MLB Player News

Howard will start Wednesday against the Yankees in what's expected to be a bullpen game for the Phillies, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Howard, who was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier in the day, will be pitching on three days' rest after he covered three innings in his most recent start in the minors. Since he only tossed 51 pitches in that outing, Howard should be able to give the Phillies three or four innings if he's efficient Wednesday, but he'll still face an uphill battle to qualify for a win. Cristopher Sanchez is a candidate to cover multiple innings after Howard exits.

Loaisiga (illness) threw on flat ground Tuesday and will possibly be activated over the weekend, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

The right-hander was placed on the COVID-19 injured list July 10 and didn't clear health and safety protocols until Sunday. He's expected to throw a bullpen Wednesday and will need a second bullpen or live throwing session before potentially returning this weekend for the Yankees' series at Boston. Loaisiga has been one of the team's most valuable bullpen pieces this season, registering a 2.11 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 46:10 K:BB across 47 innings. He has picked up seven wins, 10 holds and two saves.

The Diamondbacks designated Young for assignment Wednesday.

Arizona booted Young from its 40-man roster to make room for reliever Ty Tice, who was claimed off waivers from Atlanta. Young turned in some decent numbers over 15 starts with the Diamondbacks as a rookie in 2019, but he's been ineffective while working out of the rotation or in relief across the past two seasons. Dating back to the start of the 2020 season, Young has posted a 5.83 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 88 innings.

Bukauskas was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Bukauskas earned his second win of the season Tuesday by striking out two in a perfect inning against the Pirates, but he'll now head back to the minors after strong performances in each of his last two innings. Although the right-hander has a 7.98 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in 14.2 innings across 18 appearances in the big leagues this year, he could rejoin Arizona's bullpen at some point if he performs well at Triple-A Reno.

Moll has fired two scoreless innings over his first two appearances with the Athletics since being called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on July 3.

The 29-year-old has given up one hit and two walks over that span without recording any strikeouts, but Moll's second big-league stint has certainly started better than his initial one with Oakland back in 2017, when he pitched to a 10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP across 6.2 innings. Moll is likely to remain in low-leverage scenarios for the time being.

Howard (oblique) recently resumed playing catch, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Howard has been on the 10-day injured list for just over a week due to a right oblique strain. A better timetable for the southpaw's return could be revealed once he's able to resume mound work, but it appears as though he could spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the IL.

Payamps was traded from the Blue Jays to the Royals on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Payamps will land another spot on a 40-man roster after he was designated for assignment by Toronto on Friday. The right-hander has posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 30 innings across 22 relief appearances in the majors this year and could join the Royals' bullpen at some point during the second half of the season, but he'll head to Triple-A Omaha for now.

Chargois recorded his eighth hold in a win over the Rockies on Tuesday, giving up two hits over a scoreless sixth inning.

The right-hander now has five consecutive scoreless appearances, even as he's pitched to some contact by allowing four hits over that five-inning span. Chargois didn't fare well in either of his save chances earlier this season, but he has offered value with his eight holds, 2.30 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 27.1 innings.

Boxberger (shoulder) is expected to be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game against the Royals after he checked out fine following a throwing session Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers have stayed away from Boxberger for their past two games while he's dealt with a stiff right shoulder, but his ability to throw Tuesday without discomfort seemingly clears up any threat of him landing on the injured list. With 12 holds and three saves to go with a 3.03 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 42 appearances this season, Boxberger has become a trusted late-inning arm for manager Craig Counsell.

Low-A Kannapolis reinstated Kelley (elbow) from its 7-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in the first half of a doubleheader versus Fayetteville.

Kelley, one of the White Sox's most highly touted pitching prospects, will make his return to Kannapolis after he was on the shelf for approximately two months with right elbow inflammation. He was cleared to rejoin the Kannapolis rotation after making a pair of rehab starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League over the past week and a half.