MLB Player News

Lawlar (hamstring) joined the Diamondbacks in Boston and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Red Sox, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Though Lawlar had been expected to continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Amarillo for the early part of the week, the Diamondbacks have apparently seen enough from the 24-year-old during his time on the farm to feel comfortable with his health. Lawlar -- who has been on the shelf since June 20 due to a right hamstring strain -- hit .250 with five home runs, two stolen bases and a 1:13 BB:K in nine games with Amarillo. He'll likely see most of his action in center field upon rejoining the Diamondbacks, with Lawlar's addition perhaps leaving Ryan Waldschmidt, Max Kepler and Lars Nootbaar to jockey for playing time between left field and the designated-hitter spot.

Taylor (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Taylor landed on the 10-day injured list in early July with a right oblique strain but has finally been cleared to play in games again. Given how much time Taylor has missed, the utility player will likely require a handful of rehab contests before returning.

Swanson was diagnosed Monday with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, which typically carries a recovery timeline of 4-to-6 weeks, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The Cubs are expected to officially place Swanson on the 10-day injured list prior to Monday's game against the White Sox after he was forced out of Sunday's 11-4 loss to the Cardinals with the injury. Assuming the projected recovery timeline holds, Swanson won't be available until around mid-September in a best-case scenario, though the Cubs are hopeful that he'll be back to full health in advance of the playoffs. While Swanson is out, Nico Hoerner is expected to settle in as the Cubs' everyday shortstop, and Pedro Ramirez could operate as the primary option at second base until Matt Shaw (hand) is ready to come off the IL.

The Athletics announced Monday that Kuroda-Grauer (testicle) has resumed taking part in light, non-impact activities, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Kuroda-Grauer will be eased back into baseball-related workouts after he required surgery July 21 to address a ruptured testicle, an injury he suffered a day earlier when he fouled a ball off of himself. The Athletics aren't putting a timeline on Kuroda-Grauer's return from the injured list, but since he hasn't yet begun a hitting, running or fielding progression, he doesn't appear on track to make it back from the shelf before the end of August.

The Athletics plan to reinstate Springs (hip) from the 15-day injured list and insert him into the rotation at some point during the upcoming week, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.

Though the team hasn't confirmed when Springs will slot into the rotation, he'll most likely take the hill either Wednesday or Thursday in Kansas City. Springs landed on the IL on Aug. 4 due to right hip discomfort but was able to restart a throwing program a day later. He reported to Single-A Stockton and made his lone rehab start Friday, tossing 59 pitches (41 strikes) while recording four punchouts and allowing five hits and no walks over three innings. Springs may have a light cap on his pitch count in his return to the Athletics, though fantasy managers may want to avoid streaming him in any case after he submitted a 6.17 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 108 innings in 22 starts prior to hitting the IL.

Walls is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, but he'll put it on hold for a night as the Rays give him some rest. Jorge Mateo will step in at shortstop in place of Walls, who is still slashing just .240/.296/.360 since the All-Star break in spite of his recent hot stretch at the dish.

Mesa (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mesa hasn't started a game since exiting Friday's series opener due to left hamstring tightness, though he appeared as a pinch hitter Saturday. The outfielder is considered day-to-day. Ryan Vilade will handle right field for the Rays on Monday.

Turner (knee) will start at shortstop and bat second in Monday's game versus the Marlins.

Turner did not play in Sunday's contest against the Twins after fouling a ball of his lower right leg Saturday. It will be only a one-game absence for the shortstop, as he's feeling well enough to give in a go Monday as the Phillies open up a homestand.

Bednar (6-3) blew a save but earned the win over Toronto on Sunday, allowing an unearned run over 1.2 innings. He walked one, struck out one and did not yield any hits.

Bednar was brought in from the bullpen in the eighth inning with one out, a runner on first and the Yankees up 2-1. The veteran closer retired both batters he faced in that frame to maintain the lead, then returned to try to close things out in the ninth. The Blue Jays managed to tie the game on Bednar's watch, but that was largely due to an inning-opening error by first baseman Ben Rice, who later redeemed himself with a two-run blast in the 10th that gave New York -- and Bednar -- the victory. The blown save (as undeserved as it was) was just the third of the campaign through 30 attempts for Bednar, who is tied for sixth in the majors with 27 saves overall. He struggled a bit early in the season, but Bednar has been lights-out since May 22, posting a 0.81 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 36:9 K:BB over 33.1 innings spanning 29 appearances.

The Pirates optioned Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Barco's stay in Pittsburgh lasted just one day, with the southpaw being called upon out of the bullpen to piggyback starter Lake Bachar in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Red Sox. After Bachar opened the game with three scoreless frames, Barco came on to work the next three innings, striking out four batters while yielding three earned runs on two hits and one walk. Barco will give up his spot on the active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Yohan Ramirez (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity leave list in a corresponding move.