MLB Player News

Norris (finger) was able to play catch off flat ground Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Norris has started up his throwing program after landing on the 15-day injured list just under a week ago with a left index finger strain. He doesn't look like he'll be in store for a long-term absence, though the Cubs may not have much urgency to rush him back. The lefty has been handling a low-leverage role out of the bullpen all season and has submitted a 7.24 ERA over his 24 appearances.

Hoffman (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

Hoffman landed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday, but his quick return likely means that he didn't test positive for the virus. He should be available out of the bullpen Wednesday against the Cubs after right-hander Jared Solomon was sent down.

Matzek (shoulder) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Matzek began his rehab stint at Single-A Augusta on Monday but didn't make any appearances, and he'll progress to the Triple-A level several days later. While the southpaw seems to be closing in on a return, it's not yet clear which day he'll be able to rejoin the major-league club.

Saucedo (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Saucedo has been on the injured list since April 30, and Wednesday's move is simply procedural to make room on the 40-man roster for Sergio Romo, who signed a one-year contract with the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Saucedo has been on a minor-league rehab assignment since mid-June and seems to be closing in on a return.

Herget has been shut down from throwing after continuing to feel discomfort in his injured right shoulder, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Herget was placed on the injured list June 22 with a right shoulder impingement. The original expectation was that his injury wouldn't be long term, but it now appears likely that the right-hander won't be activated when first eligible July 7 given the setback. Herget posted a 3.72 ERA and 0.99 WHIP while collecting one save and two holds across 25 appearances before being sidelined.

McArthur was recalled and placed on the 60-day injured list with a right elbow stress reaction Wednesday.

McArthur was working as a starter at Double-A Reading to begin the season, and he posted a 5.05 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 57 innings over 13 starts. However, he'll be forced to miss at least two months due to his elbow injury. It's not yet clear when the right-hander is expected to return, but he should head back to the minors once he's considered healthy.

Ortega (1-3) was tagged with the loss against the White Sox on Tuesday as a result of giving up two runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one batter.

Ortega's control of the zone was fine, as he threw 15 of 19 pitches for strikes. However, the right-hander was too hittable, giving up a trio of base knocks including a two-run homer off the bat of Luis Robert. Long balls have been a problem for Ortega of late -- he's given up four over his past 6.2 innings after yielding just one homer across his first 24 frames of the campaign.

Oakland team trainer Nick Paparesta said Wednesday that Jimenez (shoulder) could resume throwing as soon as next week, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Though an MRI on Jimenez's strained right shoulder revealed no structural damage, he hasn't been cleared to resume baseball activities since landing on the injured list June 21. The right-hander is expected to take part in plyometric work later this week, and if the shoulder responds well to the activity, he could be cleared to start playing catch off flat ground. Even so, Jimenez looks as though he'll require more than the minimum 15 days to make it back from the IL, giving other relievers on the Oakland roster a chance to close games. Lou Trivino has been manager Mark Kotsay's preferred option thus far, with the 30-year-old having notched saves in back-to-back appearances Saturday and Sunday.

Junis (hamstring) is expected to throw two or three more bullpen sessions before he's cleared to face hitters in live batting practice, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Junis felt fine after throwing approximately 20 pitches Tuesday at about 75-to-80 percent effort in what marked his first side session since landing on the 15-day injured list June 11. He's scheduled to throw off a mound again Friday, and if that schedule holds, he'll then throw a third bullpen session Monday. Junis could thus be ready to face hitters by next weekend before potentially embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment during the second week of July. That timeline could make it difficult for Junis to make it back before the All-Star break, though his absence is less of an issue with fellow starting pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Cobb having returned from the IL earlier this month.

Cuas struck out one in a perfect inning during Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Rangers.

Cuas has seen more high-leverage work in the last couple of weeks, picking up his lone win and all three of his holds in his last six appearances. The right-hander has brought some stability to a volatile Royals bullpen, though he's mostly still a mid-leverage option. Through 12 innings overall, he has a 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB.