MLB Player News

Lambert (elbow) threw a simulated game at Coors Field on Wednesday, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Lambert threw a pair of 20-pitch innings while facing hitters Wednesday, and he's slated to throw another simulated game before the Rockies determine whether he's ready to take another step in his recovery. Manager Bud Black said after Wednesday's throwing session that he still expects the right-hander to pitch in a major-league game this season, but he'll presumably require several rehab appearances before he's cleared to return.

The Angels selected Naughton's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

The southpaw has appeared in 11 games (eight starts) at Triple-A this season, posting a 5.23 ERA and 49:13 K:BB in 51.2 innings. It's unclear whether Naughton will be used as a starter or reliever, but either way, he will be making his major-league debut when he first takes the mound. Chris Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

The Angels optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After working as a reliever in his first 13 big-league appearances, Rodriguez made his first career start Monday against the Rangers, covering six innings and striking out seven while giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks. Rodriguez's demotion appears to be mostly for roster-management purposes rather than a performance-based decision. As Fletcher notes, the Angels have a doubleheader coming up Aug. 10 in Toronto, and Rodriguez would be eligible to rejoin the big club before the minimum 10 days to start one half of the twin bill.

Diplan's contract was selected by the Orioles on Wednesday.

Diplan began the year at Triple-A Norfolk after he was designated for assignment in January, and he recorded a 4.12 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 19.2 innings across 17 relief appearances. He'll serve as a low-leverage reliever for Baltimore and will be in line to make his major-league debut.

The Mets recalled Reed from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

After being claimed off waivers from the Rays on Monday, Reed was initially assigned to the minors, but he didn't have to wait long to receive his first call-up to the Mets. He'll assume the active roster spot of closer Edwin Diaz (personal), who was placed on the paternity list. Diaz is expected to rejoin the Mets within 1-to-3 days, so Reed's stint in the majors will likely be a brief one.

The Mets placed Diaz on the paternity list Wednesday.

Diaz is expected to remain away from the team for 1-to-3 days while he observes the birth of his child. The Mets called up Jake Reed from Triple-A Syracuse to give the team another arm in the bullpen, but Seth Lugo, Trevor May and Jeurys Familia are likelier candidates to receive looks as closer while Diaz is inactive.

The Red Sox reinstated Barnes (illness) from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

Barnes was placed on the IL on Tuesday while he was recovering from an illness, but the Red Sox's decision to deactivate him looks to have been out of an abundance of precaution. He's tested negative for the coronavirus in the 24 hours since landing on the IL and is apparently feeling healthy again, so Barnes should be ready to pitch Wednesday against the Tigers if a save situation is presented. Infielder Jonathan Arauz was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to clear a spot on the active roster for Barnes.

The Astros optioned Abreu to their taxi squad Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to closer Ryan Pressly (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list in a corresponding move. The Astros will conclude their road trip Wednesday with a game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, so expect Abreu to report to Triple-A Sugar Land once the big club begins its homestand Thursday.

The Astros reinstated Pressly (personal) from the paternity list Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston optioned Bryan Abreu to the taxi squad to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Pressly, who left the team Sunday to witness the birth of his child. Though he's been reinstated, Pressly won't be available for Wednesday's series finale with the Dodgers, as the Astros have elected to give him an extra day off to spend with his family. The Astros will play a man short Wednesday before Pressly rejoins the team for Thursday's series opener versus the Twins in Houston.

Jax will make his second turn through the Twins' rotation Thursday in Houston.

After Jose Berrios was traded to the Blue Jays ahead of last week's deadline, Jax was called up from Triple-A St. Paul and made his third start of the season July 30 in St. Louis. The outing was one of the best of Jax's young big-league career, as he limited the Cardinals to one run on two hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision. With Berrios and J.A. Happ now in new locales and few attractive alternatives on hand at Triple-A or in the bullpen, Jax will likely get a long look in the big-league rotation over the final two months of the season.