MLB Player News

Loaisiga (elbow) started a throwing program earlier this week, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Loaisiga is just doing light games of catch for now, but it's an encouraging step forward following several weeks of rest and rehab. He has been out since early April due to an elbow injury that eventually required arthroscopic surgery in early May. The 28-year-old right-hander could be an option for the Yankees again in the second half.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Hamilton (groin) will throw at Double-A Somerset on Tuesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Hamilton tossed a live bullpen session at Somerset on Thursday and his next outing there might come in an actual game -- the start of a minor-league rehab assignment. The 28-year-old reliever has been on the shelf since mid-May due to a right groin strain.

Oakland placed Lovelady on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left elbow strain.

Lovelady suffered the injury while making a relief appearance Thursday against the Rays, and the Athletics have yet to project a recovery timeline. Chad Smith will join the A's bullpen in a corresponding move.

Smith was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Smith will return to the big leagues after being sent down in late April, as Richard Lovelady (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday in a corresponding move. Smith has produced a 6.30 ERA and 1.60 WHIP with six strikeouts over 10 innings in eight appearances for Oakland this season.

Cimber was reinstated from the paternity list Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Cimber will rejoin the team after he missed three days while with his expanding family. Right-hander Thomas Hatch was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Hatch was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Hatch has tossed 3.2 scoreless innings with an 8:3 K:BB this season during his brief time in the majors, but he's being jettisoned back to the minors nonetheless. Adam Cimber is back from paternity leave to take his roster spot.

Vest will serve as the Tigers' opener Friday against the Twins, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Vest took his first opener turn of the year last Sunday against the Diamondbacks and worked a scoreless first frame. He'll look to repeat that Friday versus Minnesota, with Tyler Alexander likely slated for bulk relief.

Soriano earned a hold against the Rangers on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Soriano got the call in the eighth frame in a close contest, emphasizing how quickly he's ascended the bullpen pecking order. Part of that rise is due to injuries to Ben Joyce (elbow) and Matt Moore (oblique), but Soriano has certainly earned his manager's trust as well. The rookie right-hander has yet to surrender a run in six big-league appearances, yielding just one hit and posting a 10:2 K:BB over seven innings. He's picked up five holds in those six outings, so he's worth a look in fantasy leagues that count that category, especially while Moore and Joyce remain out.

Estevez allowed one run on three walks without recording an out Thursday against Texas.

Estevez got the call in the ninth inning with the Angels up by three runs, but he could barely get the ball over the plate, tossing just eight of 20 pitches for strikes. The right-hander worked the count full against each of the three batters he faced and ended up walking them all before getting the hook, but Jacob Webb managed to contain the damage and notch the save. Estevez has been exceptional this season with a 1.80 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 39:16 K:BB and 18 saves in 18 chances, so Thursday's meltdown isn't likely to impact his job security.

The Astros optioned Gage to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

He was called up Sunday to take the place of Ryne Stanek as he went on the bereavement list. Gage made two appearances during his brief stint, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking one. His solid, if brief, MLB track record isn't consistent with his performance in the minors this season (6.59 ERA, 2.05 WHIP), but Gage still figures to be on the short list of potential bullpen reinforcements for Houston later this season.