MLB Player News

Smith will be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

A former independent-league pitcher, Smith works with a 95 mph fastball and a useful slider. He was limited to just one appearance for Buffalo in April due to an elbow injury, but has a 3.93 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB in 18.1 innings since returning. Look for him to work primarily in low-leverage situations initially.

Hernandez tossed seven scoreless innings Monday for High-A Down East, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out eight.

Hernandez was blown up in his first two starts with Down East upon receiving the promotion from Low-A Hickory earlier this month, but he's since run up a streak of 13 scoreless frames over his last two turns. The right-hander probably won't reach the upper levels of the Rangers' system until next season, though if he can continue to excel at High-A the rest of the way, he could be an interesting prospect to track heading into 2017.

Alvarez gave up a walk and a hit before recording the final two outs of the fifth inning in Monday's 15-9 loss to the Indians.

Alvarez may have escaped the contest without damage to his ERA, but he failed to clot the bleeding upon replacing starter Cole Hamels with one out and the bases loaded. The lefty would go on to allow all three of Hamels' baserunners to score, cutting the Rangers' lead from five to two by the time he departed. With a 16:13 K:BB and 1.91 WHIP over 14.2 innings this season, Alvarez hasn't made a strong case for further work in high-leverage scenarios.

Kimbrel retired the side in order, striking out one in one inning to earn his 21st save in Monday's 4-1 win over the Twins.

Kimbrel keeps rolling along, having converted 21 saves in 22 opportunities. Boston's bullpen has been one of the better ones in MLB this season, including the work performed by Heath Hembree (double-play grounder) and Matt Barnes (three Ks) on Monday, so getting the ball to Kimbrel has not been a problem this season. A return to the 40-save mark is clearly within reach.

Chapman allowed a run on two hits during the ninth inning but still recorded his eighth save of the season during Monday's win over the White Sox.

The Yankees were in cruise control until Chasen Shreve allowed three runs in the bottom of the ninth frame, and then Chapman entered to hold off the White Sox comeback. While this was Chapman's first save since returning from the disabled list June 18, he's been his dominant self over five appearances with just a single earned run allowed and seven strikeouts through 4.2 innings.

Santiago (shoulder) was activated from the disabled list after Monday's game, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

As expected, Santiago was put on the active roster in time to make Tuesday's start against Boston. He owned a poor 5.26 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 12 starts before he went down with the shoulder injury.

Flynn (back) was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Monday, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

The left-hander injured his back prior to the start of spring training, and he'll have to earn his way back onto the 25-man roster. Should he secure a promotion, Flynn could provide some help for a Kansas City bullpen that ranks 12th in the AL with a 4.51 ERA. The 27-year-old posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 44 strikeouts across 55.1 innings out of the Royals' bullpen last season .

Smith (elbow) has resumed throwing, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Smith had his rehab assignment paused earlier this month with shoulder inflammation -- a brutal break after he had already suffered a similar setback in April. Nonetheless, the latest news is a positive indication the right-hander could be back on the mound within a few weeks and start a rehab assignment just after the All-Star break. Expect Smith to ramp up his activity if things continue to proceed smoothly, as the Red Sox could certainly use his arm in the bullpen.

Putnam (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery late last week, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports.

This is a tough break for Putnam, who also had his 2016 season cut short due to elbow issues. The 29-year-old will now spend the next 12-to-18 months rehabbing before returning to the White Sox's bullpen at some point in 2019. He compiled a 1.04 ERA and nine strikeouts in 8.2 innings of relief this season before landing on the disabled list.

Armstrong was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

With Michael Brantley (ankle) returning from the disabled list ahead of Monday's series opener against the Rangers, Armstrong was the corresponding roster casualty. The 26-year-old, who owns a 5.02 ERA and 14:6 K:BB through 14.1 innings out of the Indians' bullpen this season, will remain an option for bullpen depth down the road.