MLB Player News

Norris could piggyback starts with Drew VerHagen to close the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Norris has thrown 117.1 frames, his highest mark since 2016. As a result, he is approaching his innings limit and the team is looking for a way to closely monitor his workload. Norris has a 4.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 98 strikeouts for the campaign.

Alexander will pitch out of the bullpen rather than as a starter, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Alexander has made five appearances with the big-league club this season -- all starts to this point -- racking up a 5.13 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 24 strikeouts across 26.1 innings. As a result of his struggles, he'll be moved to a relief role, with Edwin Jackson replacing him in the rotation.

Barria was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Barria was sent down to clear room for Andrew Heaney to be activated from the injured list. He has recorded a 6.62 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 51.2 innings with the big-league club this season.

Loaisiga (shoulder) could be activated in the coming week, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

He tossed three scoreless innings Friday in a rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, striking out four while walking none and giving up just one hit. It sounds like his next work could come in a big-league uniform. Loaisiga will be capable of working as a long reliever or spot starter for the Yankees down the stretch.

Hildenberger (arm) began a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League on Saturday.

He has been on the shelf since early June with a flexor mass strain. If he gets fully healthy he could join the big-league bullpen when rosters expand in September.

Gonsalves (elbow) began a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League on Saturday.

Gonsalves has not pitched since May 21 due to an elbow injury. It sounds like he could return to the Triple-A Rochester rotation before the end of the season, and he could join the big-league bullpen when rosters expand in September.

Axford had surgery to remove a bone spur in his throwing elbow and is expected to be ready for spring training, Alexis Brudnicki of MLB.com reports.

The surgery, which was performed by Dr. James Andrews, will battle a reoccurrence of a chronic stress reaction he has been dealing with. He will be a free agent this offseason and it may be difficult for him to get a deal until he is able to throw off a mound.

Smeltzer (1-2) took the loss Friday in a 6-2 loss to Cleveland, coughing up six runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.1 innings while striking out four.

The rookie southpaw took a 1-0 lead into the fifth inning before falling apart, and the end result was perhaps Smeltzer's worst big-league start to date. He now sports a 3.66 ERA and 25:8 K:BB through 32 innings with the Twins, and his status in the rotation will depend on how quickly Michael Pineda recovers from his triceps injury.

Puk (elbow) has fired two scoreless innings during his last two rehab outings for Triple-A Las Vegas, allowing no hits and one walk while recording three strikeouts, and he could be activated at some point during the Athletics' upcoming homestand, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manager Bob Melvin confirmed that activating Puk will be given serious consideration beginning early next week. At the same time, the Oakland skipper concedes that the team's front office and medical staff must be in agreement on Puk's workload and just 17 months removed from Tommy John surgery, he may not be able to pitch as frequently as other relievers. However, even in a restricted capacity, he may be able to serve as a more stable left-handed relief option than Wei-Chung Wang, who's now allowed 10 earned run over his last 14 appearances.

Alvarado (oblique) allowed an earned run on two hits and recorded two strikeouts over an inning in Triple-A Durham's win over Indianapolis on Friday, and he could be promoted at any time due to the team's pitching needs, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Alvarado's ERA was blemished for the first time in four rehab appearances, but he was otherwise effective while firing 14 of 21 pitches for strikes. The left-hander has seemingly proven his health after logging 3.1 innings in the minors, and he could be a candidate for activation as early as Saturday.