MLB Player News

The Giants placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left hamstring strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Alexander was pulled from Sunday's game against the Dodgers with discomfort in his left hamstring -- an issue that has bothered him quite a bit recently. The 33-year-old lefty will now be sidelined for at least 15 days while Sean Hjelle returns from Triple-A Sacramento to take Alexander's spot in the bullpen.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Monday that he's hopeful Hendriks (elbow) can resume a throwing program within the next week or so, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Hendriks has been given both a cortisone shot and a platelet-rich plasma injection in hopes that they will help speed along the healing process as he works his way back from right elbow inflammation. He'll need to go through a throwing progression and is presumably still multiple weeks away from a return.

Herget was designated for assignment Monday.

The Reds needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Joey Votto's return from the 60-day injured list. Herget, 32, holds a career 6.21 ERA over 16 relief appearances at the big-league level.

Pop (hamstring) restarted a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pop had to be pulled off his initial rehab assignment earlier this month following a setback with his right hamstring, but he returned to game action over the weekend and is slated for another appearance with Buffalo on Wednesday. The reliever might be ready for activation after that if he can avoid another setback.

The Pirates designated Villalobos for assignment Monday.

Villalobos will cede his spot on the 40-man roster to catcher/outfielder Henry Davis, whom the Pirates called up from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. After being claimed off waivers from the Marlins in April, Villalobos pitched exclusively with Indianapolis, generating a 4.15 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 16 relief appearances.

Barnes (hip) has resumed playing catch, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Barnes has been out nearly all month with a left hip impingement but is slowly easing back into a throwing program. He'll likely need a rehab appearance or two before returning from the 15-day injured list.

Padilla was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Padilla was knocked around in his lone appearance in the majors last month. He'll provide the White Sox with a fresh arm as they have a bullpen game Monday.

The Blue Jays optioned Francis to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

Toronto will swap Francis out of its bullpen for a fresher arm in Trent Thornton, who was called up from Buffalo in a corresponding move. Francis had most recently covered 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen Saturday against the Rangers, striking out two while allowing four baserunners. As he returns to the minors, Francis will likely get stretched back out for starting duty.

The Blue Jays recalled Thornton from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

He'll join the big club for the first time this season after he had previously been optioned to Triple-A late in spring training. Over 23.2 innings out of the Buffalo bullpen, Thornton pitched to a 3.04 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 22:14 K:BB. He'll presumably be limited to lower-leverage spots in relief while he's up with the big club.

The Mets selected Hartwig's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Hartwig has collected a 4.21 ERA and 35:15 K:BB over 25.2 innings this season at Syracuse. The 25-year-old will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game. Hartwig is taking the roster spot vacated by John Curtiss.