MLB Player News

Alcala (forearm) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Tuesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Alcala is slated to face off against rehabbing teammates Byron Buxton (hamstring) and Alex Kirilloff (shoulder) on Tuesday for the first of what's expected to be two live sessions this week for the right-hander. The 28-year-old was placed on the injured list May 16 with a radial stress fracture of his right forearm and is expected to complete three live batting practice sessions within the next 10 days before the Twins feel comfortable sending him out on a rehab assignment, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com.

The Astros optioned Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Houston activated right-hander Phil Maton (elbow) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Blanco has now been optioned five times this season, so if he's called up again by Houston, he would have to be exposed to waivers if the Astros end up demoting him.

The Astros reinstated Maton (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Right-hander Ronel Blanco was sent to Triple-A Sugar Land to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Maton, who spent the minimum amount of time on the shelf with the bruised elbow. Maton has collected one save, three wins and eight holds while pitching to a 3.04 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 53.1 innings out of the bullpen this season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that Jansen (hamstring) will be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's series finale with the Dodgers, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The veteran closer had been nursing a tight right hamstring since exiting in his most recent appearance Wednesday against the Astros, but he'll be ready to take the hill Sunday if a closing situation arises after he checked out fine while throwing in a live batting practice session Saturday. Jansen has been rock-solid in his age-35 campaign, converting 29 of 32 save chances while submitting a 2.81 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 41.2 innings.

The Red Sox recalled Murphy from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

He'll provide Boston with another left-handed option capable of covering multiple innings out of the bullpen for at least the next week after fellow lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino was placed on the COVID-19-related injured list Sunday. Murphy was optioned to Triple-A following Monday's loss to the Astros but hadn't made any appearances for Worcester since the demotion.

The Red Sox placed Bernardino on the COVID-19-related injured list Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Boston recalled Chris Murphy from Triple-A Worcester to provide the team with another left-handed option out of the bullpen while Bernardino is recovering from the virus. As Browne notes, players on the COVID-19 IL are deactivated for a minimum of seven days before being eligible for a return. Bernardino will thus remain off the 26-man active roster until at least next Sunday.

The Blue Jays recalled Jackson from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Toronto brought Jackson aboard to provide the team with another right-handed option out of the bullpen after setup man Erik Swanson (spine) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over his 18 appearances with the Blue Jays this season, Jackson has compiled a 1.64 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB across 22 innings.

Swanson was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with thoracic spine inflammation.

Swanson left early in his relief appearance in Saturday's game against Cleveland with what the Blue Jays initially labeled as right mid-back discomfort, but the right-hander later underwent an MRI that revealed a more precise diagnosis, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca. The Blue Jays called up right-hander Jay Jackson from Triple-A Buffalo to take over the active roster spot of Swanson, who has picked up three wins, four saves and 28 holds to go with a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 67:19 K:BB across 58 innings this season.

Zerpa struck out a batter and allowed one run on one hit while working out of the bullpen in Saturday's 15-2 loss to the Mariners.

Zerpa had started in each of his last two appearances, but he was piggybacked in Tuesday's game against Oakland by Zack Greinke, who was eased back in his return from the injured list with a four-inning relief appearance. Greinke should be ready to take on a more traditional starting role the next time his turn in the rotation comes up during the Royals' upcoming series with the Pirates, so Zerpa appears to have transitioned back into a full-time relief role.

Silseth (head) was released from the hospital Saturday and hasn't been diagnosed with a concussion, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports. "I think we avoided something serious, but with head injuries you always want to be cautious," Angels manager Phil Nevin said of Silseth.

Silseth was sent to the hospital for observation after exiting his start in Saturday's 5-3 win in the fourth inning, when he was hit in the head when teammate Trey Cabbage threw the baseball across the diamond. The right-hander was down on the field for several minutes before walking off under his own power, but he was still sent to the hospital, only to be discharged hours later. While Silseth appears to have avoided any concussion symptoms for the time being and is believed to be dealing with only a headache, he's still not guaranteed to make his next turn through the rotation, which would likely fall next weekend in Oakland.