MLB Player News

Lorenzen (shoulder) threw 45 pitches over three innings during a simulated game Tuesday and will next report to Triple-A Salt Lake to begin a rehab assignment, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander progressed to throwing bullpen sessions last week and has now been cleared for game action in the minors. Lorenzen is eligible to be activated from the 60-day IL in early September and is expected to make two rehab starts before rejoining the big-league rotation.

Blackburn was diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon sheath in his right middle finger Tuesday and will wear a splint for the next six weeks, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Blackburn was ruled out for the rest of the season earlier Tuesday, and the specifics of the injury, which was previously diagnosed as inflammation, are now known. At this point the 29-year-old is expected to avoid surgery, but he will be re-evaluated in three weeks. Blackburn had a breakout during the first couple months of 2022 and finishes the campaign with a 4.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 89:30 K:BB across 111.1 innings.

Blackburn will be shut down for the rest of the season after visiting a specialist for inflammation in his right middle finger Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 29-year-old landed on the shelf after posting a 2.26 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB across 71.2 innings over his first 13 starts of the season to earn a trip to the All-Star Game. However, he had a 7.94 ERA across his past eight starts before moving to the injured list last week. It's not known if he'll require surgery or whether he's expected to be ready for the start of spring training next year.

Houck (back) was diagnosed with a disc issue Tuesday and will return to Boston for a week of treatment, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Houck will be re-evaluated next Monday before the Red Sox determine his next steps, but at this stage, the right-hander's return from the injured list doesn't look to be imminent. If he responds well to treatment over the next several days, Houck could be back near the end of the month in a best-case scenario, but a return in September seems more likely. The Red Sox should continue to lean on Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber in higher-leverage spots while their preferred closer is sideilned.

The Rangers selected Arihara's contract from Triple-A Round Rock ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday versus the Athletics.

Arihara will be making his 2022 big-league debut after having thus far spent his entire second season in North America at Triple-A. The righty is fully built up as a starter and isn't expected to face a limited pitch count against a hapless Oakland lineup, but he still may be difficult to trust. Over his 72 innings at Triple-A this season, Arihara produced a 4.88 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.

Bush has a 3.20 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 77:24 K:BB in 76 innings across 16 starts for Double-A Rocket City this season.

The 2021 second-rounder had a tremendous first half, but his workload has been dialed back significantly over the last month-plus -- he's made just four total appearances (pitching just 14.1 innings) in July and August, not counting a scoreless inning in the Futures Game. A big lefty at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, Bush has shown better command than expected and done a good job keeping the ball in the park. There's relief risk here, but Bush is an intriguing prospect.

The Blue Jays promoted Carter from the rookie-level Florida Complex League to Single-A Dunedin on Tuesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

A 2021 fifth-round pick, Carter's professional debut was delayed a year while the Blue Jays deliberately managed his workload coming off his senior season of high school. The 19-year-old right-hander was roughed up for 20 runs (18 earned) over 17.2 innings in his first five FCL starts, but he earned the promotion to Single-A after turning a corner around the minor-league All-Star break. Over his final four outings in rookie ball, Carter pitched to a 2.25 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB across 16 frames.

The Blue Jays promoted Robberse from High-A Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire on Tuesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Robberse had been one of Vancouver's top starters this season, logging a 3.81 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 80:24 K:BB across 89.2 innings. The 20-year-old right-hander will be rewarded with a stiffer level of competition over the final weeks of the 2022 campaign.

Boyd (elbow) struck out two over a perfect inning Monday in his first rehab appearance at Triple-A Tacoma.

Acquired from the Giants on Aug. 2, Boyd currently occupies a spot on the Mariners' 60-day injured list but looks on track for activation at some point within the next few weeks. Due to his prolonged recovery from the flexor tendon surgery he underwent last September, Boyd doesn't look like he'll have enough time to get stretched out for a starting role, so he's expected to slot into the Seattle bullpen once he's eventually reinstated from the IL. Though he likely won't factor into the closing situation, Boyd could prove to be a valuable multi-inning arm out of the bullpen.

Garcia (1-0) struck out five and allowed three earned runs on five hits and no walks to come away with the victory Monday in the Tigers' 7-5 win over the Guardians in the second game of a doubleheader.

Called up from Triple-A Toledo in advance of the twin bill to make his third start of the season, Garcia delivered his best outing to date. After issuing six free passes over four scoreless innings his last time out against the Rays on Aug. 5, Garcia was far more efficient Monday while throwing 61 of his 88 pitches for strikes. The only blemishes on his line came in the fourth inning, when Andres Gimenez and Luke Maile took him deep for a two-run and a solo home run, respectively. Garcia is likely to be optioned back to Toledo on Tuesday, but he should be one of the Tigers' top options for a call-up the next time the team needs a spot starter.