MLB Player News

Stephenson's (shoulder) removal from a rehab appearance over the weekend was due to right elbow soreness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stephenson issued a four-pitch walk to the only batter he faced in his first rehab outing before being lifted. He has been out all season with a shoulder injury and now has an elbow problem to contend with. The reliever will undergo testing before more is known about a diagnosis and potential timetable.

Swanson (forearm) is likely to be activated from the injured list Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Swanson has been out all season with right forearm inflammation but is ready to roll after making three rehab appearances. He will be in line for setup duties ahead of closer Jordan Romano (elbow), who is also on track for activation Tuesday.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Romano (elbow) will be activated soon and will immediately regain his closer job, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The strong indication seems to be that Romano will be activated Tuesday. Romano retired just three of the eight batters he faced during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo, but it does not appear Schneider will hesitate to use him in a save situation right away. The closer has been out with right elbow inflammation.

The Tigers claimed Adcock off waivers from the Mariners on Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Toledo.

Adcock had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to a new organization. The 26-year-old made 12 appearances for Seattle last season but has spent all of this season at Triple-A Tacoma, yielding two earned runs with a 2:3 K:BB over 2.1 innings.

Newcomb (knee) is set to begin a throwing progression in coming days, MLB.com reports.

The left-hander has been shut down from throwing since the final week of spring training, and he'll likely be in store for a lengthy rehab assignment whenever he's deemed ready for that step. For the time being, the fact he'll soon pick up a ball again is encouraging and seemingly leaves Newcomb on pace to be ready to return from the 60-day injured list well before the All-Star break.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock by the Rangers on Monday.

The move comes one day after Rodriguez was knocked around for three runs while recording just one out in an appearance versus the Astros. He'll be replaced on the roster by Michael Lorenzen (neck), who will come off the injured list to start Monday in Detroit.

Anderson was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte by the White Sox on Monday.

Anderson was up for the weekend series against the Reds, allowing two runs over 2.1 innings across a couple appearances. He'll be replaced on the roster by Nick Nastrini, who will start Monday versus the Royals.

Alexander (ribs) is projected to throw a bullpen session in coming days, MLB.com reports.

The veteran remains without a timeline for return, but the bullpen session would mark his first time throwing off a mound since spring training. Alexander was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left side in mid-March after three ragged Cactus League outings, and he'll almost certainly need an extensive rehab assignment whenever he's deemed ready to return to game action.

Spence (1-1) got the win over the Nationals on Sunday despite allowing two earned runs on four hits over 1.2 innings. He struck out one.

Spence took over for embattled starter Alex Wood with one out in the fifth inning and induced an inning-ending double play. However, the right-hander worked himself into trouble in the sixth, eventually surrendered RBI singles to Joey Meneses and Lane Thomas as the Nationals built a seemingly commanding 6-1 lead. Nevertheless, Spence was bailed out when the typically light-hitting Athletics put together an improbable six-run rally in the home half of the frame and held on for the one-run victory. Spence has been scored on in each of his first four big-league appearances, but the fact two of those outings have been three innings in length and one of the runs was unearned has helped lead to a serviceable 4.15 ERA across 8.2 frames.

Pearson struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Sunday during a 5-0 win over the Rockies.

It wasn't a high-leverage spot, but Pearson still mowed down the heart of Colorado's order on 16 pitches (10 strikes). The right-hander has been impressive to begin the season, posting a 0.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 6.1 innings as he adjusts to a relief role, but until he starts being entrusted with more responsibility, his fantasy value with be limited -- Pearson has zero wins, holds or saves in six appearances.