MLB Player News

The Rays reinstated Sulser (back) from the injured list Friday.

Out since late July with lower-back spasms, Sulser began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham on Aug. 19 and has since given up two earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out seven batters over seven innings. Now fully healthy, he'll reclaim a middle-relief role in Tampa Bay's bullpen and replace Manuel Rodriguez (back) on the active roster.

Judge (ribs) is expected to face live pitching Monday at Yankee Stadium, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Judge began taking batting practice on the field Friday, and his graduation to facing live pitching during New York's upcoming scheduled day off keeps him on track to return sometime during the team's homestand next week. Manager Aaron Boone said that Judge will likely require some kind of build-up plan other than a traditional minor-league rehab assignment, suggesting the 34-year-old may be limited to five to seven innings per game or given regular off days once activated.

The Athletics optioned Morris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Morris will be jettisoned off the big-league roster after giving up five earned runs in just 2.2 innings during his start Friday against Seattle. Seth Johnson will come up from Triple-A to add depth to the Athletics' bullpen while the team sorts out its rotation plans.

The Athletics recalled Johnson from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Johnson carries a hefty 7.29 ERA and 2.00 WHIP through 21 innings in the majors this season, but he'll rejoin the Athletics' bullpen after giving up just one run in 5.1 Triple-A innings since being sent down to Vegas on Aug. 19. Kade Morris was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Manager John Schneider said Saturday that he hopes Bieber (shoulder) will be cleared to throw off a mound sometime next week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bieber has been on the shelf since Aug. 21 due to right teres major inflammation. He began throwing off flat ground Friday and will likely require another flat-ground session or two before he starts throwing off of a mound. With slightly more than three weeks remaining in the regular season, the 31-year-old righty will most likely have to wait until the postseason -- should Toronto earn a playoff spot -- before rejoining the Blue Jays' pitching staff.

Teel is not in the White Sox's starting lineup against the Twins on Saturday.

Teel was reinstated from the injured list Friday and went 0-for-3 after fully recovering from a left high-ankle sprain. He'll be on the bench for Saturday's contest while Jake Rogers starts behind home plate and bats ninth while forming a battery with southpaw Anthony Kay.

Burke's scheduled start against the Twins on Sunday has been moved to Tuesday's series opener against the Pirates, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox have yet to name a starter for Sunday's series finale after Burke's scheduled outing was pushed back by a couple of days. Across nine starts since the All-Star break, Burke has a 2-2 record with a 2.76 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB over 49 innings.

The Rays selected Johnson's contract from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

The Rays filled the spot in their bullpen vacated by Garrett Cleavinger, who was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left forearm tightness. Johnson has made 21 appearances (10 starts) in Triple-A this season, where he has a 3.03 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over 62.1 innings. His first appearance for the Rays will officially mark his major-league debut.

The Rays placed Cleavinger on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to left forearm tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 32-year-old southpaw may have picked up the injury during Friday's outing against the Rangers, when he allowed two runs on two hits (including a home run) and a walk while failing to record an out. He's eligible to return from the IL on Sept. 20, and he expressed confidence Saturday that he would pitch again this season, per Ryan Bass of Rays.tv. Right-hander Ty Johnson had his contract selected from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.

Sanchez is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Royals on Saturday.

Sanchez has been in Toronto's starting lineup just twice over the last seven games despite the Blue Jays facing right-handed pitching in some of those contests. Myles Straw is starting in left field and looks to be the preferred option in the outfield over Sanchez for the time being.