MLB Player News

Ridings (shoulder) still isn't throwing, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently indicated that he expects it to "be a while" before the reliever returns to action, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Ridings was placed on the 60-day IL with a right shoulder impingement in early April. He began throwing from flat ground in mid-May but was shut down a few weeks later, and he has yet to resume a throwing program. Ridings isn't expected to need surgery, but his return timeline is hazy.

Chapman (Achilles) threw fastballs and sliders off the Yankee Stadium mound Tuesday and will next face live hitters, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Chapman hasn't pitched in a game for the Yankees in over three weeks, but he appears to be nearing a return. The veteran closer has said that he hopes to avoid a minor-league rehab assignment, though it's unclear if the organization has the same stance. Hoch reported Wednesday that manager Aaron Boone plans to use fill-in closer Clay Holmes in high-leverage situations -- not necessarily in the ninth inning -- upon Chapman's return, implying that the latter will still have the opportunity to save games upon his activation.

Criswell (shoulder) is expected to begin throwing simulated games next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Criswell hasn't pitched at all this season after being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation in late March. He recently faced live hitters for the first time and is now expected to progress to tossing simulated games. Criswell doesn't necessarily have a major-league roster spot waiting for him, but he could feasibly begin pitching in minor-league contests by the end of June.

Iglesias struck out three in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Mariners.

Iglesias threw 11 of 13 pitches for strikes to easily protect a three-run lead. It's been a bit of a rough June for the Angels' closer, who has allowed four runs and six hits with seven strikeouts through 5.1 innings in five appearances this month. He's converted 13 of 15 save chances this year while posting a 4.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 32:4 K:BB across 22.1 innings, and he's added two blown saves and a 1-4 record.

Weber was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Thursday.

The right-hander's contract was selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday after Luis Severino (illness) was scratched from his scheduled start. Weber was relatively effective as a bulk reliever during Thursday's game against the Rays, as he allowed a run on two hits and no walks while striking out one in 3.2 innings. However, he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster after Severino was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list following Thursday's matchup.

Soto (2-4) took the loss and a blown save Thursday versus the Rangers. He allowed three runs on a hit, two walks and a hit batter while striking out two in one inning.

Soto loaded the bases and then saw them cleared when Ezequiel Duran hit a three-run triple to put the Rangers ahead. Prior to Thursday, Soto had converted his last nine save chances. This was only the third time all year he's allowed multiple runs, and he still has a solid 3.00 ERA to go along with a 1.29 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB across 24 innings. The southpaw is 13-for-15 in save chances, so his role as closer should be fairly stable unless he endures an extended slump.

Brieske allowed three runs and two walks with six strikeouts across seven shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Thursday.

Brieske pitched his third quality start in 10 games this year, and it was his most dominant performance yet. He's now gone 12.2 innings in his last two starts without allowing a run, though Gregory Soto's blown save Thursday denied Brieske a second straight win. In 54.2 innings overall, the rookie has a 3.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 37:17 K:BB. He's lined up for a road start in Boston next week.

Barlow walked one and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Tigers.

Barlow has had a messy June, allowing seven runs (five earned) in six innings while converting just three of five save chances. This was one of his less dramatic efforts lately, but he's kept runners off base in only one of his last six outings. The right-hander is 12-for-14 in save conversions overall while adding a 3.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Lawrence is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Lawrence was slated to start for the Triple-A club Friday, but he'll instead provide length out of the Blue Jays' bullpen since the team used several relievers during Thursday's blowout loss to the Orioles. The 34-year-old made two relief appearances for Toronto in early May and allowed just one run in 3.1 innings.

Jimenez allowed a hit and no walks while failing to strike out a batter in 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

Jimenez blew a save Friday and pitched in a non-save situation Saturday, though he was called upon to preserve Oakland's one-run lead during Thursday's matchup. The right-hander has posted a 16.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP in six innings over his last seven outings, but he converted his first save since May 25 during versus Boston. In spite of his recent struggles, Jimenez still appears to be the favorite for closing duties in the Athletics' bullpen.