MLB Player News

Rodriguez (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Rodriguez displayed increased velocity during a minor-league rehab appearance Monday and will now return to the major-league bullpen after he missed nearly a month with right shoulder irritation. The right-hander made eight relief appearances prior to the absence and posted a 2.30 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 15.2 innings. Catcher Anthony Bemboom was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

Graveman (COVID-19 protocols) is out of quarantine and has rejoined the team in Seattle, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Graveman hasn't pitched since May 16 while on the COVID-19 injured list, so he'll need to build his workload back up before he returns to major-league action. The righty could require simulated games or a rehab assignment before he's cleared to rejoin the Mariners' bullpen, but he appears to be trending in the right direction.

Bolanos was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Bolanos served as the 27th man during a doubleheader in mid-May, but he failed to make an appearance in the twin bill. He'll now return to the major-league club after he posted a 3.31 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 16.1 innings during four starts with Triple-A Omaha this year. The right-hander will likely serve as a low-leverage reliever but could be available as a spot starter if needed.

Fleming will start Friday's game in Texas, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He worked behind an opener en route to the win in his last appearance, and he has secured the win in four of his last five appearances, although he only started one of those five games. Fleming has pitched exceptionally well this season (2.98 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) and the Rangers are a pretty nice matchup on paper, but he is slightly less likely to qualify for the win working as a true starter.

Kay (finger) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday and optioned to Triple-A.

He was already at Triple-A Buffalo on a rehab assignment and will stick around in the Bisons' rotation for the time being. The Jays will undoubtedly need rotation reinforcements at some point soon, but Kay's 6.62 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in the majors this season may lead to him getting passed over for the next opportunity if Toronto has any better options.

Lowther was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

This latest stint in the majors lasted just one game, in which he didn't pitch. Lowther has been working as a starter at Triple-A and as a swingman in the majors. He has a 3.22 FIP at Triple-A and a 6.43 FIP in the big leagues.

King will start Friday's game against the Red Sox, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

He has a 2.86 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 22 innings this season. King logged 2.1 innings in his most recent outing May 30 in Detroit and hasn't pitched more than three innings in a game since he logged six innings April 4.

Staumont (knee) threw live batting practice Thursday and has been tracking well since landing on the shelf, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Manager Mike Matheny said this throwing session will provide a good indication of where Staumont is in his recovery. He was sidelined in late May by a knee sprain and is eligible to return Sunday at the earliest.

The Twins will place Thielbar (groin) on the 10-day injured list prior to Thursday's game against the Royals, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Minnesota will call up Shaun Anderson to fill the opening on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen after Thielbar suffered a strained left groin during his relief appearance Wednesday in Baltimore. Thielbar has been a key part of the bridge to closers Hansel Robles and Taylor Rogers this season, accruing a 4.29 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 31 strikeouts and five holds over 20 appearances.

Ward underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Ward is one of the Red Sox's more interesting prospects, as he cruised to a 2.14 ERA and a 29.9 percent strikeout rate in 25 starts at the Low-A and High-A levels in 2019 before losing all of last season due to the canceled minor-league schedule. He made just two starts this year before being shut down with what was originally called a forearm strain. A typical recovery timeline would sideline him until late in the 2022 campaign at the earliest, and there's a chance he doesn't throw his next competitive pitch until 2023.