MLB Player News

Taylor (back) is scheduled to throw an inning with Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of Mass Live reports.

Taylor is set for yet another appearance in the minors while rehabbing from a strained lower back. The Red Sox have not yet announced whether this will be his final rehab outing before being activated from the 60-day IL.

Chapman (0-3) took the loss against Boston on Sunday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out two over one inning.

Chapman came on in the sixth inning with the game tied 6-6, and he allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base on a single and two walks. The veteran reliever bounced back to retire the next three hitters -- including two by strikeout -- but a Jeter Downs sacrifice fly allowed the go-ahead run to cross the plate, and New York was unable to score again in the contest. Chapman has allowed three runs and has walked five batters over three innings since returning from the IL on July 1. It seems unlikely that he'll regain the closer role until he gets back on track.

Anderson (elbow) is on track to throw in a Florida Complex League game later this month, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It has taken awhile for Anderson to recover from the elbow procedure he underwent last October, but he has seemingly made good progress of late. He's scheduled to face live hitters Tuesday, and if all goes well in the next two weeks, the Rays are hoping he will pitch in a FCL game July 26.

Fleming is expected to work as the Rays' primary pitcher out of the bullpen behind opener Matt Wisler in Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Though he won't be awarded the starting nod, Fleming will essentially be taking Jeffrey Springs' spot in the rotation after Springs was moved to the 15-day injured list Sunday with lower right leg tightness. Over 23.1 innings with the big club this season, Fleming has posted a 6.17 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB.

Swanson (personal) was reinstated from the paternity list Monday.

Swanson was away from the team for a few days following the birth of his daughter, but he'll rejoin the Mariners after spending just two days on the paternity list. Jacob Barnes was designated for assignment by Seattle to make room on the active roster.

Graveman (3-1) struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win Sunday against the Tigers.

Graveman entered in the eighth inning of a tied game and set down the Tigers lineup in order. He served as the team's primary closer with Liam Hendriks sidelined but has since returned to a setup role. Graveman has allowed an earned run in two of his last four appearances, yet still owns a 2.39 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB across 37.2 innings.

Zerpa was called up from Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Monday.

Zerpa will serve as the Royals' 27th man for Monday's doubleheader against the Tigers. He's yet to pitch in the big leagues this season, but he's compiled a 4.36 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 69 punchouts over 64 innings in 13 starts in Double-A this year. Zerpa will likely be returned to the minor leagues following Monday's contests.

Pivetta didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 11-6 win over the Yankees, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

Pivetta struggled early -- surrendering two runs in each of the first three innings -- and departed after putting two runners on in the fourth. Boston rallied to score the game's final nine runs and erase the 29-year-old from the ledger; however, Pivetta's now permitted 13 runs combined in his last two starts across nine innings, causing his ERA to inflate nearly a full run from 3.23 to 4.08. He's slated for a rematch against New York next weekend.

Howard is scheduled to start Monday's home game against the Athletics, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Texas previously listed Howard as its starter for Tuesday, but rather than being moved back a day in the pitching schedule, he'll take the hill on five days' rest for the Rangers' first game of the week. He earned his second turn through the rotation after he covered four frames while allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks in an extra-inning loss to the Orioles on July 5. He likely won't have a long leash for a starting role, however, so Howard may need to turn in a pair of decent showings during the upcoming week to ensure he sticks in the rotation after the All-Star break. Following Monday's outing, Howard lines up to start the Rangers' penultimate game of the first half Saturday versus the Mariners.

Voth (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six in five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.

Voth made his fifth start of the season Sunday and was rewarded with his first win as the Orioles put up eight runs between the fourth and fifth innings. Since joining the rotation, he's posted a 3.50 ERA in 18 innings, and his workload has increased over his last five outings. Baltimore has two days off next week, so Voth doesn't project to make another start until after the All-Star break.