MLB Player News

Halvorsen (shoulder) threw live batting practice Thursday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Halvorsen is on the mend from shoulder inflammation that sent him to the injured list July 4. He's started to make significant progress after receiving a cortisone injection, and the Rockies are optimistic that he'll be able to begin a rehab assignment in the near future. A more definitive timeline for his return to Colorado's bullpen will likely emerge once he begins pitching in minor-league games.

Smith (shoulder) will start a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland on Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Smith has been shelved by right shoulder inflammation since May 22 and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in late June. He's progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment and could be back in the majors by late July or early August. Prior to his injury, Smith posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.47 wHIP across 17 innings.

Allen will start in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Allen will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to serve as the Guardians' 27th man Saturday, with the left-hander starting in Game 2 while Gavin Williams starts in Game 1. It'll be the second major-league outing of the season for Allen, with his first taking place May 25 against the Nationals, when he allowed two unearned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across four innings. He's started in 16 games in Triple-A, where he has a 4-3 record and a 4.39 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 95:31 K:BB across 80 innings.

The Cardinals selected Blewett's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Blewett exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Cards earlier in the week, though St. Louis still held the right to decide whether to add him to their 40-man roster or allow him to walk in free agency. With JoJo Romero (appendicitis) now on the injured list, the team will opt for the former and give Blewett a chance to work with the big club. The 30-year-old righty has put up a 5.18 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 48.2 innings at Triple-A this season, so he will likely be limited to low-leverage work in the majors.

The Cardinals placed Romero on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Tuesday, due to appendicitis.

Romero has been one of the most reliable members of St. Louis' bullpen as of late, allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out nine batters and walking four across his last 10 innings, but he'll now have to wait until at least July 29 to make his first appearance of the second half. Scott Blewett will come up from Triple-A Memphis to fill the vacancy in the bullpen.

Gamboa recorded his first career big-league save in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays, allowing two hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

Called back up from Triple-A Worcester as the 27th man for the twin bill, Gamboa took the mound with a 9-0 lead and completed a combined shutout begun by Jake Bennett. Gamboa has been effective in his opportunities for the Red Sox this season, posting a 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 5:4 K:BB in eight innings over five appearances since making his MLB debut on May 5, but after throwing 43 pitches (33 strikes) he'll likely head back to Triple-A in favor of a fresh bullpen arm after the doubleheader.

Hall (pectoral) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hall reached up to 95-to-96 mph with his fastball in the session and threw all of his pitches. The left-hander could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Sunday and believes he will be ready to rejoin the Milwaukee bullpen after making 2-to-3 rehab appearances in the minors. Hall has been shelved since early June with a left pectoral strain.

The Astros activated Teng (knee) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Teng had originally been optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land in late June, but the transaction was changed to a placement on the 15-day IL with a right knee sprain. Teng will rejoin Houston's bullpen after making 10 starts for the team. He has a 4.36 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 63:28 K:BB across 64 innings spanning 23 appearances this season.

Suarez (elbow) played catch on the field at Truist Park on Friday, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.

Suarez landed on the 15-day injured list nearly one month ago due to right elbow inflammation. He will need to complete mound work and throw to hitters before perhaps going out on a rehab assignment prior to his activation. A clearer picture regarding a return timeline for the setup man should become available as he continues his throwing progression.

The Brewers optioned Koenig to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

He's being dispatched to the minors in order to clear a spot on the active roster for Lance McCullers. Koenig was roughed up for five runs without recording an out in his final appearance before the All-Star break Sunday versus the Pirates.