll have to wait for another chance to return to the majors. Feltner owns a 6.15 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 33 punchouts over 33.2 innings in seven starts in the big leagues this year.

Crawford is scheduled to either start or serve as a bulk reliever in Thursday's series finale with the Rays in Tampa Bay, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox intend to wait until Friday's series opener with the Yankees to bring Nathan Eovaldi (back/hip) back from the 15-day injured list, so Crawford will receive one more turn through the rotation as a temporary fifth starter. Crawford impressed in his start last weekend against the Yankees, covering five innings and striking out six while allowing one earned run on four hits and two walks in a no-decision.

Manager Alex Cora said the Red Sox will likely activate Whitlock (hip) from the 15-day injured list prior to Friday's series opener with the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Whitlock will be making his return to the Red Sox as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen, even though he enjoyed a good deal of success in his nine starts for Boston prior to landing on the IL on June 10 with right hip inflammation. Though the Red Sox view Whitlock as a starter over the long haul, the organization is hopeful that the bullpen role will maximize the right-hander's effectiveness and preserve his overall health. Since he's not expected to regularly factor into the equation for saves with Tanner Houck and John Schreiber having seemingly established themselves as the preferred options at the back end of the bullpen, Whitlock's fantasy value could take a big hit as he steps into a relief role, though he should still have some appeal as a ratio stabilizer. Whitlock is scheduled to make a two-inning rehab appearance Tuesday for Double-A Portland before the Red Sox formally activate him for the weekend series with the Yankees.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Eovaldi (back) is in line to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Yankees in New York, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Eovaldi's return for the series opener in New York will likely be contingent on him completing a between-starts bullpen session Tuesday without incident. The right-hander is coming off a three-inning rehab appearance at Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, with Eovaldi striking out four and allowing two earned runs on five hits and no walks in the 54-pitch outing. Since he was sidelined for more than a month with lower back and hip issues and didn't get fully stretched out during his rehab assignment, Eovaldi could be capped at somewhere between 70 and 90 pitches Friday.

Gausman (ankle) won't be available to start Tuesday's game against the Phillies, as the Blue Jays have announced Jose Berrios as their starter for the series opener, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

After Gausman completed a bullpen session Friday, he was viewed as an option to start Sunday's series finale in Seattle, but the Blue Jays determined he wasn't ready to go for that contest, with Max Castillo getting the starting nod in his stead. Even after a team off day Monday, Gausman apparently hasn't completely moved past the right ankle injury, so the Blue Jays will push back his return at least one more day. The Blue Jays still appear to be leaving the door open for Gausman to start Wednesday against the Phillies, but he'll miss out on a two-start week with Berrios taking the hill Tuesday.

Berrios will start Tuesday in the first contest of the Blue Jays' two-game series with the Phillies in Toronto, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Toronto held out hope that Kevin Gausman (ankle) would be ready to go for its first game of the week, but the right-hander apparently needs at least one more day to heal up from his injury. Due to an off day Monday, the Blue Jays will be able to turn to Berrios, who takes the hill on five days' rest. He'll tentatively line up for a two-start week, with his second turn set to come Sunday at home against the Royals in the Blue Jays' final game before the All-Star break.

Martin was called up from Triple-A Charlotte and is starting Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Martin will operate as the team's 27th man Tuesday, drawing his third major-league start this season. The 25-year-old has produced a 4.29 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 17 strikeouts over 21 innings across five appearances with the White Sox. Martin will likely be returned to Triple-A following Tuesday's contests.