MLB Player News

Chavez (shin) said Monday that he threw a live batting practice session without any discomfort, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 40-year-old right-hander has been on the shelf since mid-June with what was initially diagnosed as a left shin contusion, but after he underwent an MRI once the swelling on his leg subsided, he was revealed to have suffered a microfracture. The updated diagnosis explains why Chavez has been on the mend for nearly two months, but he appears to be nearly healed up from the microfracture. Chavez said he'll first need to prove that he can run at full speed and field his position without issue before getting the green light to head out on a rehab assignment, possibly within the next week or two.

The Phillies optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Ortiz will cede his spot in the Phillies bullpen to lefty Jose Alvarado (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. After being called up from Lehigh Valley on Aug. 13, Ortiz made two appearances in relief and scattered three hits and no walks over two scoreless innings.

The Phillies reinstated Alvarado (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Alvarado should slide into a late-inning role for the Phillies while he rejoins the club for the first time since the All-Star break, though he likely won't factor into the equation for saves with Craig Kimbrel having seemingly solidified himself as the team's clear top closing option at this stage. Prior to being activated, the southpaw looked sharp over his two rehab appearances at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, tossing a pair of scoreless innings while striking out three and allowing two baserunners.

The Cardinals optioned Zuniga to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He'll head back to the minors to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for left-hander Drew Rom, who was called up from Memphis ahead of his first MLB start Monday in Pittsburgh. Zuniga was up with the Cardinals for just two days during his latest stint in the big leagues, striking out two and giving up one run over one inning in his lone relief appearance.

Mantiply is scheduled to work as the Diamondbacks' opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Rangers, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Mantiply hasn't tossed more than three innings in any of his 31 appearances in the majors or minors this season and hasn't exceeded two innings in more than two months, so he's unlikely to work more than once through the Texas batting order before exiting the contest. Slade Cecconi, who had initially been listed as Arizona's scheduled starter for Monday, will most likely work in bulk relief behind Mantiply.

The Marlins optioned Hartlieb to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

Hartlieb served as the Marlins' 27th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Dodgers but didn't make an appearance. He'll head back to Jacksonville and hope to earn another look later on this season.

Hudson (5-0) got the win Sunday over the Mets after allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5.1 innings.

Hudson surrendered a run in the third and then was punished by a Pete Alonso long ball in the fourth to put the Mets up 2-1. He wound up departing the game in line for the win after the Cardinals went up 3-2 in the fifth. Hudson tied a season-high with seven strikeouts and it was his fourth consecutive start allowing three or fewer earned runs. The one knock on Hudson is he's allowed at least one home run in each of his last four starts but has otherwise been the Cardinals' most consistent pitcher. He now owns a 3.95 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 32:14 K:BB in 43.1 innings (five starts) and will look to pick up his fifth consecutive win in a weekend road matchup with the Phillies.

Weathers is listed as the Marlins' probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Weathers was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in early August after making his Marlins debut as a reliever, giving up six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five in 3.2 innings against the Rangers. However, he looks likely to rejoin the major-league club Monday to serve as the starting pitcher against his former team. Whether he makes any starts beyond Monday will likely depend on how he fares against the Friars.

Beck allowed two hits and struck out three without walking a batter over three scoreless innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Sunday.

Beck ultimately functioned as the bulk reliever following shorter appearances from Jakob Junis and Alex Wood over the first three innings. Over six outings in August, Beck has allowed eight runs, 16 hits and three walks while striking out 13 over 14.1 innings. He'll continue to be in the mix for multi-inning assignments out of the bullpen, but it seems unlikely he'll start often down the stretch. Beck has a 3.39 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB through 66.1 innings over 27 outings this year.

Junis allowed two unearned runs on two hits and struck out one without walking a batter over 1.2 innings Sunday versus Atlanta. He did not factor in the decision.

Junis was responsible for Orlando Arcia's second-inning two-run home run, but Wilmer Flores quickly got Junis off the hook in the third. This was a 43-pitch outing for the right-hander, which came after he threw 62 pitches Tuesday. While he's been in the mix to serve as an opener or bulk reliever, Junis is unlikely to work deep enough into games to get wins when he's starting. He's at a 4.00 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 82:18 K:BB through 69.2 innings over 33 appearances (three starts) this year.