MLB Player News

Payano will be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to either start or work as the bulk reliever Tuesday against the Mariners, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

According to manager Chris Woodward, Payano will likely serve as the primary pitcher, though the club hasn't announced who will open the contest. The right-hander has tossed just one inning this year in the big leagues, and he figures to be asked to eat up at least a few frames in the second game of the series.

Shafer left Monday's game against Cleveland due to right elbow discomfort, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Shafer will head for further evaluation after being pulled from his outing. The extent of his elbow injury is not yet known.

Shafer left Monday's game against the Indians with an apparent injury, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Shafer looked to suffer the injury while throwing a pitch during the sixth inning, and he would leave with the team trainer shortly after. He'll be considered day-to-day until the details surrounding his injury are revealed.

Loaisiga (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game Thursday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Loaisiga (shoulder) has been sidelined since mid-May with a shoulder injury but is closing in on a return. The right-hander will need to complete a rehab assignment before being activated, but once healthy, he's expected to be used as a starter.

Montero had his contract selected from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Montero will replace the injured Shawn Kelley (biceps) on the roster and in the bullpen. The 28-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery last year and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2017 as a result, though he owns a solid 3.44 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 31:2 K:BB across 18.1 minor-league innings this season.

Barria is listed as the Angels' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

The Angels could always alter their pitching plans depending on how Tuesday's series opener shakes out, but Barria nonetheless looks poised to stick in the rotation for another turn, despite a rocky outing in Seattle over the weekend. Barria surrendered a career-high 10 runs on nine hits and four walks over 3.2 innings, negating most of the good work he had done in his prior three appearances with the big club. If Barria fails to put the clamps on the Dodgers this week, he could be bound for Triple-A Salt Lake.

Covey is listed as the White Sox's starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Covey was on track to re-enter the White Sox rotation last week during the team's series versus the Royals, but he was ultimately bypassed for the nod in favor of Ross Detwiler. After outperforming Detwiler while working in long relief behind him in Kansas City, Covey looks like he'll be rewarded with his first start since July 13. Over eight turns through the Chicago rotation this season, Covey has posted a 5.89 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 36.2 innings.

Heller clarified Monday that he's dealing with a right forearm strain and is hopeful to be activated from the 60-day injured list at some point in September, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

While on the mend from April 2018 Tommy John surgery, Heller made five minor-league rehab appearances between two affiliates before he was shut down last week with what was described as an elbow flexor strain. Heller described his injury with slightly different language Monday, but he'll still be shut down from throwing for at least a few more days and will essentially be forced to restart his rehab schedule. If Heller is cleared to pitch in minor-league games by mid-August, he should have a decent chance of meeting his goal of appearing in the majors before the end of 2019.

Thornton was placed on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

It's unclear when the injury cropped up, but it could help explain Thornton's struggles in his two starts since the All-Star break (0-1 with an 18.69 ERA, 2.77 WHIP and 3:4 K:BB in 4.1 innings). The young right-hander will now remain sidelined for at least the next 10 days. In a corresponding move, Ryan Borucki (elbow) was activated from the IL.

Borucki (elbow) was activated from the injured list Monday ahead of his scheduled start against the Indians.

As expected, Borucki is set to make his 2019 big-league debut after missing the past four months with an elbow injury. The southpaw looked solid across four minor-league rehab starts, compiling a 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB across 18 innings. Trent Thornton (elbow) was sent to the injured list in a corresponding move.