MLB Player News

Slaten (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Slaten threw a bullpen session Monday, and he's now slated to take the final step in his recovery from right elbow inflammation. It's unclear where Slaten will report to for his rehab assignment, but he likely won't require an extensive stay before ultimately returning to the Red Sox bullpen.

The Athletics selected Ginn's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Since being moved up to Las Vegas from Double-A Midland on May 11, Ginn posted a 5.72 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 72.1 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Despite his lackluster performance, Ginn will move up to the big leagues and join Oakland's pitching staff as a replacement for lefty Scott Alexander (shoulder), who was moved to the injured list. The 25-year-old Ginn has worked almost exclusively as a starter throughout his career in the minors, though he'll likely be used as a long reliever while in the big leagues.

The Athletics placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis.

Alexander has been a valuable member of Oakland's bullpen since he made his season debut in late May, and he's thrown 5.2 scoreless frames while striking out seven batters over his last six appearances. He'll now be held out until at least Sept. 2, and the A's will promote J.T. Ginn from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the open roster spot.

Harvey (back) suffered a setback in his recovery Tuesday and will be shut down from all activity for the next 2-to-3 days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Harvey received a cortisone injection Tuesday to help his back recover, and manager Matt Quatraro estimates that the 29-year-old reliever will be back to playing catch before the end of the week. He had been looking to rejoin the Royals' bullpen before the end of the month, though his setback will likely push his return into September.

Hamilton (lat) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Double-A Somerset, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Hamilton was able to throw two innings in a simulated game Tuesday without any issue, and he's now been given the green light to pitch in minor-league games this weekend. The 29-year-old righty has been on the injured list since June with a right lat strain and will likely require multiple appearances in the minors before rejoining the Yankees bullpen.

The Orioles recalled Tate from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Tate will take Keegan Akin's (paternity list) spot in the bullpen temporarily. Tate has thrown 33.1 innings for Baltimore this season, logging a 4.59 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP with a 23:9 K:BB.

Faedo will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher during Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Faedo is expected to handle one or two innings before turning the game over to bulk reliever Bryan Sammons. Though Faedo has allowed just one run in 3.2 innings during August, he's walked eight batters in that span. He has a 3.72 ERA over 55.2 innings on the season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated Tuesday that he still plans for Holmes to be his primary closer, Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Boone was asked about a potential closer-by-committee and said he expects Holmes to be the guy "a lot of nights." The skipper added that he could be more open now than he has been to using Holmes earlier in the game if he feels the matchups are right. Holmes leads all of baseball with 10 blown saves this season and has blown six of his last 13 opportunities. His overall numbers -- a 2.88 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 56:14 K:BB in 50 innings -- are still quite good, and Boone reiterated Tuesday that he believes Holmes is throwing the ball well and he expects him to be successful moving forward. It's not exactly a full-throated endorsement, but certainly Holmes still looks like the favorite to lead the club in saves the rest of the way. If Boone does eventually make a change, Luke Weaver, Tommy Kahnle, Michael Tonkin and Mark Leiter could all potentially be in the mix for saves.

The Orioles placed Akin on the paternity list Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Akin has served as a multi-inning reliver since joining the Orioles active roster Aug. 7, yielding four runs with a 11:0 K:BB across 7.1 innings during that stretch. He'll be away from the team temporarily to be present for the birth of his child. A corresponding move has yet to be announced.

Triple-A Round Rock placed Robert on its 7-day injured list Aug. 7 with an unspecified injury.

After the Rangers optioned him to Round Rock on July 21, Robert made just one appearance for the Triple-A club before being shut down with the injury. The 29-year-old right-hander has been a standout performer at the back end of the Round Rock bullpen this season, logging a 2.27 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB in 31.2 innings.