MLB Player News

The White Sox placed Soroka on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to July 16, due to a right shoulder strain.

The right-hander suffered the injury during the final game before the All-Star break Sunday. Soroka will be eligible for reinstatement July 31, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be sidelined.

Mata (lat) was returned from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Friday after experiencing right elbow inflammation during an appearance Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Sunday's rehab outing was expected to be Mata's last before being reinstated from the IL, but his return date is now uncertain. It would be surprising to see Mata back before the end of July.

The Blue Jays optioned Pop to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Pop was knocked around for three runs (two earned) over an inning of work in his final appearance before the All-Star break and holds a 5.90 ERA in 29 relief frames this season. The Blue Jays have recalled Erik Swanson and also reinstated Yimi Garcia from the injured list to supplement their bullpen.

The Blue Jays activated Garcia (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Garcia has been sidelined since mid-June with right elbow ulnar neuritis and dealt with some neck stiffness during a brief rehab assignment. He's feeling good now, however, and should immediately be thrown back into the late-inning mix for the Blue Jays, perhaps even as the team's closer. Garcia boasts a 2.57 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB over 28 innings this season.

The Blue Jays recalled Swanson from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Swanson's first 12 appearances at Buffalo didn't go well, as he was tagged for 22 runs (17 earned) over 10 innings. He had been better lately though, yielding two runs with a 5:1 K:BB over his last 5.1 frames. Swanson likely won't see high-leverage work right away, but he could find himself in a prominent role if the Blue Jays ship out relievers like Yimi Garcia and Trevor Richards before the trade deadline.

Lambert (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with the White Sox' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Lambert has been out all season with a right rotator cuff strain. Given how much time he's missed, he will require several rehab appearances. Lambert posted a 5.26 ERA and 41:20 K:BB over 37.2 innings with the White Sox in 2023.

Murfee (elbow) resumed throwing full bullpen sessions June 21, MLB.com reports.

Murfee had previously been limited to throwing off the slope of the mound, but he's since taken a step forward in his recovery from last July's Tommy John surgery. He had been limited to throwing fastballs during his initial bullpen sessions, but it's possible he's been able to incorporate more breaking pitches in the month since being cleared for mound work. Murfee could be cleared to face hitters shortly after the All-Star break and could return from the 60-day injured list later in the second half.

The Royals signed Lamet to a minor-league contract Friday.

Lamet had remained a free agent since opting out of his minor-league contract with the Dodgers back in early June, but he's finally latched on with another organization. The veteran right-hander had been pitching mostly as a starter with Triple-A Oklahoma City, but it's not clear whether the Royals are planning on a starting or relief role for Lamet at Triple-A Omaha.

The Rays selected Zuber's contract Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Durham.

The transaction would seem to be related to the Rays wanting to prevent Zuber from exercising an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract. The 29-year-old reliever holds a 2.49 ERA and 29:6 K:BB over 21.2 innings this season at Durham. He hasn't appeared in the majors since 2021.

The Twins activated Weiss (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday and outrighted him to Triple-A St. Paul, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Weiss has been out all season with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. He's healthy now, after having allowed six runs with an 8:3 K:BB over eight innings during his rehab assignment, which included stops at three affiliates. The Twins didn't have room on Weiss from the 40-man roster, but he'll remain in the organization as bullpen depth at St. Paul.