MLB Player News

Graveman's neck issues stem from a benign bone tumor in the C6 section of his cervical spine, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Gravement expects to undergo surgery to correct the problem at some point, but given that the tumor is benign and that pitching doesn't make it worse, he intends to play through the discomfort it causes for now. He remains on the injured list for now but continues to throw, so it's certainly possible that he'll be back on a big-league mound before too long.

Norris will remain in the bullpen for the foreseeable future after the Tigers announced that pitching prospects Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize would be called up to make starts Tuesday and Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Norris started in his season debut Aug. 2 and worked as a primary pitcher behind Michael Fulmer on Aug. 10 before moving to the bullpen ahead of this past weekend's series with the Indians. Though Tyler Alexander had replaced him as the piggyback option behind Fulmer, Norris looked like he might be a candidate to re-enter the rotation after Ivan Nova (triceps) was moved to the injured list Saturday. However, with the Tigers sitting at 9-10 entering play Monday and still firmly in the mix for a spot in the expanded postseason, the team brass is evidently hoping the two young hurlers may aid a surprise playoff push. Norris should still be one of the next men up if a rotation spot opens at any point, but he may actually offer more fantasy value as a multi-inning weapon out of the bullpen.

Taylor was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Taylor has ramped up and is ready to go after missing all of camp due to coronavirus. He'll be a useful left-handed weapon in the pen for the Red Sox, as he posted a 3.04 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in his 47.1-inning debut last year.

Chapman (illness) was officially activated from the injured list as expected Monday.

Chapman is finally ready to go after spending the first few weeks ramping up after a positive COVID-19 test cost him most of summer camp. His return will push Zach Britton back into a setup role.

Green picked up the hold in Sunday's win over Boston, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings and allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two.

Green has been one of the better setup men in baseball thus far, tying for the league lead with five holds while allowing only one run and two hits in nine outings covering 12.2 frames. He has also registered an impressive 17:4 K:BB and picked up a pair of wins along the way. It remains to be seen how Green's usage will change with the return of Aroldis Chapman (COVID-19) and consequent move of Zack Britton to a setup role, but he should continue to be deployed in high-leverage situations given his early season success.

Graveman (neck) will throw 50 pitches in an intrasquad game Monday.

Gravemen has been out since early August with neck spasms, and he's dealt with neck problems in the past, but a specialist confirmed that he doesn't need surgery for now. The fact that he's already ready to throw a considerable number of pitches is undoubtedly an encouraging sign, though it's not yet clear when he's expected to return.

Loup (3-0) was credited with the victory in a win over the Blue Jays on Sunday, allowing a hit and recording no walks or strikeouts over a scoreless seventh inning.

Loup needed a scant eight pitches, six of which he threw for strikes, to get through the trio of Cavan Biggio, Randal Grichuk and Travis Shaw, the latter which he induced an inning-ending double play from. The southpaw has had just one hiccup on the season, which came when he yielded three earned runs on a couple of home runs to these same Blue Jays on Friday, but he's otherwise surrendered just one additional earned run over nine appearances overall.

Lopez worked four innings of long relief Sunday in the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Nationals. He gave up two runs on three hits while striking out five in a no-decision.

After being scooped up off waivers from the Royals, Lopez was called upon for piggyback duties in his team debut. With starter John Means being pulled after 34 pitches as part of a pre-determined plan to build up his arm slowly following his return from the bereavement list and COVID-19 injured list, Lopez entered the game with two outs in the first inning and runners on first and second. Lopez inducing an inning-ending groundout that allowed the Orioles to escape trailing by only three runs, and he pitched effectively for another 3.2 innings to keep his team competitive. Per Joe Trezza of MLB.com, Means' pitch count is expected to climb up to around 50 in his next scheduled start, so Lopez or Thomas Eshelman could be called on to piggyback the lefty in Friday's game against the Red Sox.

Phillips was optioned to the Orioles' secondary training site Monday.

Phillips owns an unremarkable 5.87 ERA and 2.09 WHIP in 7.2 innings of relief this season, with his 17.5 percent walk rate standing out as his primary problem. Dillon Tate (forearm) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move and will take his place in the bullpen.

Tate (forearm) was activated from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Tate was struck in the arm by a line drive early in camp and spent the early part of the season in the injured list. He's expected to fill a relief role upon his return to the club and will be looking to improve upon his numbers from his 21-inning debut last season in which he struggled to a 6.43 ERA. Evan Phillips was optioned in a corresponding move.