MLB Player News

Cimber (shoulder) threw from 90 feet Monday and Thursday, per MLB.com.

Cimber was placed on the injured list June 15 due to right shoulder inflammation one day after a poor outing against San Francisco , though he reportedly had been getting treatment on the shoulder prior to that appearance. The righty reliever appears to be making progress in his recovery given his recent throwing. However, it's unclear when Cimber might be ready to return to the Angels' bullpen.

The Red Sox claimed Speas off waivers from the Astros on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Speas was DFA'd by the Astros last week, and although he'll remain in Triple-A with his new organization, he'll claim a spot on the 40-man roster. The 26-year-old righty has accumulated a gaudy 10.38 ERA and 2.26 WHIP through 21.2 total innings in the minors while spending time with three different organizations. Barring significant improvement, a return to the majors is unlikely.

Hendriks (elbow) threw a second bullpen session Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

All 20 of Hendriks' pitches Friday were fastballs, and the right-hander noted Saturday that three more bullpen sessions are planned next week. The 35-year-old is working his way back from Tommy John surgery last August, and he is aiming to return to the majors before the end of the regular season. In his last full season in 2022 as a member of the White Sox, Hendriks registered a 2.81 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 85:16 K:BB across 57.2 innings.

Burdi (hip) will throw a live bullpen session Sunday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Sunday will mark the first time Burdi has thrown since landing on the injured list May 24 due to right hip inflammation. In 12 appearances before the injury, he posted a 1.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 9.2 innings. More bullpen sessions will be in store for the 31-year-old right-hander -- barring any setbacks after Sunday -- as he aims to return after the All-Star break.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Mata (shoulder) felt good after his rehab start Thursday, and the right-hander will start again for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

In his first rehab outing for Worcester on Thursday, Mata allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 frames. He opened the season on the injured list with a right hamstring strain, and he's been dealing with lat and shoulder soreness since May. Mata is out of minor-league options, and the 25-year-old right-hander is expected to work as a reliever out of Boston's bullpen once his rehab program is complete.

The Guardians optioned McCaughan to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

After being recalled by the big club Thursday, McCaughan pitched four innings against the Royals on Friday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out one. The move makes room on the 26-man roster for right-hander Eli Morgan (elbow), who was activated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Guardians activated Morgan (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Morgan will return from his second IL stint this season after recovering from right elbow inflammation. He made two rehab appearances in Triple-A, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. To make room for Morgan on the 26-man roster, Darren McCaughan was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

Romano was shut down from throwing after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's the second time Romano has been shut down from throwing since he landed on the injured list June 1. Manager John Schneider said Saturday that Romano will get an evaluation on his right elbow July 2, which should give clarity on the next steps for the 31-year-old closer, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Prior to his injury, Romano registered eight saves with a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 13.2 innings this season.

Stanek (5-1) got the extra-inning win over the Twins on Friday, firing a perfect 10th inning.

Stanek followed Andres Munoz after the latter had fired a perfect ninth frame, and the former was able to match his high-leverage mate in caliber of performance while also earning the win. Stanek needed just nine pitches, six which he located for strikes, to get through his inning, setting down Max Kepler, Manuel Margot and Christian Vazquez in order. The veteran right-hander's pristine effort was an extension of his recent run of excellence, one that's seen him pitch 8.2 consecutive scoreless innings during which he's generated an 11:1 K:BB, two wins, two holds and three saves across 10 appearances.

Alexander (1-2) got the victory over the Diamondbacks on Friday, allowing an earned run on a hit and a walk over one inning.

Alexander was the first reliever out of the bullpen following JP Sears' impressive six-inning start, and while the former did falter by allowing a Ketel Marte go-ahead RBI single, he was able to limit the damage to that one run. Alexander then became the beneficiary of a three-run eighth-inning rally by Oakland, which gave the A's a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Alexander posted a career-high seven wins with the Giants in 2023, but Friday's victory was his first of this season and came in an outing where he was scored upon for the fifth time in eight appearances.