MLB Player News

The Athletics recalled Alvarado from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Jessica Kleinschmidt of Baseball America reports.

Alvarado appears set to make his MLB debut in the coming days. Alvarado has thrown 15.2 innings out of the bullpen for Las Vegas this season, registering 12.6 K/9 and a 3.45 ERA. He was claimed off waivers from the Pirates back in January.

The Tigers activated Brebbia (triceps) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Brebbia missed three weeks of action with a right triceps strain but is ready to go after making a couple rehab appearances. He permitted just one earned run through nine innings before getting hurt.

The Astros recalled VanWey from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The right-hander was optioned to Sugar Land last weekend but will quickly rejoin the big club since Hayden Wesneski (elbow) is headed to the injured list. In his first taste of the majors earlier this year, VanWey made six appearances and gave up one earned run on 11 hits with a 2:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings.

The Angels signed Farmer to a minor-league contract Friday.

Farmer was released by Atlanta last month after allowing five runs (four earned) with a 7:4 K:BB over 4.2 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett. He'll be assigned to the Angels' Arizona Complex League affiliate for now but should move up to Triple-A Salt Lake soon.

Swanson (forearm) was sent to the Blue Jays' Florida Complex League affiliate Friday to begin a rehab assignment.

Swanson had been slated to start a rehab assignment in late April before encountering a setback. However, an MRI on his injured right forearm came back negative at the beginning of the month and he's ready to give it another shot. Swanson is on the 60-day injured list and won't be eligible for activation until late May, even if his rehab stint goes smoothly.

The Mariners recalled Taylor from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Taylor has pitched well over his last seven outings between Tacoma and Seattle, allowing one run with a 9:1 K:BB over seven innings. He'll fill a middle relief role with the Mariners.

The Mariners placed Thornton on the 15-day injured list Friday with appendicitis.

Thornton will be eligible for activation May 21, but an appendectomy could result in a longer than minimum stay on the IL for the reliever. Troy Taylor is taking Thornton's spot in the bullpen.

The Rays selected Seabold's contract from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Seabold had produced a 4.55 ERA and 26:7 K:BB over 27.2 innings and six appearances (five starts) this season with Durham. The right-hander will give manager Kevin Cash some length in the bullpen.

The Rays optioned Englert to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Englert had been roughed up for seven runs over his last two relief appearances. His spot in the bullpen will be taken over by Connor Seabold.

Lauer retired the only batter he faced Tuesday in Blue Jays' 8-3 loss to the Angels.

After working four innings as the primary pitcher behind opener Yariel Rodriguez in his Blue Jays debut April 30, Lauer was deployed in a more traditional relief role Tuesday. The southpaw recorded the final out of the eighth inning, while Jose Urena covered 4.1 innings as Toronto's newest fifth starter. Urena has already been named the Blue Jays' starter for Sunday's game in Seattle.