The Cubs outrighted Simmons to Triple-A Iowa after he cleared waivers Monday.
After inking a split contract with the Cubs over the winter, SImmons was unable to work his way back to the majors, as he has submitted a 5.56 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 21:21 K:BB across 22.2 innings at Iowa this season. Recurring injuries have derailed what once looked to be a promising career for the right-hander, who posted a 2.91 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 21.2 innings as a 23-year-old for the Braves in 2014. Over the subsequent four seasons, Simmons has been limited to just 16 big-league appearances.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Shae Simmons: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Simmons (shoulder) was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
He was shut down early in March with shoulder tightness, so it's possible he gets placed on the 7-day DL once minor-league play opens up. Simmons will serve as organizational bullpen depth this season.
Cubs' Shae Simmons: Shut down with shoulder tightness
Rotowire
Simmons will be shut down for a couple of days after experiencing tightness in his right shoulder, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
The injury cropped up during Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Indians, prompting Simmons to be removed before recording an out. The hope is that some time off will help the issue subside. Simmons, who signed a split contract with the Cubs earlier in the offseason, will need to get back on the field relatively soon if he wants a chance to break camp with Chicago.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Shae Simmons: Exits game with shoulder tightness
Rotowire
Simmons exited Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Indians with tightness in his right shoulder, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
Simmons issued two walks and failed to record an out before being removed from the contest. Specifics regarding the injury should come forth after he's further evaluated Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Shae Simmons: Agrees to deal with Cubs
Rotowire
Simmons signed a split contract with the Cubs on Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports.
Simmons will earn $750,000 if he makes the major-league roster. In 2017, the right-hander appeared in nine games out of the Mariners' bullpen, posting a 7.04 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 7.2 innings. Simmons doesn't have a whole lot of major-league experience -- his 26 games with Atlanta in 2014 are more than he has combined in every other year of his professional career -- but he adds a little more depth within the Cubs' organization.
... See More... See Less
Shae Simmons: Cut loose by Mariners
Rotowire
The Mariners declined to tender Simmons a contract for 2018, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
Simmons' road back from Tommy John surgery was riddled with setbacks, with the rehab essentially taking the better part of three years. He enjoyed some initial success upon his return last season, but fell apart late with six earned runs allowed in his final three appearances (2.1 innings). The right-hander will have something to prove in spring training wherever he lands.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Strikes out side in loss
Rotowire
Simmons fired a scoreless eighth inning in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Rangers, striking out the side.
Simmons has been a pleasant late-season surprise for manager Scott Servais, as he's strung together six consecutive scoreless efforts. He's allowed just one hit over that span while also racking up seven strikeouts, an impressive overall tally after he missed the majority of the season with a forearm injury.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Strong showing in '17 debut
Rotowire
Simmons (forearm) fired a scoreless ninth inning in Sunday's 10-2 win over the Athletics, allowing a hit and recording two strikeouts.
Simmons made his long-awaited 2017 debut after battling through a forearm injury for the majority of the campaign. The 27-year-old right-hander was impressive during his stints with the Braves in 2014 and 2016, so the Mariners will gauge his potential value as a bullpen arm during the balance of September.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Activated from DL
Rotowire
Simmons (forearm) was activated from the 60-day DL on Friday.
Simmons has not pitched in the big leagues since 2016 with the Braves, as his forearm injury cost him most of the season. He has a chance to be a setup arm in the long term, but will likely be deployed in low-leverage spots in September.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Impresses in first Tacoma outing
Rotowire
Simmons (forearm, shoulder) fired a scoreless seventh inning in Triple-A Tacoma's loss to Memphis on Friday, his first appearance for the Rainiers.
As per Tacoma play-by-play man Mike Curto, Simmons hit 97 mph on the gun during his outing, certainly an encouraging indicator of the health of both his shoulder and forearm. Simmons' most recent game action had come with Double-A Arkansas on July 14 before shoulder soreness put a pause to his rehab assignment.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Starts throwing again in rehab
Rotowire
Simmons (forearm), who recently suffered a setback in his rehab, threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Saturday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
The hard-throwing 26-year-old fired away in front of the team's training staff as he attempts to work his way back into game action. Simmons last pitched for Double-A Arkansas on July 14 and had been moved to Triple-A Tacoma to continue his rehab before right shoulder soreness put his recovery on pause. Saturday's development is certainly a step in the right direction, leaving Simmons hopeful of returning to the mound by the end of next week.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Suffers setback
Rotowire
Simmons (forearm) suffered a setback in his rehab, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.
The 26-year-old was making rehab appearances for Double-A Arkansas, but hasn't pitched since July 14. Simmons had Tommy John surgery in 2015 and pitched for the Braves late last season, but has been on the disabled list for the entirety of 2017 with forearm issues. The right-hander could provide some help for the Mariners' bullpen, but doesn't seem close to a return with this latest setback.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Scratched with arm soreness
Rotowire
Simmons was scratched from his scheduled rehab start Monday with Triple-A Tacoma due to arm soreness, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
It sounds like he will be shut down for the moment, as he works to get through this latest hurdle. Simmons was on pace for a mid-July return to the big leagues, but now he should be considered out indefinitely.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Moves rehab to Double-A
Rotowire
The Mariners transferred Simmons' (forearm) rehab from Triple-A Tacoma to Double-A Arkansas on Monday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
Simmons, who has been sidelined all season while working back from a surgically repaired elbow, has made three rehab appearances in July, with the latter two coming at the Double-A level. There's been no reports that Simmons has suffered any setbacks since his most recent outing July 14, so it's likely he's just sticking around at Arkansas for logistical reasons. Due to the length of his absence, Simmons will probably need at least a few more rehab appearances before being activated from the 60-day disabled list.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: On pace for mid-July return
Rotowire
Simmons (forearm) could rejoin the Mariners in mid-July, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.
Simmons has been enduring a multi-year rehab from Tommy John surgery. He threw a scoreless inning in his first rehab Thursday for Seattle's Arizona League squad on Thursday. Expect him to make rehab appearances at multiple levels as he works his way back, but it sounds like he won't be out much longer than the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Strong showing in first rehab outing
Rotowire
Simmons (forearm) fired a scoreless inning Thursday for the Mariners' Arizona League rookie team, giving up a hit and recording two strikeouts, the Mariners' official minor-league Twitter account reports.
The 26-year-old right-hander has endured Tommy John surgery and a subsequent flexor strain over the last two years, so his return to the mound Thursday was certainly cause of optimism. Simmons had resumed a throwing program in early June after a setback, and he's been progressing without further difficulties since that point. Given that he'd been shut down from action since spring training, Simmons is likely in for an extended rehab assignment.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Resumes throwing after setback
Rotowire
Simmons (forearm) has resumed a throwing program, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Simmons had been shut down from his rehab earlier in the year after suffering a setback with his flexor strain following a simulated game. A timetable for his return should become clearer as Simmons continues to progress in his recovery, though the Mariners likely won't rush the righty given the extensive time he's missed over the past couple years.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Shae Simmons: Back to tossing bullpen sessions
Rotowire
Simmons (forearm) is throwing bullpen sessions at extended spring training, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.
Simmons was transferred to the 60-day disabled list earlier in the month, but it seems like he's finally turning a page in his rehab process. He hopes to make a few rehab appearances relatively soon -- more information on his timetable should be revealed once he reaches that step.
