MLB Player News

Whalen was placed on the restricted list at Triple-A Tacoma in order to deal with "personal issues," Bob Dutton of The News Tribune reports.

Whalen has been struggling with the Rainiers, going 0-7 with a 6.58 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 53.1 innings across 10 starts. The 23-year-old right-hander's return date is currently unknown due to the nature of his absence, and his departure opens up another spot on the Mariners' 40-man roster for the time being.

Honeywell became the first pitcher in All-Star Futures Game history to be named MVP in Team USA's 7-6 win over the World Team on Sunday, allowing one hit over two scoreless innings while striking out four.

The 22-year-old got the start and set the tone for Team USA's victory, fanning Alex Verdugo (RotoWire's No. 40 overall prospect), Amed Rosario (No. 9), Eloy Jimenez (No. 5) and Vlad Guerrero Jr. (No. 3) in an electric performance. Honeywell, the No. 29 fantasy prospect in his own right, has struggled a bit with his control since his promotion to Triple-A Durham in April, but he's now won five of his last seven starts with a 4.25 ERA and 51:15 K:BB in 36 innings. Perhaps most impressively, he has allowed zero home runs over that stretch. There may not be room for him right now in the Rays rotation, but Honeywell appears just about ready for his big-league debut.

Colome worked around a hit in a scoreless inning of work to earn his 25th save of the season Sunday against the Red Sox.

Colome, who allowed a single to the first batter be faced, retired the next three men with ease while throwing nine of 13 pitches for strikes. He endured a rough patch leading into July in during which he allowed 10 runs over a five-inning span, but he has since responded with three consecutive scoreless outings while recording a save in each one. Colome has proven himself to be among the top tier of closers in the American League over the last couple of seasons and will look to put his recent struggles behind him after taking a breather during the All-Star break.

Norris (groin) will not throw over the All-Star break, and it remains to be seen if he will be ready when the Tigers need a fifth starter July 18 in Kansas City, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It is not a great sign that he has not yet been cleared to throw, but it does not sound like he will need a rehab assignment, so he could rejoin the rotation sometime in late July. If he is not ready, Matt Boyd would be an option to start next Tuesday's game.

Manager John Farrell reported Sunday that the Red Sox hope Smith (elbow, shoulder) will be able to begin mound work on Tuesday or Wednesday, Chris Mason of CNHI Sports Boston reports.

Smith was originally scheduled to begin his mound program this weekend, but it appears he wasn't quite ready so the team bumped back his start date to Tuesday or Wednesday. It's been a long and trying rehabilitation for Smith, but it's encouraging that he'll soon begin ramping up his throwing program again after suffering a setback in mid-June.

Leclerc didn't pitch in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Angels, but was warming up for a potential save opportunity before Alex Claudio was able to finish out the ninth inning, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Claudio wasn't credited with a save in the Rangers' victory, as he had pitched a scoreless eighth inning before the team's lead was trimmed to three after he allowed a run to score on a Cameron Maybin groundout in the ninth. Prior to generating the grounder, Claudio had allowed back-to-back hits, which prompted manager Jeff Banister to have Leclerc prepare to enter the game if Albert Pujols received a plate appearance. That never materialized, however, as Pujols was left standing in the on-deck circle while Claudio retired Kole Calhoun on another groundout to finish out the night. Since Matt Bush was deposed as closer July 1, the Rangers haven't had a save situation arise for any of their relievers, but based on how things shook out Saturday, Leclerc looks like he'd be first in line to close.

Diaz (2-4) took the Mariners' loss Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk. He struck out one.

Diaz got into trouble in the top of the ninth in a tie game, giving up a leadoff single and a stolen base. He then intentionally walked Yonder Alonso before allowing a ground-rule double to Ryon Healy, which proved to be the decisive blow. Diaz has had ups and downs as the Seattle closer, but had just worked back into Scott Servais' favor. Since this wasn't a save opportunity, perhaps that'll help his job security as the top option.

Kahnle (1-3) allowed a run on two hits Saturday but picked up the win against the Rockies.

He allowed a leadoff triple to Mark Reynolds in the bottom of the eighth and allowed him to score on a Gerardo Parra sacrifice fly to absorb the eighth-inning blown save. Kahnle then rebounded to register a strikeout and a groundout, working around a single and a wild pitch. Tim Anderson handed him the win with a solo home run in the next half inning. Kahnle otherwise has enjoyed a successful 2017 (2.45 ERA, 56 strikeouts, seven walks in 33 innings) and would likely take over save chances should the White Sox trade closer David Robertson.

Robertson struck out two in a clean ninth inning to record the save Saturday against the Rockies.

It took Robertson just 13 pitches (nine strikes) to shut the door in his first opportunity since June 29. The White Sox will likely offer him up on the trade market in the coming weeks, and although Robertson has only 12 saves on the year for this rebuilding club, his deep resume will garner plenty of interest. Though perhaps a team will acquire him to be a setup piece, it's hard not to picture him as the stopper if he finds a new home.

Chavez (5-10) allowed three runs in five innings on seven hits and two walks to absorb the loss Saturday against the Rangers. He struck out six.

The punchouts rescued an otherwise mediocre line, though they haven't helped make up for his continued mediocre seasonal production. Chavez's full-time starter role has shrunk his K/9 from 8.5 to this year's 7.0, and his 4.99 ERA at the first half's conclusion pegs him as a target for hitter streaming. Still, the Angels likely will rely on him to eat innings to buoy their injury- and disappointment-riddled rotation.