MLB Player News

Chapman (illness) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Chapman is still building up his arm strength after missing all of summer camp due to COVID-19. The southpaw threw a bullpen session Wednesday, and it sounds like he could be cleared to face live hitters next week if everything goes off without a hitch during his BP session this weekend. Zack Britton should continue to close in Chapman's absence.

Mengden moved into a bullpen role July 31 after the Athletics added Jesus Luzardo to the rotation, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Mengden hasn't been used since his last start July 28, while Oakland's top pitching prospect strengthened his hold on a rotation spot by tossing five shutout innings Tuesday against the Rangers. The Athletics presumably still view Mengden as the next man up in the rotation, but he'll be largely limited to low-leverage mop-up work while he's in the bullpen.

Abreu was optioned to the Astros' alternate training site Thursday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Abreu was part of Houston's Opening Day roster and worked mainly as a middle reliever, but he'll find himself off the major-league roster as the active roster shrinks to 28 players. In four relief appearances this year, the right-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and seven walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings. He'll remain on the taxi squad for the team's current series but will work on his control at the alternate training site going forward.

The Twins list Smeltzer as their starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Royals, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Though manager Rocco Baldelli hasn't confirmed as much, Smeltzer looks like he'll be joining the rotation as a replacement for Lewis Thorpe, who may be headed to the bullpen after givng up three runs and putting 10 runners on base over four innings in his start Monday against the Pirates. Smeltzer made six starts for Minnesota in 2019, but he's appeared in long relief for his first two outings of this season, ceding six runs but striking out seven over 4.2 total innings.

Kahnle (elbow) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Thursday.

He opted for Tommy John surgery earlier this week. Given the timing of the injury, it will take a very smooth recovery for Kahnle to return in 2021. Next year is his final year under club control, so it's possible the Yankees will non-tender him at some point in the next year.

Rodriguez was optioned to the Angels' alternate camp site Thursday.

This move comes as the Angels look to shave their roster down to 28. Rodriguez made just one appearance during his brief stint with the big club, allowing a pair of hits and a walk across 1.2 scoreless frames.

Montero (elbow) is on track to be activated from the injured list Friday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Montero has been sidelined all season with right elbow tendinitis, but he's set to rejoin the Rangers ahead of Friday's series opener against the Angels. The right-hander should assume a high-leverage relief role after posting a 2.48 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 29 innings with Texas last season. With an unproven cast of characters making up the current closing committee in Texas, Montero could start getting save opportunities if he proves he is back to pitching as effectively as he did in 2019.

The Mariners optioned Shaw to their alternate training site Thursday.

Seattle signed Shaw ahead of Opening Day with the hope that he might rebound after he struggled the past two years while pitching at altitude in Colorado, but the veteran right-hander was a disaster through his first four games of the bullpen. In just 3.1 innings, Shaw gave up 10 runs on 10 hits and four walks while striking out just one. Though he'll retain a spot on the 40-man roster, Shaw's poor results thus far could make the Mariners reluctant to call him up anytime soon.

The Yankees optioned Nelson to their alternate training site Thursday.

With the Yankees having to reduce their active roster from 30 to 28 men ahead of Thursday's series finale with the Phillies, Nelson found himself as the odd man out in manager Aaron Boone's nine-man bullpen. Nelson's demotion was likely solidified after he was hit hard in long relief Wednesday in the Yankees' 11-7 loss in the first game of a doubleheader. He recorded five outs and surrendered seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk.

Edwards notched his first save of the season Wednesday against the Angels. He tossed a scoreless inning, striking out two.

Edwards has looked impressive to start the season, tossing four straight scoreless appearances while fanning six in 3.2 innings across that stretch. It remains to be seen if he will handle the closer role on a permanent basis moving forward, but he should remain one of Seattle's main relievers for the foreseeable future.