MLB Player News

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Saturday that Chavez (shin) is still walking with a slight limp, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Chavez had been gearing up to begin throwing off a mound at last check, but Snitker noted Saturday that the veteran reliever is still probably "weeks away" from returning to full strength. He's been on the shelf since mid-June due to a severe left shin contusion.

Minter (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Minter felt good during and after the workout, and manager Brian Snitker said the lefty could soon head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 29-year-old reliever has been on the injured list since July 15 due to mild left shoulder inflammation.

Tapia was designated for assignment by the Padres on Saturday.

The 31-year-old owns a 3.57 ERA in 17.2 major-league innings this season, but his 14:12 K:BB hardly inspires confidence. He was optioned in early July and will now vacate the 40-man roster as well, clearing space for Jackson Wolf to join ahead of his major-league debut.

Llovera was designated for assignment by the Giants on Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

San Francisco needed to clear out a 26-man roster spot for the return of Luke Jackson (back), and Llovera is out of minor-league options, thus the DFA. The 27-year-old right-hander had allowed just one run in 5.1 innings of relief this season with the Giants.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay announced Saturday that Lovelady (forearm) has been shut down for the remainder of the season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kotsay didn't provide any other information, but Lovelady's weekend visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache apparently didn't yield encouraging news regarding the reliever's recovery from a strained left forearm. The 28-year-old reliever finishes the 2023 campaign with a 4.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB in 23.1 innings.

Smith's contract was selected by the Athletics on Saturday.

Smith owns a 6.75 ERA and 9:6 K:BB in 12 major-league innings this season, and his 7.88 ERA and 18.9 percent walk rate in 24 Triple-A frames doesn't paint an optimistic picture either. He'll presumably be limited to low-leverage situations and may not stick around once Angel Felipe returns from the paternity list.

The Athletics placed Felipe on the paternity list Saturday.

Felipe has allowed one run on two hits in 6.1 innings of relief this season, though his 6:4 K:BB paints a less encouraging picture of his performance. Chad Smith had his contract selected to take Felipe's place on the roster.

Martinez was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Martinez made four appearances during his time in the majors, allowing seven runs in 3.1 innings while walking more batters (five) than he struck out (four). He'll exit the roster to create space for Brandon Pfaadt, who was recalled to start against the Reds.

Jackson (back) was activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Recovered from the lower-back strain that sent him to the injured list June 25, the 31-year-old right-hander will be available out of the Giants' bullpen Saturday in Washington. When healthy this season, Jackson has registered a sharp 2.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 8.1 major-league innings.

Jacob was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation Saturday.

The move was backdated to Friday, so Jacob could return as soon as Aug. 12 if his inflammation has subsided by then. In three appearances during his brief time with the team, Jacob struck out five of the 10 batters he faced while not allowing a run or a hit. Jacob's roster spot will go to Jackson Wolf, whose contract was selected ahead of his big-league debut.