Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports the Rays are likely to sign free agent right-hander Erasmo Ramírez to a minor league contract.
Nothing official yet, but it sounds like Ramírez is on the verge of joining Tampa Bay's relief mix in the coming days shortly after being released by the Nationals. The 33-year-old righty was cut loose earlier this week after compiling a bloated 6.33 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 13/6 K/BB ratio across 27 innings (23 appearances) this season.
Red Sox OF prospect Miguel Bleis will undergo season-ending left shoulder surgery.
Bleis is universally-regarded as one of the top prospects in Boston's system and will need surgery for a left shoulder subluxation and miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign. The 19-year-old outfielder played in just 31 games this season for Single-A Salem in the Carolina League.
Guardians recalled LHP Tim Herrin from Triple-A Columbus.
Herrin will be available out of Cleveland's bullpen for Saturday's contest against the Astros. The 26-year-old southpaw compiled a lackluster 7.45 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 13/4 K/BB ratio across 9 2/3 innings (nine appearances) earlier this season in his first taste of the big leagues.
Jimmy Nelson (elbow) fired a scoreless inning on Saturday in a minor league rehab appearance for the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League affiliate.
Nelson made one relief appearance for Triple-A Oklahoma City back in April before being shut down from throwing. The righty is working his way back from right elbow inflammation and might be an option for the Dodgers in a middle relief role next month, if he can avoid any setbacks.
Jorge Polanco has been diagnosed with a moderate left hamstring strain.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters Saturday that Polanco's MRI revealed a strain that was slightly more severe than the hamstring strain he suffered last month. He also added that the strain is in a different spot than the previous one. It sounds like the veteran second baseman is going to wind up missing at least a few weeks, which puts his potential return sometime in early-to-mid July.
Austin Barnes (hand) will take batting practice on Saturday.
Barnes underwent a CT scan on Saturday that confirmed the negative X-ray results he received earlier this week after being hit by a pitch during Thursday's game against the Reds. It sounds like there's a chance he'll be ready to catch again in a few days.
Daniel Hudson (knee) tossed a scoreless inning on Saturday in a minor league rehab appearance for the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League affiliate.
This one was far more interesting that the box score would indicate as Hudson gave up a leadoff single that was erased on a caught stealing. He issued a walk and notched a strikeout before a catcher pickoff ended the frame. The 36-year-old veteran reliever is at least a few weeks away from returning to the Dodgers' high-leverage relief mix.
Diamondbacks activated LHP Anthony Misiewicz from the 15-day injured list; optioned him to Triple-A Reno.
Misiewicz has wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment and will remain stationed at Triple-A Reno until an opportunity arises in the majors. The 28-year-old lefty landed on the injured list back in mid-May with a right calf strain.
An MRI on Garrett Cooper's left arm came back clean for any structural damage.
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker added that Cooper will be available off the bench for Saturday's contest against the White Sox. The 32-year-old was involved with a scary-looking collision with Elvis Andrus on Friday night when the veteran infielder came into contact with his left arm while trying to make a play at first base. He should be considered day-to-day for now.
Alec Bohm (hamstring) will go through a pregame workout on Saturday.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters Bohm could be activated as early as Sunday if he gets through his latest workout without any issues. The 26-year-old third baseman landed on the injured list at the end of May with a mild left hamstring strain.
Noah Song (back) will progress to pitching in a simulated game next week.
Song has been sidelined since spring training due to a lower back issue and there isn't a definitive timetable for him to return. The 25-year-old Rule 5 pickup from the Red Sox figures to spend the majority of the 2023 campaign rehabbing and building up his arm strength. He could potentially make it to the majors sometime later this summer.
Phillies RHP prospect Andrew Painter (elbow) is scheduled to throw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Saturday.
Painter has been brought along with extreme caution this season after being shut down in spring training due to a UCL sprain in his right elbow. The 20-year-old top pitching prospect is a long ways off from making his big league debut and figures to spend the next few months working his way back. He might be ready to get into minor league games in the next few weeks, barring any setbacks.
Rangers optioned RHP Spencer Howard to Triple-A Round Rock.
Howard recorded only one out and was lit up for four runs in relief on Friday night against the Rays in his season debut and has been immediately shipped back to the minors. He'll get another opportunity soon, but the Rangers needed to bring up a fresh arm for the remainder of their tough weekend series against Tampa Bay.
Rangers recalled RHP Yerry Rodríguez from Triple-A Round Rock.
Rodríguez will be available out of Texas' bullpen for Saturday's showdown against the Rays. The 25-year-old righty has made four relief appearances this season at the big league level.
Kendall Graveman is likely unavailable for Saturday's game against the Marlins.
Graveman has pitched in back-to-back contests and three of Chicago's last four games overall, so it'll most likely be Liam Hendriks getting the call on Saturday afternoon, should a save situation arise. The 32-year-old righty has reeled off 16 consecutive scoreless appearances since May 3.
Cedric Mullins (groin) has resumed baseball activities.
Mullins remains without a timetable to return after landing on the injured list back in late May with a right groin strain. The 28-year-old outfielder will continue rehabbing in Sarasota, Florida for the next few weeks while Aaron Hicks continues filling in as Baltimore's primary center fielder.
Mets optioned LHP Zach Muckenhirn to Triple-A Syracuse.
Muckenhirn has been sent back to the minors to allow the Mets to bring up a couple fresh bullpen arms ahead of Saturday afternoon's contest against the Pirates. The 28-year-old lefty has made a trio of relief appearances this season in the majors for New York.
Mets recalled LHP Josh Walker from Triple-A Syracuse.
Walker made one relief appearance earlier this season for the Mets and gets the call back to the big leagues in advance of Saturday's contest against the Pirates to help replenish New York's overworked bullpen.
Mets recalled RHP John Curtiss from Triple-A Syracuse.
Curtiss struggled earlier this season in 11 relief appearances before being demoted to the minors, but gets the call back to the majors to provide New York with some extra bullpen depth heading into Saturday's game against the Pirates.
Rays transferred LHP Josh Fleming from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
The procedural move opens up a spot on the Rays' 40-man roster to promote lefty José Lopez from Triple-A Durham prior to Saturday's game against the Rangers. The 27-year-old southpaw landed on the injured list earlier this month with a left elbow issue and will be on the shelf until at least early August.