MLB Player News

Chapman (0-3) took the loss against Boston on Sunday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks while striking out two over one inning.

Chapman came on in the sixth inning with the game tied 6-6, and he allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base on a single and two walks. The veteran reliever bounced back to retire the next three hitters -- including two by strikeout -- but a Jeter Downs sacrifice fly allowed the go-ahead run to cross the plate, and New York was unable to score again in the contest. Chapman has allowed three runs and has walked five batters over three innings since returning from the IL on July 1. It seems unlikely that he'll regain the closer role until he gets back on track.

Bickford (1-1) was credited with the win against the Cubs on Sunday despite giving up three runs on two hits and two walks over one inning. He struck out three batters.

Dodgers starter Julio Urias was shelled in the first inning and removed after the second, and Bickford came in to pitch the third. The right-hander struck out three batters in the frame but also surrendered a three-run homer to David Bote. That long ball put the Dodgers behind 8-3, but Los Angeles stormed back with six runs in the bottom of the frame and held onto the lead for the remainder of the contest to grant Bickford the improbable win. The rough outing came on the heels of one of Bickford's strongest stretches of the campaign -- over his previous six appearances, he had allowed only one run on two hits while posting a 7:0 K:BB and picking up three holds.

Anderson (elbow) is on track to throw in a Florida Complex League game later this month, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It has taken awhile for Anderson to recover from the elbow procedure he underwent last October, but he has seemingly made good progress of late. He's scheduled to face live hitters Tuesday, and if all goes well in the next two weeks, the Rays are hoping he will pitch in a FCL game July 26.

Jansen (chest) threw a bullpen Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Jansen expected to be activated from the injured list Tuesday, but he'll presumably need to wait at least one more day before he rejoins Atlanta's bullpen. Although he's unlikely to return Tuesday, he's made strong progress in his recovery recently and should be back in action in the coming days.

Knehr was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Knehr spent nearly a month in the minors and posted a 6.14 ERA and 2.32 WHIP in 7.1 innings over seven appearances during his stint with the Triple-A club. The right-hander should serve as a middle reliever for the Padres after Dinelson Lamet was sent down Monday.

Lamet was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Lamet was called up by San Diego on Saturday, but he'll head back to the minors after he gave up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four in 2.1 innings against the Giants on Sunday. Right-hander Reiss Knehr was recalled Monday to take Lamet's place in the major-league bullpen.

The Cardinals granted Wittgren his release Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

St. Louis designated Wittgren for assignment July 2 before the veteran reliever cleared waivers a few days later. Rather than having him report to Triple-A Memphis, the Cardinals and Wittgren decided it was in their best interest to part ways. The 31-year-old righty will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal with his next organization after turning in a 5.90 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 29 innings out of the St. Louis bullpen prior to being cast off the 40-man roster.

Fleming is expected to work as the Rays' primary pitcher out of the bullpen behind opener Matt Wisler in Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Though he won't be awarded the starting nod, Fleming will essentially be taking Jeffrey Springs' spot in the rotation after Springs was moved to the 15-day injured list Sunday with lower right leg tightness. Over 23.1 innings with the big club this season, Fleming has posted a 6.17 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB.

Swanson (personal) was reinstated from the paternity list Monday.

Swanson was away from the team for a few days following the birth of his daughter, but he'll rejoin the Mariners after spending just two days on the paternity list. Jacob Barnes was designated for assignment by Seattle to make room on the active roster.

The Cardinals optioned Thompson to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Thompson had started to hit his stride in a relief role for the Cardinals, as he struck out nine and turned in a 0.64 WHIP while tossing 11 scoreless innings across his last eight appearances. The demotion to the minors thus shouldn't be viewed as performance-related, with manager Oliver Marmol telling Katie Woo of The Athletic that the assignment to Memphis will allow Thompson to get stretched back out as a starter or as a multi-inning reliever, depending on the Cardinals' needs coming out of the All-Star break.