MLB Player News

The Athletics optioned Johnson to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

With Jeffrey Springs back from the 15-day injured list, Johnson is losing his spot on the 26-man roster. Acquired from the Phillies in exchange for Colby Thomas two weeks ago at the trade deadline, Johnson surrendered seven runs on 10 hits and three walks with six strikeouts across 4.2 innings out of the bullpen for the Athletics.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Hollowell (shoulder) has resumed a throwing program, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Counsell didn't offer any specifics regarding where Hollowell stands in his progression, but the skipper noted that the right-hander ended up being shut down from throwing a little longer than anticipated after hitting the shelf July 31 due to shoulder inflammation. Deployed mostly in lower-leverage spots during his time with the Cubs this season, Hollowell has collected one save and one hold while pitching to a 2.51 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 14.1 innings out of the bullpen.

Brown (neck) is slated to throw against live hitters Friday at the Cubs' facility in Arizona, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Facing hitters will represent the final box for Brown to check in his recovery from a stress reaction in his neck before heading out on a rehab assignment. Prior to landing on the injured list June 24, Brown had excelled after transitioning from the bullpen to a starting role in early May, but it's unclear if the Cubs will have room for him in the rotation once he's ready to return from the shelf. Though Edward Cabrera (finger) landed back on the IL on Monday and is slated to serve as a reliever when he eventually returns, the Cubs still have Javier Assad, Colin Rea and David Peterson on hand as viable options to fill the vacancy in the rotation.

The Rays optioned Scholtens to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Scholtens allowed two runs over a four-inning relief outing in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays. Since he would have been unavailable to pitch for a few days, the Rays are replacing Scholtens on the roster with a fresh reliever in Chris Roycroft.

The Rays recalled Roycroft from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Roycroft has been bludgeoned for 14 runs over 17.1 frames out of the Rays' bullpen this season. He will give the Rays a fresh bullpen arm after the team's relievers covered 5.1 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Palencia (elbow) will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list ahead of Friday's game in Seattle, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs have deemed Palencia fit to rejoin the big club after he capped his five-appearance minor-league rehab assignment on a high note Sunday, when he gave up one hit and struck out three of the four batters he faced for Triple-A Iowa. Palencia had been serving as the Cubs' primary closer prior to landing on the shelf June 16 due to a right elbow flexor strain, but it's unclear if he'll immediately reclaim those duties upon his return. Jacob Webb has been lights out at the back of the Chicago bullpen, converting seven consecutive save chances while permitting no runs over his last 23 appearances.

Way (back) allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday.

Way returned to game action as he rehabs from low-back spasms and tightness, though his first rehab outing wasn't particularly sharp. He threw 16 of 24 pitches for strikes and uncorked a wild pitch. In 19 big-league appearances this season, Way has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Harvey's (triceps/shoulder) rehab hasn't come along as hoped, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Harvey has been out nearly all season, first due to right triceps inflammation and then because of a stress reaction in his triceps/shoulder area. The reliever has been throwing off a mound this month, but he doesn't look close to facing hitters or going out on a rehab assignment.

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

McDermott has allowed two runs with a 3:2 K:BB over 3.1 innings during his time with the Mets this season. He will give interim manager Andy Green a fresh arm in the bullpen.

The Mets optioned Weisenburger to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Though he allowed one run over 1.1 innings in Tuesday's loss to the Padres, Weisenburger's first big-league stint went well, as he logged a 2.08 ERA and 4:2 K:BB over 4.1 frames. Chayce McDermott will grab Weisenburger's spot on the active roster.