MLB Player News

Chavez (3-5) allowed three runs and five hits (one home run) while walking one and striking out five over seven innings to beat the White Sox 5-3 on Monday.

His fourth quality start of the season lowered his ERA to 4.22 on the season, but his lackluster 7.35 K/9 in 49 innings limits Chavez's value to AL-only and deep mixed leagues based on matchups. The long ball has been an issue, too, as he's surrendered eight in his eight starts.

Axford (shoulder) will make his next rehab appearance with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The veteran reliever enjoyed a successful first appearance Saturday, and if all goes well with Tuesday's outing, he could rejoin the A's on Thursday. Axford was a workhorse in his first Oakland season in 2016, firing 65.2 innings over 68 appearances while notching six victories, 15 holds and three saves. His presence could certainly be a welcome addition to a bullpen that's struggled of late, blowing saves in three consecutive games for the first time since 2004.

Pomeranz had an MRI on his injured triceps come back clean Monday and has been cleared to resume baseball activities, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

Tightness in Pomeranz's triceps forced him out of Sunday's start after just three innings, but it looks like he'll be fine. Expect Pomeranz to make a start against Oakland on Saturday. Pomeranz has made just two quality starts in seven appearances this season, with the last coming back on April 28 against the Cubs.

Jimenez (back) is expected to miss a month of action, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

No timetable for his return was initially given, but further examination by team doctors helped produce a clearer picture of what Jimenez's road to recovery will look like. He'll spend much of the next month rehabbing with the Tigers' affiliate in Lakeland.

Curtis was optioned to Double-A Arkansas on Monday.

The Mariners needed a spot in the bullpen for recently activated reliever Steve Cishek, so even though Curtis didn't allow a run in two relief appearances, he'll head back to the level at which he started the year. He'll continue to develop as a bullpen arm, and his strong first impression with Seattle could bode well for his chances of getting a late-season call-up.

Infante had his contract purchased from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Calling up Infante is the corresponding roster move after Cody Asche was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday. The 29-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in the majors since 2010, also with the White Sox, but his stellar 2.08 ERA and 11.1 K/9 in 13 Triple-A innings this season could help him succeed in a low-leverage relief role.

Manaea (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Monday.

As anticipated, the young left-hander will return from injury in order to start Monday's contest with the division-rival Mariners. Manaea has been sidelined since April 26, but prior to getting hurt, he held a 5.18 ERA and 10.0 K/9 in 24.1 innings pitched. To make room for him on the major-league roster, catcher Bruce Maxwell was sent back to Triple-A Nashville.

Coulombe two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Rangers, recording a strikeout and allowing no runners.

The 27-year-old reliever has quietly become one of manager Bob Melvin's most trusted bullpen options, turning in scoreless efforts in six of his last seven appearances. Coulombe is now sporting a solid 2.77 ERA, and his value as a southpaw has risen exponentially in the prolonged absence of fellow lefty Sean Doolittle (shoulder).

Graveman didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Rangers, giving up four earned runs on nine hits, a walk and two wild pitches over 6.2 innings. He struck out two.

Graveman fired his highest number of pitches (99) since throwing 104 in his opening start of the season and got into the seventh for the second straight start. However, the 26-year-old blew his opportunity for his third win of the season when he gave up an RBI infield single to Delino DeShields, then reliever Ryan Madson allowed the latter to score by surrendering a double to Elvis Andrus. Graveman has been solid overall this season, including encouragingly inducing double-digit groundballs in his last two starts, but he hasn't notched a victory since April 8. He'll try again for his third win in a home start versus the Red Sox on Friday.

Axford (shoulder) could be activated from the 10-day disabled list during the Athletics' upcoming six-game homestand, which kicks off Thursday against the Red Sox, the Associated Press reports.

Before being activated by the Athletics, Axford is expected to pitch in at least one more game for Triple-A Nashville after he kicked off his rehab assignment Saturday with a scoreless inning. The Oakland bullpen ranks 23rd in the majors with a 4.73 ERA this season, so Axford could be thrust into a prominent role in front of closer Santiago Casilla once he's deemed ready to go.