MLB Player News

Dotel is slated to start Friday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.

Stepping into the rotation spot vacated by the injured Braxton Ashcraft (arm), Dotel will be taking the hill on two days' rest and hasn't covered more three innings in any appearance in the majors or minors since the All-Star break. Khristian Curtis and Antwone Kelly are both well-rested arms capable of covering multiple frames out of the bullpen once Dotel's day is done.

The Pirates optioned Simon to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Simon had just been recalled Sunday and received only one plate appearance this week. He's clearing off the roster to make room for the return of Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) from the injured list.

The Pirates activated O'Hearn (quadriceps) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Sidelined since late July with a left quadriceps strain, O'Hearn has been cleared to return after going 1-for-7 with one double and a 1:2 BB:K in two rehab games with Triple-A Indianapolis. The 33-year-old has authored a .270/.334/.454 slash line with 17 home runs over 96 contests this season. Manager Don Kelly said Friday that O'Hearn will likely be limited to first base and designated hitter down the stretch so as not to risk aggravating his quad issue in the outfield, per Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com. O'Hearn is not in the lineup Friday against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga.

Atlanta recalled Keirsey from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

He's taking the roster spot vacated by the injured Lane Thomas (intercostal). Keirsey has slashed .247/.303/.346 with six home runs and 40 stolen bases this season with Gwinnett. The 29-year-old is unlikely to play much in a reserve outfielder role.

Atlanta placed Thomas on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left intercostal strain.

Thomas suffered the injury prior to Thursday's game against the Rays. The injury is expected to sideline Thomas for one month, but he will visit a doctor Sunday to see if there's anything he can do to speed up his recovery, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Langeliers (knee) went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in a rehab game with Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Langeliers returned to game action for the first time since undergoing a meniscectomy on his right knee July 28, picking up a pair of hits. He slotted in at designated hitter and is expected to remain in that role for the remainder of the season, keeping Jonah Heim and Brian Serven as the tandem behind the plate for the Athletics even after Langeliers is activated. Before hitting the shelf, the 28-year-old slashed .263/.332/.497 with 23 homers, 51 RBI, 55 runs and two stolen bases in 93 games.

Sullivan (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday, striking out four while yielding one run in 1.2 innings.

It's the first outing for Sullivan since he went down with a shoulder impingement in early July. The left-hander likely doesn't have enough time to get stretched back out to make any traditional starts down the stretch, but he could help the Rockies in a relief role.

Cauley entered Thursday's game as a pinch runner and stole a base in a 4-3 loss to the Mariners.

Cauley, who has a history of stealing bases in the minors, stole his first bag as a major leaguer. He's served in a niche role since returning as part of the Rangers' roster expansion. This was his fifth appearance since the recall, with four of them coming as a pinch runner and one on defense during a blowout loss. He's yet to have a plate appearance this month.

Carter went 0-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base, a run scored and hit by pitch in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Seattle.

He helped increase Texas' early lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning. After being hit by a pitch, Carter stole second base and advanced to third on an errant throw before scoring on a single. It was the 16th steal of the season for Carter. Speed has been his biggest contribution to fantasy squads, as the outfielder is batting .195 with a .616 OPS and 35 RBI through 127 games.

Eovaldi (elbow) threw in the bullpen Thursday, MLB.com reports.

The report described the exercise as a "touch and feel bullpen session." If Eovaldi comes out of the session alright, the right-hander is expected to throw a second live BP session Friday in Arizona. He remains on track to rejoin the big-league staff as a bullpen option, perhaps as soon as this weekend.