MLB Player News

Helsley (elbow) threw a bullpen session over the weekend, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Helsley threw 15 pitches in his first mound session since landing on the injured list in early July with elbow inflammation. He's slated to throw a few more bullpen sessions within the next couple of weeks before progressing to facing hitters and/or rehab games, but the 32-year-old reliever is still hopeful to pitch for the Orioles again before the season is over.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Tuesday that Suarez (elbow) could begin throwing bullpen sessions soon, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

He will likely need a handful of bullpen sessions, and if those go well the reliever would then be cleared for a rehab assignment. Atlanta remains hopeful of Suarez returning sometime in September, but he can't afford any bumps in the road. Suarez has been sidelined for more than two months with right elbow inflammation.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Garcia (shoulder) threw two bullpen sessions last week at the team's facility in Arizona, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Garcia has had a drawn-out recovery process from left rotator cuff inflammation, as the injury has kept him on the shelf since April 23. After months of little to no progress, Garcia finally seems to have turned a corner and could resume throwing live batting practice at some point this week. The Rangers remain hopeful that Garcia will be able to rejoin the big-league bullpen at some point in September.

The Reds sent Ashcraft (elbow) to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Ashcraft is finally ready to test things out in games after being sidelined since late May with a sprained UCL in his right elbow. Given the length of his layoff, the reliever will likely need a handful of rehab outings before being reinstated.

The Athletics claimed Roycroft off waivers from the Rays on Tuesday.

Roycroft has been bludgeoned for 23 runs with an 18:12 K:BB over 24.2 innings across 18 relief appearances between the Cardinals and Rays this season. The big righty has minor-league options remaining and appears headed to Triple-A Las Vegas for the time being.

The Marlins recalled Fulton from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

In six appearances out of the Marlins' bullpen this season, Fulton has permitted seven runs with a 12:10 K:BB over 14 frames. The big left-hander will provide Miami's relief corps with some length.

The Marlins placed Fairbanks on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right medial nerve irritation.

Fairbanks had to be removed from Monday's appearance versus the Red Sox after just one batter due to the issue. He is scheduled to see a specialist Tuesday, per Christina De Nicola of MLB.com, and more could be known regarding a timeline for the reliever following that visit. While Fairbanks is sidelined, any of Michael Petersen, Calvin Faucher and Josh Ekness could see closing opportunities.

The Yankees selected Topa's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

Topa will get a look with the big club after logging a 1.80 ERA and 2:1 K:BB over five innings during his time with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The righty reliever held an 8.05 ERA and 12:11 K:BB across 19 frames earlier this season with the Twins.

The Blue Jays recalled Dallas from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

It's already Dallas' fifth promotion to the big leagues this season, though each stint has lasted less than a week so far. The right-hander has made three appearances for Toronto and given up seven earned runs with a 6:6 K:BB over 7.2 innings.

The Nationals designated Williams for assignment Tuesday.

The roster move frees up a spot for waiver claim Matt Waldron. Williams has pitched well this season in long relief after returning from internal brace surgery, collecting a 2.65 ERA and 22:6 K:BB over 17 innings. The 34-year-old's $7 million salary will likely prevent him from being claimed off waivers, but he should receive some interest on the open market from a team in need of innings.