MLB Player News

Law elected free agency Sunday after clearing waivers.

After evaluating his options upon clearing waivers, Law determined he was better off exploring the open market than accepting an outright assignment to the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate in Toledo. Before being booted off the 40-man roster Thursday, Law made two appearances out of the big-league bullpen and was charged with five runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk over two innings.

Almonte was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right elbow tightness.

It's unclear when exactly Almonte picked up the injury, as he hasn't pitched since firing a scoreless frame Aug. 3 against San Francisco. The 28-year-old has a 1.15 ERA with one save and seven holds across 31.1 innings this season, and Chris Martin could move into a higher-leverage role with Almonte and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) on the IL.

Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Jackson was up in the majors for a few days in late April but didn't see game action, and he'll rejoin the big-league league club Sunday. The 26-year-old has started in all 16 of his outings at Triple-A this year and has a 5.20 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 59:48 K:BB across 55.1 innings. Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, manager Dave Roberts suggested that Jackson is a candidate to start Wednesday's home game against the Twins. However, he could work as a multi-inning relief option if the Dodgers turn to a different starter for Wednesday's matchup.

The Twins announced Pagan was removed from his relief appearance in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays due to a right lat cramp, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. He retired two batters and allowed a base hit before exiting in the sixth inning.

Anything lat-related is usually worrisome for a pitcher, but assuming Pagan is in fact dealing with nothing more serious than a cramp, he should be able to avoid a stint on the injured list. The Twins are labeling Pagan as day-to-day for the time being and should have an update on the right-hander's status in advance of Tuesday's series opener in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

Pomeranz (elbow) struck out two batters in a scoreless inning Friday in the first game of his rehab assignment for the Padres' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

This was the first rehab appearance for Pomeranz since he underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow last August. He's been working his way back slowly but appears to have taken a significant step toward returning to the big club. Pomeranz figures to need multiple more rehab outings to get his arm back in game shape, but he could join the Padres at some point in the coming weeks.

Kahnle (forearm) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

According to Vassegh, this was Kahnle's third bullpen session since he landed on the injured list in mid-May. The veteran reliever underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2020 and has pitched in only four games since, so Los Angeles is likely to bring him along slowly. Kahnle isn't expected to return to the big club until early September.

Mayers struck out four over 3.1 scoreless innings of long relief Saturday in the Angels' 2-1 loss to the Mariners in the first game of a doubleheader. He scattered one hit and two walks in the 69-pitch outing.

Mayers, who had converted to a starting role at Triple-A Salt Lake in late June, was summoned from the minors in advance of the twin bill. He ended up serving as a piggyback starter behind Jaime Barria, who was charged with the loss after surrendering two earned runs on three hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. With the Angels optioning Janson Junk to Triple-A on Saturday, Los Angeles will have a permanent opening in its six-man rotation this week. If neither is needed in long relief during the Angels' upcoming three-game series in Oakland, another Barria/Mayers tandem start could be on tap next weekend versus the Twins.

The Angels returned Ortega to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

Ortega's stay with the big club lasted just one day after he was designated as the Angels' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Mariners. He appeared in relief in the Angels' 7-1 win in the second half of the twin bill, striking out two over a scoreless inning.

The Athletics recalled Martinez from Triple-A Las Vegas in advance of his scheduled start Sunday against the Giants in Oakland.

Oakland sent first baseman/designated hitter Dermis Garcia to Triple-A to clear a spot on the active roster for Martinez, who will temporarily settle in as the Athletics' No. 5 starter in the wake of Frankie Montas being dealt to the Yankees ahead of the trade deadline. Considering Martinez turned in a 6.52 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over four starts with the Athletics earlier this season and because his numbers at Triple-A over a larger sample aren't much better (5.54 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 16 starts), he'll likely need a respectable showing against San Francisco to ensure he sticks in the big-league rotation beyond Sunday. The Athletics have three other starting pitchers (Zach Logue, Jared Koenig and JP Sears) on the 40-man roster waiting in the wings at Triple-A to replace Martinez if he can't get the job done.

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

Thornton will fortify the Toronto bullpen after the Blue Jays placed left-hander Tim Mayza (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Over his 27 relief appearances with the big club this season spanning 38 innings, Thornton has compiled a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB.