MLB Player News

Chapman (shoulder) expects to throw another bullpen later this week before pitching in a simulated game at extended spring training over the weekend, Sweeny Murti of Sports Radio 66 WFAN reports.

Chapman plans to throw what will likely be a one-inning simulated game Friday, and if his shoulder checks out fine during that outing, he could head to Double-A Trenton next week to begin a rehab assignment. It seems the Yankees' decision to shut down Chapman in mid May for two weeks has allowed the inflammation in his shoulder to dissipate, so once he's able to ramp up his throwing and regain velocity, he'll likely be activated from the disabled list and settle back in fairly quickly as the team's closer, displacing Dellin Betances. Chapman said he's targeting a return during the Yankees' three-game series with the Athletics that begins June 16.

Alvarez (elbow) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Tuesday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Alvarez had been sidelined for a little over a week with the elbow issue and felt fine during a 26-pitch bullpen session over the weekend, which was good enough for the Rangers to bring him back without sending him out on a rehab assignment. The southpaw has submitted a 3.48 ERA and 12 strikeouts over 10.1 innings this season and is expected to settle back into a role in middle relief, mostly acting as a lefty specialist.

Junis was officially recalled by the Royals on Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Seth Maness was optioned down to make room on the roster for Junis, who will make his second career start and fourth career appearance in the majors Tuesday against the Astros. The right-hander has been excellent at Triple-A Omaha this year, posting a 2.34 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 57:8 K:BB over 42.1 innings, and it looks like he will get an extended look with Danny Duffy (oblique) out six-to-eight weeks.

Axford was credited with his first hold in Monday's 5-3 win over the Blue Jays, firing a scoreless seventh inning in which he gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout.

The 34-year-old appears to be settling in after getting a late start to his season due to a shoulder injury and then allowing a total of seven runs (six earned) in his first five outings. Axford has turned in scoreless one-inning efforts in his last two trips to the mound, bringing his ERA down from 11.57 to 8.10 in the process. The veteran right-hander figures to continue receiving consistent use, given his track record and experience as a sixth- and seventh-inning option.

Rumbelow (elbow) was activated off the DL at the beginning of the month and sent to Double-A Trenton.

Rumbelow had been sidelined since April of 2016 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but the 25-year-old didn't show any rust in retiring the only three batters he faced in his season debut Friday. The righty has some experience working out of the bullpen for the big-league club, but after missing about 14 months, he'll likely stay down in the minors for the time being.

Manaea (5-3) gave up two earned runs on four hits and three walks over six innings in Monday's 5-3 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out seven.

Manaea got into some early trouble in the first but was quickly given a reprieve when Ryon Healy bashed the first of two home runs in the second to stake the young lefty to a 3-1 lead. The 25-year-old then settled in and allowed just one other run the rest of the way, exiting after six frames and a season-high 111 pitches. It was Manaea's third straight quality start, a stretch in which he's allowed just three earned runs and compiled a 24:5 K:BB across 20 innings. He'll look to notch what would be his fifth consecutive victory when he faces the Rays on the road Saturday.

Johnson (hamstring) threw from 120 feet off flat ground Monday and will pitch a bullpen session Tuesday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

It's looking like Johnson may have avoided serious injury when he landed awkwardly while making a pitch for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday. If he makes it out of the bullpen without a setback, Johnson will be expected to fill in for Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) in the rotation Saturday. With Boston having announced that Rodriguez will rest for 3-to-4 weeks, Johnson has an opportunity to make his next five or six starts in the majors. The young left-hander has made two starts for Boston this season, most recently throwing a complete-game shutout against Seattle.

Boxberger (back) emerged from an impressive one-inning outing for High-A Charlotte on Monday declaring that his arm felt "great," Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The veteran reliever struck out the side on 14 pitches, 11 of which he threw for strikes. It was Boxberger's long-awaited first rehab outing, and he'll report to the trainers Tuesday for confirmation on his next step. The plan remains for Boxberger to see action in multiple games in the minors before his 2017 big-league debut.

Junis will be called up from Triple-A Omaha to start Tuesday against the Astros, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Junis will assume the rotation spot vacated by Danny Duffy, who was diagnosed with an oblique strain last week and will be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks. The right-hander performed capably in his lone other start this season May 21 against the Twins, conceding two runs on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings, but he's been much more impressive at Omaha. In seven outings for the Triple-A squad spanning 42.1 innings, Junis has compiled a 57:8 K:BB to go with a 2.34 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. He'll get a tough matchup in his return to the Royals against the AL-leading Astros, but Junis lines up for a more favorable landing spot in his second start of the week Sunday against the Padres at Petco Park.

Johnson (hamstring) threw Sunday and is still a top candidate to take the rotation spot of Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) and start Saturday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Concerns were raised after the pitching prospect left his scheduled start with the PawSox early due to a hamstring cramp, but it seems like the issue was fairly minor. Unless another setback occurs, most signals are pointing toward him being called up to start for the big-league club at home against the Tigers on Saturday.