MLB Player News

Hamels (triceps) could build his workload up during game action, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Hamels threw a live batting practice session Sunday that went very well and is scheduled to throw another session in the coming days. If that goes smoothly, manager Brian Snitker said that he could be activated soon after. The southpaw still hasn't ramped up his workload during his recovery process, but he could serve as a starter for Atlanta soon, even if he isn't able to last very long initially. Hamels has been dealing with shoulder and triceps issues since spring training.

Wright will start Tuesday's game against the Marlins, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Wright will rejoin the major-league club after spending the last several weeks at the alternate training site. The right-hander posted a 7.20 ERA and 12:16 K:BB over 15 innings during his first stint with the team in 2020.

Smyly (finger) could return from the injured list Wednesday or Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Smyly has been sidelined for over a month while dealing with a strained left index finger, but he's been steadily increasing his workload recently. Manager Gabe Kapler said that he could return to the rotation during the week. Tyler Anderson or Trevor Cahill could take on a bullpen role going forward depending on which day Smyly returns to action.

Robinson was added to the Cubs' 60-man roster Monday.

Robinson posted a 4.76 ERA and 1.49 WHIP over 22.2 innings with Triple-A Iowa last season prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2019. He'll head to the Cubs' alternate training site for developmental purposes.

Rea is expected to return to the bullpen this week with the Cubs listing Adbert Alzolay as their starting pitcher for Thursday's game against the Reds, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

With both Jose Quintana (lat) and Tyler Chatwood (forearm) on the injured list, the Cubs added fifth and sixth starters to their rotation for Saturday's doubleheader with the Cardinals. Both Alzolay and Rea received nods, and while neither impressed, the Cubs seemingly have faith that the young right-hander can provide them with more than the 2.2 innings he offered in the first game of Saturday's twin bill. Rea, meanwhile, started the second game, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks in two innings before being pulled from the contest.

Cubs manager David Ross said that Quintana (lat) could begin a throwing program as soon as Tuesday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Since being shut down last week with inflammation in his left lat muscle, Quintana has apparently responded well to treatment. After getting another day of rest Monday, Quintana will be re-evaluated Tuesday, at which point the Cubs could clear him to start playing catch again. With another injured starter in Tyler Chatwood (forearm) on track to begin a throwing program Monday, Quintana may have to settle for a bullpen role once he's reinstated from the IL for a second time this season.

The Marlins activated Urena from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday against the Braves.

Miami cleared room for Urena on the 28-man active roster by optioning infielder Eddy Alvarez to its alternate training site, while outfielder Harold Ramirez (hamstring) was transferred to the 45-day IL to open up space for the right-hander on the 40-man roster. Urena has spent the last three weeks at the Marlins' alternate site in Jupiter building up his arm after he was shut down in late July when he tested positive for COVID-19. With Miami dealing Caleb Smith to Arizona last week and with Elieser Hernandez (lat) recently suffered a season-ending injury, Urena should be locked into a rotation spot the rest of the way.

Urias yielded four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Sunday versus the Rockies.

Urias gave up a two-run homer to Josh Fuentes in the second inning, and then he got into trouble in the fifth before Dylan Floro replaced him. It was a rare misstep for Urias this season, who has a 3.86 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB across 37.1 innings. The 24-year-old is expected to start next Sunday versus the Astros.

Kim (chest/kidney) returned to St. Louis on Sunday and will be evaluated Monday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

A kidney ailment landed Kim in the hospital and on the 10-day injured list Saturday, but he was reportedly already feeling better Sunday and was back home. The evaluation he'll undergo Monday will help determine when he can resume baseball activities at Busch Stadium, and the team is optimistic he'll be able to return to the active roster once he's no longer on the blood thinners he's currently taking. "Medically, if he's in a controlled setting, he can continue to work out, play catch, throw bullpens, keep his arm strength up," manager Mike Shildt said. "And when he gets to a point where he feels like he can compete and [not be] vulnerable for contact, he'll get back to being with us."

Martinez (illness) will be activated from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday and start the first game of that day's doubleheader against the Twins, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

This had been the likely scenario since late in the week, but manager Mike Shildt confirmed it before Sunday's game. The outing will mark Martinez's first start since July 29, which also came against the Twins. The Cardinals subsequently suffered a coronavirus outbreak that paused their season for 17 days, with Martinez one of the infected players. The right-hander has been building his arm up at the team's alternate training site in Springfield since gaining clearance to resume baseball activities, and Shildt reported Sunday that Martinez had a pitch count "in the 50s" during his live batting practice session Wednesday.