MLB Player News

Alvarado (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday if Monday's flat-ground session goes well, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He'll need an addition bullpen session after that before progressing to facing hitters and eventually going out on a rehab assignment. It's not clear at this point how many rehab appearances Alvarado might require. He's trending in the right direction, but the fireballing reliever still has a ways to go.

Mushinski was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Astros on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Mushinski has been out all season with a back issue but is ready to roll now. The left-hander will provide manager Dusty Baker with another fresh bullpen arm.

Gage was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land by the Astros on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Gage allowed two runs over four relief innings during his time with the big club. He's clearing out to make room for Parker Mushinski's return.

Hendricks (illness) looked "really good" in a live batting practice session Monday and is "getting really close" to returning, White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday.

"The velocity was really high," Grifol said. "His slider was really, really good. He's trending in the right direction. He's getting really close." Hendriks is expected to throw another live batting practice session Thursday before being re-evaluated. If things go as well that day as they did Monday, he seems likely to be activated this weekend.

Criswell is expected to serve as a bulk reliever Friday versus the Dodgers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Criswell didn't pitch all that well as a bulk reliever Sunday against the Brewers, but he'll stick around and be used again later this week. He will then likely be sent down when Tyler Glasnow (oblique) makes his season debut Saturday.

Varland cleared waivers and has been returned to the Dodgers.

The Rule 5 pick was designated for assignment by the Brewers following a hideous performance last week and now is back in his previous organization. Varland was previously used as both a starter and reliever during his time with the Dodgers and it's unclear what role they might stick him in now, but he'll likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Miller was recalled from Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers on Monday.

Miller has been sharp in his chances with the big club this season, allowing one run over 4.2 innings. He figures to slide into a middle relief role.

May (personal) logged two rehab appearances for Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday and Saturday, allowing an earned run on a solo home run while also issuing a walk and recording a strikeout over 1.2 innings.

It was May's second and third rehab outing for the Aviators since resuming his rehab assignment Tuesday. The veteran reliever is looking to work back into a rhythm and regain confidence after anxiety-related issues landed him on the injured list April 19. While the recent frequency of appearances is encouraging, there's still no firm timetable on May's potential activation.

Herrin was optioned back to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Herrin will return to Triple-A after he was called up Friday, failing to appear in a game while with the Guardians. The left-hander has produced a 4.70 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over 7.2 innings in seven appearances with Columbus this season.

Hendriks (illness) threw a simulated game at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Monday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The White Sox have been vague about a potential timetable for Hendriks' activation, but the fact that he's travelled with them on their road trip would seem to bode well for his chances to return soon. Hendriks posted a 10.80 ERA in six rehab appearances while struggling with his velocity, so it's possible he'll be used in low-leverage situations initially when he is activated.