MLB Player News

Harvey (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Harvey once had a fair amount of prospect pedigree, but a long list of injuries have so far prevented him from establishing himself at the big-league level. The latest, a strained left oblique, shut him down in mid-March and sent him to the 60-day injured list. He'll be eligible to return at the end of the month, which should be right around the time Harvey's ready to go. Save chances can't be ruled out for Harvey, especially given the recent reports that Cesar Valdez could shift to more of a setup role, but we're still talking about a pitcher who has thrown just 15 career major-league innings, so the Orioles will likely be happy with whatever they can get from him.

Valdez is being considered for set-up work, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

This is not a performance-based shift for Valdez, who has gone 8-for-11 in save chances with a 2.65 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB. Instead, it comes down to Baltimore's lack of effective right-handed relievers. Nothing official has been announced for Valdez in regard to his role, but it wouldn't be surprising to see some ninth-inning duties given to southpaw Paul Fry in the near future. Hunter Harvey (oblique) could also become a factor in the closer conversation when he returns.

Baumann (elbow) is moving his rehab assignment to Double-A Bowie, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Baumann has logged five scoreless innings so far, allowing three walks with six strikeouts as he works his way back from a right flexor strain. He'll continue to work his way back at Bowie, building up his pitch count before ultimately slotting into the rotation with Triple-A Norfolk when healthy.

Tapia was traded from the Mariners to the Royals in exchange for cash considerations Saturday.

Tapia was designated for assignment Monday. The 29-year-old's major-league resume to date consists of just seven relief appearances over the last two years. He'll head to Triple-A Omaha for now.

Garcia allowed a hit and struck out one in one scoreless inning in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Dodgers.

Garcia has allowed just one run, three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in five inning since he returned from a groin injury. The southpaw hasn't been very effective in 2021 with a 5.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB, but he's been trending in a better direction since his return. He's notched a hold, but he's also taken a blown save and a loss in nine outings, mainly in a low-leverage role.

Cleveland recalled Nelson from Triple-A Columbus to its major-league roster Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The reliever has pitched two scoreless innings with Cleveland this season and has allowed one earned run in 7.1 innings with Triple-A Columbus. Nelson fills the roster spot of Triston McKenzie, whom the team optioned Saturday.

The Braves optioned Webb to Triple-A Gwinnett after Friday's blowout win over the Pirates.

Webb was clearly rattled after drilling Kevin Pillar in the face Monday and has been unable to settle down, allowing five hits and a walk in 1.1 innings since. The righty has been inconsistent all season out of the bullpen and now yields his roster spot to Bryse Wilson.

The Mariners signed Jerez to a minor-league contract Saturday.

The lefty last pitched in the majors in 2019, when he posted a 4.35 ERA across 10.1 innings between the Giants and the Pirates. It's unclear if and when Jerez makes an appearance on the Mariners roster, but he'll provide some depth in a bullpen that's lacking many left-handed arms.

Kay didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 9-7 extra-innings loss to the Rays, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over four innings while striking out four.

The southpaw got staked to an early lead but wasn't efficient enough to last the requisite five innings for a win even if the Jays had held onto it. Kay tossed 54 of 91 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, and his 6.62 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 17.2 innings mark him as one of the likeliest candidates to lose his rotation spot once Toronto begins promoting pitchers like Alek Manoah.

Cimber (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Marlins fell 6-5 to the Mets in 12 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits over two innings. He struck out one.

It was a worst-case scenario for Miami as the team's bullpen day ended up involving the entire bullpen. Cimber was the 10th pitcher used by the team on the night, and after he held the Mets in check in the 11th, the wheels came off in the top of the 12th. The right-hander remains a low-leverage option for the Marlins, and Cimber has yet to record a hold or save while posting a 3.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB through 22 innings.