MLB Player News

Whalen was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Whalen got the call to the majors Saturday but did not appear for the Mariners before getting sent back down. The team will instead add Christian Bergman to the roster to potentially serve in long relief, if needed, Sunday.

Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Alvarez had sported a flawless record this season right up until Saturday, when he allowed three earned runs in the loss to the Mariners. Despite that being his only poor showing, the lefty will lose his roster spot, at least in the short term, to 32-year-old Austin Bibens-Dirkx.

Covey, who allowed six runs on 10 hits over four innings Saturday, may not continue to start, according to White Sox manager Rick Renteria, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports. "We'll see what we can do to either improve his outings or see what decisions we're making moving forward," Renteria said.

Covey's ERA stands at 8.28 after five starts, having allowed seven home runs in 25 innings. The Rule 5 draft pick's spot in the rotation should be up for reconsideration after a start like this, but Renteria doesn't have many options available with both James Shields (shoulder) and Carlos Rodon (biceps) sidelined. He could turn to one of the prospects at Triple-A Charlotte, like Reynaldo Lopez (3.94 ERA) or Carson Fulmer (3.18 ERA) -- but probably not Lucas Giolito (7.33 ERA).

Covey (0-3) allowed six runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings to take the loss Saturday against the Orioles.

Covey gave up four runs in the first two innings on his way to another rough outing. His 8.28 ERA makes him a player who's best left on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues. He'll make his next start Saturday against the Padres.

Manaea (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

The young southpaw completed a bullpen session Saturday, and it appears that the Oakland brass feels confidently enough to bump him back into game action quickly. Manaea is slated to "pitch in tandem" with fellow rehabbing starter Chris Bassitt (elbow), although the exact pitch count for the two of them is unclear at this time.

Mengden (foot) is slated to throw 60 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 24-year-old will make his 2017 debut against El Paso in the next step in his recovery from February foot surgery. Mengden had a rocky rookie season in 2016, generating a 2-9 record, 6.50 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 72 innings across 14 starts. He brings decent strikeout upside (8.88 K/9 last season) despite a fastball in the low 90s, but has plenty of work to do with respect to his control (4.13 BB/9).

Tonkin was designated for assignment Saturday, the Star Tribune's Phil Miller reports.

The news hit Tonkin hard, as he has spent his entire pro career with the Twins, but it should not come as a surprise considering he has a 6.52 ERA and 1.97 WHIP in 9.2 innings this season. He will likely pass through waivers and report to Triple-A Rochester.

Manaea (shoulder) threw a pain-free 36-pitch bullpen session Saturday, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

This is excellent news, as he had to throw long toss instead of a bullpen session Thursday due to a bit of soreness, but now things seem to headed back in the right direction. It is unclear whether he will need a rehab assignment before returning to the rotation.

Pagan was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, the Tacoma News Tribune's Bob Dutton reports.

Dan Altavilla and Rob Whalen were recalled from Triple-A as corresponding moves. Pagan gave up five runs in 2.2 innings with the big club, but he also notched 18 strikeouts in 11 innings with Tacoma earlier this year, so he has intriguing strikeout potential.

Whalen was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, the Tacoma News Tribune's Bob Dutton reports.

Whalen was working as a starter in Tacoma, but he's not believed to be in the mix for Sunday's opening in the rotation. However, he could piggyback off Chase De Jong's start Saturday or come in after Christian Bergman or Dillon Overton start Sunday. The 23-year-old righty profiles as a long reliever or swing man.