MLB Player News

Kimbrel (wrist) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kimbrel had made only one appearance for the Rays before going down with a right wrist strain at the end of May. It's unclear whether the club will ask him to make any rehab appearances first, but Kimbrel looks to be on track for activation from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Friday.

Helsley (elbow) threw batting practice against live hitters Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Helsley had already completed multiple bullpen sessions over the last two weeks, but his ability to face hitters Monday means that he's checked off another box in the recovery process for his inflamed right elbow, which sent him to the injured list May 1. If Helsley checks out fine following the workout, the Orioles could clear him to head out on a rehab assignment later this week.

The Blue Jays activated Nance (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Nance has been shelved since mid-May with right forearm discomfort but is ready to rejoin the Blue Jays bullpen following one rehab appearance with Triple-A Buffalo. The 35-year-old will operate in a middle-relief role.

The Blue Jays designated Rodriguez for assignment Monday.

Rodriguez has made 10 appearances out of the Toronto bullpen this season, putting up a 7.71 ERA and 6:7 K:BB over 9.1 innings. He's likely to go unclaimed on waivers, and assuming that happens, he'll report back to Triple-A Buffalo.

The Red Sox optioned La Sorsa to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

La Sorsa was just added to the Boston roster last week and made just one appearance, giving up a solo home run to one of the two batters he faced. The lefty reliever is being replaced on the active roster by utility player Nate Eaton, who was recalled from Worcester.

The Rays transferred Heasley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Initially deactivated last Tuesday after being diagnosed with a right elbow stress reaction, Heasley still remains without a clear timeline for a return, but his move to the 60-day IL ensures he'll be shelved through at least July 27. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, the Rays selected outfielder Austin Slater's contract from Triple-A Durham.

Bachman (illness) appeared in relief in two of the Angels' three games against the Dodgers over the weekend, retiring four of the five batters he faced while notching three strikeouts.

Bachman hit Alex Freeland with a pitch in Friday's 1-0 loss but otherwise had a clean weekend. The pair of appearances were Bachman's first since May 30, as he had went unused out of the bullpen over a stretch of four games while he recovered from an illness.

Smith (shoulder) started a throwing program Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Shortly after landing on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to right shoulder inflammation, Smith received a cortisone shot to address the injury. After responding well to the injection, Smith is beginning to ramp up again and could re-emerge as an option in the Detroit bullpen later this month. He'll likely require a brief rehab assignment prior to being activated from the IL.

Slaten (0-3) was the losing pitcher Sunday, when he allowed four runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning in a 6-1 loss to the Yankees.

It all looked good for Slaten, who struck out the first two batters faced, including slugger Ben Rice, before the lefty-swinging Cody Bellinger took him deep to break a 1-1 tie. To that point in the season, the right-handed Slaten had allowed just one hit and one walk to left-handed hitters over 23 plate appearances. From there, the inning spiraled out of control and the normally trustworthy Slaten gave up four runs for the second time in four outings.

Whitlock (knee) is likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Whitlock struck out a batter and allowed one hit and two walks over a scoreless inning during a rehab appearance with Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, and that will apparently be the only outing the right-hander will require in the minors prior to being activated. He'll rejoin the Red Sox in Tampa ahead of the second contest of their three-game set at Tropicana Field.