Alexander (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday and could face live hitters at some point this week, the Associated Press reports.

This is the first report of Alexander picking up a ball since going on the IL on Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis. The veteran southpaw appears to be making timely progress overall, and if he does indeed face hitters this week without setbacks, he could potentially return when eligible without the need for a rehab assignment.

Smith (4-1) took the loss Sunday versus the Astros, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out two over one inning.

Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz went back-to-back on consecutive pitches in the seventh inning, and the Orioles weren't able to bounce back, leaving Smith with his first loss of the year. Smith was pretty effective after initially joining the Orioles in mid-July, but he's now been on the hook for multiple runs in three of his last four appearances. Since Aug. 10, he's allowed 10 runs (nine earned), including five home runs, over seven innings. Smith is now at a 4.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB overall 48.1 innings between Baltimore and Miami this year.

Pressly (back) threw another bullpen session Saturday and is expected to return from the injured list when first eligible, MLB.com reports.

Saturday's activity marked Pressly's second bullpen session since being placed on the injured list. Manager Joe Espada also noted that Pressly won't need a rehab assignment, putting him in line to return Aug. 29.

The Royals recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

He'll absorb the roster spot vacated by Will Smith (back), who was placed on the injured list. Hernandez has permitted eight runs (six earned) with a 14:9 K:BB over 15.2 frames this season during his time with the big club.

The Royals placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Monday with low-back spasms.

Smith had been bludgeoned for 14 runs over 4.2 innings cover his last five appearances. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined. Carlos Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take Smith's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen.

The Red Sox selected Keller's contract from Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Keller rejected an option to Worcester earlier this month before re-signing with Boston on a minor-league deal. He's now back in the big leagues to provide a fresh arm for Boston's bullpen.

The Red Sox designated Rodriguez for assignment Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Rodriguez pitched in all three games of the team's weekend series against the Diamondbacks, giving up one run over 2.2 frames. The lefty cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Worcester back in April, and that could happen again.

The Guardians re-signed Gose to a minor-league contract Saturday.

As expected, Gose cleared waivers after the Guardians recently designated him for assignment for the second time this month. The 34-year-old lefty elected free agency Friday after being outrighted, only to re-sign with Cleveland a day later. He will stick around in the organization as a bullpen arm for Columbus.

The Royals optioned Zerpa to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Zerpa leads Kansas City with 53 appearances this season and has pitched well for the bulk of the campaign, but in August, he's turned in a 9.82 ERA and 4:8 K:BB in 7.1 frames. Daniel Lynch was called up from Triple-A to take Zerpa's spot in the bullpen.

Lopez came away with a no-decision Sunday against the Dodgers, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings.

Lopez impressed in a road spot start against one of baseball's best lineups, limiting the Dodgers to a lot of weak contact and generating a fair share of whiffs with his slider. He blanked the home squad through four innings before Enrique Hernandez took him deep in the fifth for the game's first run, but the Rays were able to take Lopez off the hook for the loss. The southpaw presumably will be optioned back to Triple-A Durham with Erasmo Ramirez set to be called up Monday, but Lopez could see another stint in the majors over the final month if an injury opens up a role for him.