MLB Player News

Merryweather (oblique) doesn't yet have a timetable to return to mound work, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Merryweather had a minor setback in his recovery in early July, but he's still been able to play catch recently. A better timetable for the right-hander's return could be revealed once he resumes mound work, but it appears as though he could be sidelined until at least mid-August.

Garza was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Garza served as a bulk reliever Wednesday and allowed a run on four hits and no walks while striking out one in 3.1 innings. He'll now return to the minors after first baseman Yu Chang was recalled in a corresponding move.

Loaisiga (illness) threw on flat ground Tuesday and will possibly be activated over the weekend, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

The right-hander was placed on the COVID-19 injured list July 10 and didn't clear health and safety protocols until Sunday. He's expected to throw a bullpen Wednesday and will need a second bullpen or live throwing session before potentially returning this weekend for the Yankees' series at Boston. Loaisiga has been one of the team's most valuable bullpen pieces this season, registering a 2.11 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 46:10 K:BB across 47 innings. He has picked up seven wins, 10 holds and two saves.

Moll has fired two scoreless innings over his first two appearances with the Athletics since being called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on July 3.

The 29-year-old has given up one hit and two walks over that span without recording any strikeouts, but Moll's second big-league stint has certainly started better than his initial one with Oakland back in 2017, when he pitched to a 10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP across 6.2 innings. Moll is likely to remain in low-leverage scenarios for the time being.

Payamps was traded from the Blue Jays to the Royals on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Payamps will land another spot on a 40-man roster after he was designated for assignment by Toronto on Friday. The right-hander has posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 30 innings across 22 relief appearances in the majors this year and could join the Royals' bullpen at some point during the second half of the season, but he'll head to Triple-A Omaha for now.

Chargois recorded his eighth hold in a win over the Rockies on Tuesday, giving up two hits over a scoreless sixth inning.

The right-hander now has five consecutive scoreless appearances, even as he's pitched to some contact by allowing four hits over that five-inning span. Chargois didn't fare well in either of his save chances earlier this season, but he has offered value with his eight holds, 2.30 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 27.1 innings.

Low-A Kannapolis reinstated Kelley (elbow) from its 7-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in the first half of a doubleheader versus Fayetteville.

Kelley, one of the White Sox's most highly touted pitching prospects, will make his return to Kannapolis after he was on the shelf for approximately two months with right elbow inflammation. He was cleared to rejoin the Kannapolis rotation after making a pair of rehab starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League over the past week and a half.

McCaughan's contract was selected by the Mariners on Wednesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

McCaughan made 10 starts at Triple-A Tacoma to begin the year, and he posted a 3.97 ERA and 46:13 K:BB in 59 innings during that time. The Mariners haven't yet announced what the right-hander's role in the majors will be, but he could be a candidate to join the rotation since several of the team's starters are dealing with injuries. Outfielder Dillon Thomas was sent down in a corresponding move.

Chapman recorded the save Tuesday against the Phillies after allowing one run on one hit while fanning three in one inning.

Chapman struck out the side and needed 15 pitches (12 strikes) to clinch his 17th save of the season, but it wasn't a clean inning since he also allowed a ninth-inning homer to Andrew McCutchen. As such, Chapman's three-game streak of scoreless outings came to an end. Lately, he's been far from the dominant, unhittable reliever he had been in past years, owning an inflated 9.00 ERA across five appearances (four innings) this month.

Patino will be called up from Triple-A Durham to start Thursday's game against Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino has been at Durham since July 2, but he'll join the Rays' taxi squad ahead of Wednesday's series finale versus the Orioles. He's posted a 4.87 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 20.1 innings across six appearances (four starts) with the major-league club this year, and manager Kevin Cash said that the right-hander will have the chance to remain in the rotation going forward, depending on how he fares Thursday.