MLB Player News

Quijada (elbow) threw to hitters in a live bullpen session Tuesday and tossed a live batting practice session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Since taking a pre-planned break from throwing for a week between late May and early June, Quijada has tossed a 25-pitch standard bullpen session along with the pair of sessions against live hitters. He's now nearly 13 months removed from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last season and appears to be doing well in his recovery. If Quijada continues to progress without any setbacks, he could rejoin the Angels bullpen before the All-Star break.

Veneziano was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Veneziano was called up Thursday but will exit the Royals' active roster without appearing in a game. The left-hander's roster spot will be handed to Austin Nola, who'll provide catching depth for Kansas City in the wake of Salvador Perez's (knee) injury.

Martin (personal) will begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

After initially being expected to start his rehab assignment Saturday, Martin will actually get going with Worcester on Sunday. The right-hander has been working his way back from a stretch of heightened anxiety, missing the last month of action.

Martin cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Martin was designated for assignment by Baltimore, and after going unclaimed on waivers, he'll remain at Triple-A. The right-hander has struggled to a 7.45 ERA and 2.61 WHIP over 9.2 innings in eight appearances with Norfolk this season.

The Angels selected Marte's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Marte will join the major-league roster for the first time this season, replacing Adam Cimber (shoulder) in the bullpen after Cimber was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday. Marte has appeared in 19 games with Salt Lake this year, compiling a 2.89 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 19 strikeouts over 18.2 innings. Ehire Adrianza was released in a corresponding move to open a spot for Marte on the 40-man roster.

The Angels placed Cimber on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right shoulder inflammation.

Cimber was touched up for four runs over one-third of an inning in Friday's 8-6 win over the Giants and will now be forced to miss at least 15 days due to the shoulder issue. Right-hander Jose Marte had his contract selected from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday and will replace Cimber in the Angels bullpen.

Joyce will serve as the Angels' opening pitcher for Sunday's matchup with the Giants, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Joyce will make his first career major-league start Sunday as the Angels will try to get two innings out of him before turning the game over to the bullpen. The right-hander has allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two batters over 3.2 innings in four appearances with the Angels this season. After Joyce serves as the opener, Jose Suarez and Carson Fulmer are considered candidates to fill bulk innings out of the bullpen.

Snead cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

Snead was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Tuesday, but he'll now report to Triple-A after going unclaimed on waivers. The left-hander has appeared in 12 contests with Tacoma this season, producing a 2.92 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 12.1 innings.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Saturday that Williams (back) is expected to be cleared to throw off a mound soon, Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic reports.

Murphy also added that Williams remains on track to return just after the All-Star break, although that would seem to be a tentative timetable given that the reliever has yet to resume throwing off a mound. Williams is working his way back from multiple stress fractures in his back. Trevor Megill has operated as the Brewers' primary closer with Williams on the shelf.

The Cubs recalled Thompson from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Thompson will provide a fresh arm for a bullpen that was needed to cover 7.1 innings Friday. He holds a 4.97 ERA and 19:6 K:BB over 12.2 relief innings during his time with the Cubs this season.