MLB Player News

Jansen (irregular heartbeat) will throw to hitters Wednesday and Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

After completing the live batting practice sessions, Jansen plans to meet with his cardiologist Monday and is "optimistic" he'll be cleared to pitch in games again after the follow-up visit. Previous timelines for the right-hander's return had been estimated at four weeks at least, but it looks like the closer is trending toward beating that recovery timetable . A clearer picture regarding a potential return date should come into focus after his checkup early next week.

Howard fired four scoreless innings for Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, walking two while striking out five.

Howard didn't miss a beat in his return to action after exiting his previous starts with an apparent injury. The 25-year-old owns a 5.21 ERA through 17 starts (74.1 innings) with the Isotopes this season.

Axford was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with a fractured right fibula.

Axford has already been ruled out for at least three weeks. Alex Wood, who is slated to start for the Dodgers on Tuesday, was activated from the 10-day disabled list in a corresponding move.

Hudson (forearm) threw a simulated game Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Hudson faced Max Muncy, among others, as general manager Farhan Zaidi and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt looked on. He landed on the disabled list Aug. 7 with forearm tightness, but it seems like his stay could be an abbreviated one given the progress he's already made.

Collins had his contract purchased from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old southpaw compiled a 2.77 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 13 innings (17 appearances) with the Nationals before getting designated for assignment earlier in the year. Collins is expected to take the roster spot of Ryan Madson (back), who was not listed on the lineup card Tuesday.

Gott was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

Gott will provide a fresh bullpen arm for the big club after manager Davey Martinez deployed five relievers during Monday's series-opening loss to the Cardinals. The 25-year-old owns a 4.96 ERA across 16.1 major-league innings this season.

Neris was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

Neris is set to rejoin the Phillies after spending a little more than a month in the minors ironing out some issues after an ugly start to the major-league campaign (6.90 ERA, 1.53 WHIP through 30 innings). The reliever looks to have righted the ship in the minors, posting a 1.62 ERA and 29:6 K:BB across 16.2 innings with the IronPigs before being summoned back to the majors. He'll likely be utilized in lower-leverage situations at first, but the former closer could work his way back to a higher-leverage role if he proves himself early on. J.P. Crawford was optioned to Lehigh Valley in a corresponding roster move.

Kennedy will start for the Padres in Tuesday's game against the Angels.

After he was roughed up for six runs in four innings in his MLB debut Aug. 8, Kennedy's standing in the rotation appeared to be on shaky ground. Though the Padres called up prospect Jacob Nix and handed him a start over the weekend, there will be room for both him and Kennedy in the rotation for the time being with Eric Lauer (forearm) not ready to return from the disabled list and Walker Lockett getting sent back to Triple-A El Paso. Kennedy may need to turn in a better result against the Angels in order to bolster his case for sticking in a starting role with the Padres the rest of the way.

Axford is expected to be out for about three weeks after breaking the tip of his fibula Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Axford remained in the game after being hit in the leg with a comebacker, but subsequent tests revealed a small break. He hasn't yet been placed on the disabled list but the length of his expected absence means that a move will certainly be made in the near future.

Smith fired a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout en route to his ninth save of the season in Monday's 5-2 win over the Dodgers.

Things were looking bleak for the Giants against a dominant Clayton Kershaw, but a ninth-inning rally allowed Smith to pick up his second save in as many days. The 29-year-old has gone 9-for-10 in save chances since taking over as the Giants' closer and carries a sparkling 2.06 ERA and 12.4 K/9 over 39.1 total innings this season.