MLB Player News

Moore (oblique) will throw a bullpen Wednesday before a simulated game over the weekend, and he could return to the major-league roster early next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com

Moore has been on the shelf since the end of May with a Grade 2 oblique strain. It appears the southpaw has a chance to return to the Los Angeles relief staff without a rehab stint, but that likely will be determined by how the simulated action over the weekend goes. One way or another, Moore should be pitching in the late innings for the Angels by the end of June.

Joyce (elbow) said Tuesday that he's no longer experiencing numbness and tingling in his fingers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Joyce landed on the injured list earlier this month with a diagnosis of right ulnar neuritis. There is no timeline for his return to the Angels or when he might pick up a baseball again, but the hard-throwing 22-year-old seems to be responding well to a period of rest and treatment.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is beginning a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Rodriguez had allowed nine runs -- eight earned -- through four major-league innings on the year prior to hitting the injured list June 1 with left shoulder inflammation. He'll probably need to log a strings of successful outings on the farm before the Red Sox consider activating him.

The White Sox reinstated Lambert (ankle) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

The 28-year-old righty made four rehab appearances with Triple-A Charlotte, surrendering five earned runs across 3.1 innings while striking out three and walking four. Lambert holds a 5.91 ERA and 1.73 WHIP through 21.1 frames this season, and he will replace Garrett Crochet (shoulder) in the bullpen after Crochet landed on the injured list Tuesday.

The White Sox placed Crochet on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left shoulder inflammation.

This marks the second IL stint of the season for Crochet, who previously missed the first month and a half of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He will now be shelved again until the beginning of July while Jimmy Lambert (ankle) returns from the injured list to replace Crochet in the bullpen.

The Twins selected Ortega's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday.

Ortega earned the promotion after posting a 2.42 ERA and 28:7 K:BB over 22.1 innings with St. Paul. He'll provide the Twins' bullpen with a fresh arm.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics on Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Smith has put up a 6.75 ERA over nine relief appearances with Oakland this season. His vacated bullpen spot will be taken by Yacksel Rios.

Gillaspie was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Gillaspie is taking Spenser Watkins' spot in the Orioles' bullpen. The 26-year-old holds a 6.75 ERA over nine relief appearances with the big club this season.

Otto (lat) struck out three over three scoreless innings in his second rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Round Rock. He allowed one hit and no walks in the 44-pitch outing.

The 27-year-old has been on the shelf since late in spring training due to the right lat strain, but he's looked strong in both of his first two rehab outings with Round Rock. He's covered three innings in both appearances, striking out seven batters in total while having yet to issue a walk. The Rangers don't have a spot available for Otto in the big-league rotation at the moment, so once his 30-day rehab window elapses, the right-hander could get optioned to Round Rock upon being activated from the 60-day injured list.

Murphy was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Murphy served as the 27th man during Sunday's doubleheader versus the Yankees but is now headed back to the minors. The left-hander has spun six scoreless frames with eight strikeouts in the majors this season, so he has surely earned another opportunity at some point down the line.