MLB Player News

Pittsburgh reinstated Sisk (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Sisk was on the shelf for about a month due to left elbow inflammation before getting the green light to rejoin the Pirates after making two rehab appearances at Triple-A Indianapolis last weekend. The Pirates optioned right-hander Wilber Dotel to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Sisk, who owns a 2.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB over 36.1 innings with Pittsburgh this season.

The Cubs optioned Kelly to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

Kelly will give up his spot on the 26-man active roster to right-hander Kevin Gausman, who has joined the Cubs after being acquired from the Blue Jays on Sunday. During his brief stay in the big leagues, Kelly tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in his lone relief appearance.

Baltimore optioned Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Nunez will head back to Norfolk after spending over a month with the big-league club. The 25-year-old had allowed just two runs in 8.2 innings over his last seven appearances, but he issued eight walks during that stretch. Nunez will cede his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Alex Hoppe, who was acquired from the Mariners on Monday.

The Blue Jays recalled Lee from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Lee will make his way to the majors with the club in need of some relief help out of the bullpen. With Buffalo, the 27-year-old has posted a 2.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 40:18 K:BB over 45 innings this season. Toronto demoted Chad Dallas to Buffalo in order to make room for Lee on the active roster.

Toronto recalled Estrada from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

After being elevated to the big-league club Monday and then sent back down Tuesday, Estrada will rejoin Toronto on Wednesday. The 27-year-old has made just four appearances with the Blue Jays this season. With Trey Yesavage (knee) sidelined on the 15-day injured list, Toronto was in need of an extra arm that can give them length out of the bullpen.

Toronto demoted Dallas to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Dallas appeared in Tuesday's game against Houston, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out three in three innings. The 26-year-old made just one outing after being recalled from Triple-A on July 29. The Blue Jays recalled Chase Lee to replace Dallas on the active roster.

Bednar notched a save against the Cardinals on Tuesday, intentionally walking one batter and striking out three over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings.

Bednar took the mound with two outs in the top of the eighth inning with runners at second and third and New York nursing a 2-0 lead. He began by intentionally walking pinch hitter Alec Burleson before striking out Nelson Velazquez on three pitches. The star closer returned for the ninth and retired all three batters he faced, the final two by strikeout. It was the continuation of a dominant stretch for Bednar -- he's converted 15 straight save opportunities, posting a 0.91 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 34:9 K:BB across 29.2 innings during that stretch. On the season, he's up to 25 saves, tied for sixth most in the majors.

Mears (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a mound progression next week, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been sidelined since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks in his recovery, but after resuming a throwing program July 29, the right-hander is nearing a return to mound work. The 29-year-old will almost certainly need a rehab assignment before being activated, but if no new setbacks arise during his progression, a return before the end of August is possible. On the year, Mears owns a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Estevez (shoulder) is scheduled to start a mound progression Friday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez started a throwing program July 17 and is nearing a return to mound work as his rehab from a right rotator cuff strain continues. Progressing to throwing off the mound is a positive step, though the right-hander will need to check more boxes, including facing hitters and embarking on a rehab assignment, before returning to the Royals becomes a real possibility. The veteran has been on the injured list for virtually the entire season, hitting the shelf April 1 after just one regular-season appearance due to a left foot contusion.

Lavender walked one and struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings Tuesday to record his first career hold in a win over the Guardians.

Making his big-league debut, the 26-year-old southpaw got the final out of the seventh inning with the Mets leading 5-2, and then stayed in for the eighth after his team produced an insurance run. Lavender could get a long look as a high-leverage option with New York having dealt veteran southpaws A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley at the trade deadline, with fellow rookie Jefry Yan being his main competition for the job of top left-handed setup man for closer Devin Williams.