MLB Player News

Alzolay is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Brewers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs will be in need of a fifth starter over the weekend, and manager David Ross revealed Wednesday that Alzolay will be recalled to start at home against Milwaukee on Saturday. Alzolay should be fully rested after he pitched at the Cubs' alternate training site Sunday. The right-hander made two starts for Chicago to begin the season and posted a 6.10 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 20.1 innings.

Ramirez was optioned to the Padres' alternate training site Wednesday.

Ramirez's contract was selected by the Padres on Saturday, and he made two relief appearances for San Diego. During that time, he allowed two hits while striking out two in three scoreless innings. However, Ramirez will now return to alternate camp to make room on the major-league roster for Dinelson Lamet (elbow), who was reinstated from the injured list Wednesday.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Fulmer will pitch only 2-to-3 innings in his start during the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Pirates before Tarik Skubal follows the right-hander in long relief, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Fulmer had been expected to make a more traditional start Tuesday, but that plan was thwarted after inclement weather in Detroit resulted in a postponement. Beginning Wednesday, the Tigers will begin a stretch of six games in five games, but Hinch apparently isn't planning on adding a sixth starter to the mix. Instead, the skipper is hopeful that with an abbreviated outing Wednesday, Fulmer will be ready to start on three days' rest in Sunday's series finale versus the Royals.

Lamet (elbow) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's start against the Brewers.

Lamet had been sidelined since September due to a strained UCL, but he'll be in line to make his season debut on normal rest Wednesday after he threw a 75-pitch simulated game Thursday. The right-hander will join San Diego's rotation after he posted a 2.09 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 93:20 K:BB in 69 innings across 12 starts in 2020.

Stiever and the White Sox won't face Cleveland on Wednesday after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Northeast Ohio, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Chicago didn't announce a starter for Wednesday's game prior to the postponement, but Stiever was believed to be a candidate to either start or work as a bulk reliever after he was recalled from the alternate site. In light of the postponement coupled with a team off day Thursday, the White Sox likely won't require Stiever or another pitcher to make a spot start for Lance Lynn (back), who is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list when his next turn in the rotation comes up.

Hernandez (biceps) will throw a bullpen session next week, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Hernandez has been ramping up his throwing program recently, and a bullpen session would mark a big step in his rehab process. The Marlins haven't yet established a timetable for Sanchez's return, but a better idea of his status could come into focus after his bullpen.

Padres manager Jayce Tingler said that Morejon (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Reports surfaced earlier Tuesday that Morejon was recommended to undergo the procedure after getting a second opinion on his left forearm/elbow strain, and he apparently wasted no time going under the knife. Morejon will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2021 season, and likely, a sizable portion of the 2022 campaign while he recovers from surgery. The Padres plan to activate Dinelson Lamet (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday to fill Morejon's spot in the rotation.

Weems was optioned to the Athletics' alternate training site Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Weems spent two weeks with the major-league club and made three relief appearances for the Athletics. During that time, he allowed one run on a hit and one walk while striking out three in 2.1 innings. Reymin Guduan will remain in the bullpen after he was activated from the injured list as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader.

Smith (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith has been on the 10-day injured list since the start of the regular season but seems to be trending toward a return. The right-hander made eight relief appearances for the Mets last year and posted a 6.43 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in seven innings.

The Phillies recalled Howard from their alternate training site Wednesday.

Philadelphia currently has an opening in the rotation with Matt Moore on the COVID-19 injured list, but Howard, the organization's top pitching prospect, will likely work in long relief while he's up with the big club. Vince Velasquez will be called upon to make a spot start in place of Moore on Friday in Colorado, and Howard could be an option to eat innings behind Velasquez if he isn't needed out of the bullpen in Wednesday's series finale against the Giants.