MLB Player News

Chavez (shin) threw another round of live batting practice Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

That could be the final step before he is cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. Chavez has been out since mid-June because of a microfracture in his left shin, but he looks poised to return to Atlanta's bullpen for the closing weeks of the regular season. He'd registered a 1.55 ERA and 36:9 K:BB in 29 innings prior to the lengthy IL stint.

Yarbrough will pitch for the Dodgers on Sunday against the Nationals, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Yarbrough will either work behind an opener as a bulk reliever or make a traditional start, but regardless, he's slated to handle a good chunk of the innings for Los Angeles. The 31-year-old left-hander has an impressive 2.82 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 19:1 K:BB in 22.1 frames of long relief since being acquired from the Royals at the trade deadline.

Almonte (knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It'll be his first mound session since he went on the injured list Aug. 12 due to a right knee sprain. Almonte still has a lot of hurdles to clear, but he could be a bullpen option for the Dodgers before the end of the 2023 regular season.

Manager Dave Roberts said he's hoping Kelly (forearm/elbow) can return Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kelly is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Friday with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga and will make a couple of appearances before potentially returning to the Dodgers' bullpen. The veteran reliever has been sidelined since Aug. 13 due to elbow and forearm inflammation.

Miami outrighted Hartlieb to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Hartlieb passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment Wednesday. The 29-year-old right-hander holds a 7.17 ERA in 70.1 career major-league innings.

Miami selected De Jesus' contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

De Jesus has posted an underwhelming 4.97 ERA and 58:48 K:BB in 79.2 innings this season at the Triple-A level, but he'll join the Marlins as a fresh bullpen arm. This is the first MLB call-up for the 26-year-old left-hander.

Kelly (forearm/elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Kelly has been on the shelf for nearly a month with inflammation in his right forearm and elbow. The hard-throwing reliever is expected back early next week.

Herget was designated for assignment by the Reds on Friday.

Herget holds a 5.18 ERA and 13:6 K:BB over 24.1 innings during his time in the majors this season. It's the second time this season that the reliever was removed from the Reds' 40-man roster, and he seems likely to clear waivers again and head to Triple-A Louisville.

Cruz was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

Cruz was one of a handful of Reds players to miss time with COVID-19, but he returns having been out for the minimum seven days. He's been an effective reliever for Cincinnati this season, posting a 4.12 ERA and 79:24 K:BB over 54.2 frames, but he has only one win and six holds in 49 appearances.

Jacob (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Jacob has been on the shelf since late July with a minor flexor strain and a minor UCL sprain in his right elbow. While he will be eligible to return later this month, the smart money would seem to be on the Padres holding him out for the remainder of the season.