MLB Player News

Imaging on Joyce's right shoulder came back negative Friday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Joyce was scratched from his scheduled rehab outing Monday after reporting renewed soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder. He isn't dealing with any structural damage, but the Angels are going to pump the brakes a bit on his rehab process, which will presumably extend his time on the injured list.

Helsley (elbow) played catch Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It marked the first time Helsley has played catch since he was placed on the injured list May 1. His elbow is progressing and feeling much better, according to Kubatko. Helsley will likely need a rehab assignment before rejoining Baltimore's bullpen, and it would appear he still has multiple boxes to check in his recovery before getting to that point.

Curvelo (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Curvelo has been sidelined since April 15 with a right shoulder impingement, but he appears to be nearing a return from the injured list. The right-hander pitched in four games out of the Texas bullpen prior to the injury, surrendering three runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts across five innings.

Vest (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Vest was placed on the 15-day injured list with forearm inflammation earlier this month and started throwing off a mound again earlier this week. Assuming everything goes well with his rehab assignment, Vest should rejoin the Detroit bullpen next week. He has a 6.17 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB across 11.2 innings this season.

The Tigers optioned Vanasco to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

With Connor Seabold (ankle) back from the injured list, Vanasco will head back to the minors. He pitched in four games out of the Detroit bullpen, logging an unsightly 14.54 ERA, 3.23 WHIP and 3:4 K:BB across 4.1 innings.

The Tigers activated Seaboard (ankle) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Seabold is returning from left ankle inflammation and has been sidelined since April 25. He pitched in two games on a rehab assignment and is ready to return to the Detroit bullpen. Seabold has produced a 4.09 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB across 11 innings this season.

The Orioles acquired Nunez from the Athletics in exchange for cash considerations Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Baltimore has optioned Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk. The 26-year-old was designated for assignment by the Athletics earlier this week and quickly finds work elsewhere after recording a 4.61 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 17:11 K:BB across 13.2 innings in the minors this season. Nunez was in the 95th percentile with his 98.1 mph fastball across 12.2 innings with the Padres and Athletics last regular season.

Erceg allowed one run on two hits and no walks with a strikeout over one inning in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the White Sox.

Erceg, who had not pitched over the previous five days, entered with the Royals trailing in the eighth inning and surrendered an RBI single to Derek Hill to widen the deficit. Thursday's outing snapped a streak of eight consecutive scoreless innings for Erceg, who had also recorded five saves during that stretch. The right-hander owns a 3.63 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 15:12 K:BB with 10 saves across 17.1 innings and figures to continue operating as Kansas City's closer with Carlos Estevez (foot/shoulder) not close to returning from the injured list.

Leiter threw a perfect inning while striking out two Thursday against the Cardinals.

Leiter was called upon to pitch the seventh inning and did so without issue, retiring the side in order. It marked the third consecutive scoreless outing for the right-hander, who has struggled mightily at times during his first season with the Athletics. Leiter has allowed multiple runs in four of his 20 appearances this year, contributing to a 7.64 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 17.2 innings.

Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The 27-year-old reliever has yielded just one run with a 4:1 K:BB over 8.1 frames for the Tigers this season, but that run came in Hanifee's last appearance Thursday, when he served up a solo shot to the Mets' Juan Soto. Ty Madden is expected to serve as the bulk reliever for Detroit on Friday.