MLB Player News

Lovelady will start Monday's game against San Francisco, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Miles Mikolas was initially slated to start in Monday's series opener. Instead, the Nationals will have Lovelady start on the mound and toss one or two innings before Mikolas takes over in a bulk-relief role. It's the fifth opening assignment of the season for Lovelady, who has a 3.12 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, four saves (in five chances) and a 23:19 K:BB across 26 innings.

Mikolas will not start Monday against the Giants but will follow opener Richard Lovelady, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Mikolas has followed an opener in each of his last four outings. That trend will continue Monday, with the southpaw Lovelady set to toss one or two innings before handing the keys over to Mikolas. The latter is looking to rebound from his last appearance against the Marlins this past Tuesday, when he allowed six runs on six hits (including three home runs) and two walks while striking out four across six innings. Mikolas has a 6.39 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB across 56.1 innings this season.

Woodford cleared waivers Monday and elected to enter free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Nashville, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodford had given up four runs in two of his last four appearances before being designated for assignment by the Brewers on Friday. Now that he's opted for free agency, the 29-year-old reliever will have the opportunity to catch on with a team in need of right-handed depth out of the bullpen. Woodford produced a 6.94 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB across 23.1 innings this season for Milwaukee.

Eisert will serve as the White Sox's opening pitcher in Tuesday's game against Atlanta, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

The left-handed Eisert will likely work an inning or two before turning the game over to righty Erick Fedde, who will cover the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen. Eisert will go into action Tuesday having been unscored upon in 10 of 11 appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte in mid-May.

The Brewers optioned Yoho to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

The transaction clears room on the 26-man active roster for reliever Joel Kuhnel, whom the Brewers acquired from the Athletics on Saturday in exchange for cash considerations. Milwaukee recalled Yoho on Friday, and the reliever proceeded to make appearances in two games over the weekend, allowing a solo home run and two walks while striking out five batters across three innings. He'll head back to Triple-A, where he has posted a 1.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB across 18 innings.

Hiraldo (shoulder) threw a bullpen session last week, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It was his first time throwing off the mound since he went down with right shoulder inflammation in early April. Hiraldo will need a rehab assignment before being activated, and it's not a given that he'll return to the major-league club once's he's off the IL.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Miles will shift into a bullpen role during the upcoming week, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Miles had been filling out a back-end spot in the Blue Jays' injury-plagued rotation for the past month, making two starts and four bulk-relief appearances while pitching to a 3.57 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB in 22.2 innings. Though the Rule 5 pick acquitted himself well in that capacity, the Blue Jays no longer have room for Miles in their five-man rotation with Dylan Cease (hamstring) and Max Scherzer (forearm) set to return from the 15-day injured list within the next few days.

Kimbrel (wrist) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kimbrel had made only one appearance for the Rays before going down with a right wrist strain at the end of May. It's unclear whether the club will ask him to make any rehab appearances first, but Kimbrel looks to be on track for activation from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Friday.

Helsley (elbow) threw batting practice against live hitters Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Helsley had already completed multiple bullpen sessions over the last two weeks, but his ability to face hitters Monday means that he's checked off another box in the recovery process for his inflamed right elbow, which sent him to the injured list May 1. If Helsley checks out fine following the workout, the Orioles could clear him to head out on a rehab assignment later this week.

The Blue Jays activated Nance (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Nance has been shelved since mid-May with right forearm discomfort but is ready to rejoin the Blue Jays bullpen following one rehab appearance with Triple-A Buffalo. The 35-year-old will operate in a middle-relief role.