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.

Martinez was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Martinez was optioned to the Triple-A level after being tagged for seven earned runs in his last appearance with the Astros, but he earned his way back to the big leagues by blanking the opponent in six the seven minor-league games he appeared in since the start of August.

The White Sox optioned Cronin to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Cronin will head back to the minors to clear room on the 26-man active roster for designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (groin), who was reinstated from the paternity list. After garnering his first big-league call-up July 28, Cronin proceeded to make five appearances out of the White Sox bullpen, logging a 7.71 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over seven innings.

McCaughan was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

McCaughan had a trio of stints with the Mariners earlier in the year, and he will get another one before August comes to a close. He was not up for long in any of the three previous instances, and that could be the case again this time around with fellow pitcher Bryan Woo (forearm) on the verge of a return.

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.

McCaughan is headed to Chicago to join the Mariners and could be recalled prior to the team's series opener Monday versus the White Sox, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Devin Sweet is also travelling with McCaughan from Tacoma to Chicago and one of them is expected to take the roster spot vacated by Emerson Hancock (shoulder). Seattle might opt to add both pitchers to the bullpen after they needed seven innings of relief Sunday in Houston following Hancock's injury.

Sweet has joined the Mariners in Chicago and could be recalled prior to the start of their series versus the White Sox, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The Mariners' bullpen is in need of reinforcements after Emerson Hancock lasted just two innings Sunday in Houston before exiting with a shoulder injury. Darren McCaughan has also joined the M's in Chicago and at least one of he or Sweet will be added to the roster as Hancock's replacement.