MLB Player News

Almonte was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

While the Rockies haven't yet indicated whether Almonte has tested positive for COVID-19, he was one of several Rockies who landed on the injured list Friday. If he hasn't tested positive, the right-hander will be eligible to return as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols.

Payamps was designated for assignment by Toronto on Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Payamps finds himself off the 40-man roster with Ryan Borucki (forearm) being activated from the 60-day IL. The right-hander posted a 2.70 ERA across 30 innings before being optioned to Triple-A on June 30, so he should have a strong chance of attracting interest on the waiver wire.

Borucki (forearm) was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Borucki has been on the injured list with a left forearm flexor strain since mid-May. He made two appearances after beginning a rehab stint with Triple-A Buffalo on July 7, striking out two while allowing one hit across two scoreless innings. He has a 4.05 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB this season for the Jays.

Mears was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Mears was sent down July 5, and he's allowed no hits and a walk while striking out two over 2.2 scoreless innings at Triple-A Indianapolis since. He still hasn't made his 2021 debut for the Pirates but will be available out of the bullpen.

Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Friday's game against the Cardinals, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jackson signed a minor-league deal with San Francisco in March. He'll join the big-league roster after posting an impressive 18:1 K:BB across 11 scoreless innings with Sacramento. The right-hander last pitched in the majors with the Brewers in 2019, when he posted a 4.45 ERA and 47:18 K:BB across 30.1 innings.

Weathers was placed on the 10-day injured list with right ankle inflammation Friday, retroactive to July 13.

Weathers was diagnosed with a small fracture to a bone in the back of his right ankle Thursday, and he'll officially spend time on the injured list as a result. However, the Padres are hoping the southpaw will be able to return from the injured list prior to the end of their current road trip, which lasts until July 25, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The team hasn't yet announced who could take Weathers' place in the rotation while he's sidelined.

Manaea will start Friday's game against Cleveland, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Chris Bassitt was initially slated to pitch the series opener, with Manaea set to toe the rubber Saturday. The A's will instead go with the southpaw Friday followed by Frankie Montas on Saturday. The shuffle is possibly due to Bassitt throwing 24 pitches in Tuesday's All-Star Game, though the club has yet to officially comment on the change. Bassitt could still be in line to start Sunday's series finale.

King (finger) has played catch without discomfort and hopes to be activated during this weekend's series versus Boston, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reports.

King injured his right middle finger while lifting weights July 5 and was subsequently placed on the 10-day injured list. He recently indicated that he is doing better, explaining, "It's good now. It felt good throwing. It was pretty bad the first day. The swelling and pain have gone down considerably. I'll throw two of the three days (during the All-Star break) and probably throw a bullpen Thursday or Friday and see where I am." King has posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 47:21 K:BB across 48.1 innings this season.

Anderson (elbow) felt good after throwing live batting practice in Port Charlotte on Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Anderson recently threw several bullpen sessions without experiencing setbacks, and he didn't have any issues when he progressed to facing live hitters Friday. Manager Kevin Cash didn't reveal what the right-hander's next step in his recovery would be, but he could be on track for a return in early August if he continues to make progress.

Pruitt (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Friday's game against the White Sox, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pruitt missed the entire first half after undergoing elbow surgery last September. He began a rehab assignment in mid-June, and wound up getting seven appearances under his belt in total without suffering any setbacks. He'll join the Astros' bullpen Friday, and when he's entered into a game, he'll be making his first big-league appearance since 2019 with the Rays.