MLB Player News

Brubaker (ribs) resumed a throwing program over the weekend, MLB.com reports.

Brubaker is working his way back from bruised ribs, which have kept him on the injured list since Aug. 24. He'll likely require a brief minor-league rehab assignment before making his return to the San Francisco bullpen.

Perez (7-11) took the loss against the Mets on Monday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out five.

Perez wasn't sharp during a rare Monday afternoon first-pitch time, surrendering a season-high 10 knocks in another short start. The right-hander is showing real signs of fatigue amid the campaign's final stages, working fewer than five innings while yielding at least five runs in three straight outings. Things won't get any easier with the Dodgers looming for his next scheduled appearance, with Perez now carrying a 3.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP 150:62 K:BB over a career-high 139.1 innings.

Tong (2-1) earned the win against Miami on Monday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out seven.

Making his first big-league appearance since June and first start since September of last year, Tong was hammered for four runs in the second inning but lasted just long enough to qualify for the win. The seven punchouts were the right-hander's most this season, and he turned in a season-long outing as well. He's set to take a 4.80 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 14:8 K:BB over 15 major-league innings into his next appearance versus Baltimore.

Mautz struck out one batter and allowed three hits and one walk over two innings of relief in Saturday's 10-7 loss to the Rockies.

In his previous appearance Wednesday against the Dodgers, Mautz made his first MLB start, but he was chased from the game after yielding three earned runs on two hits and three walks over one inning. He was sharper in a relief appearance at Coors Field over the weekend, but Mautz's performance probably won't earn him another look in the rotation in the near future. Cooper Hjerpe struck out six over four shutout innings of relief during Sunday's 10-8 win and would probably be next in line to start if the Cardinals expand their rotation to six men at any point over the final three weeks.

Chaparro is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres.

Chaparro still appears to be locked into a regular spot in the lineup versus left-handed pitching, but his playing time against righties is trending down following the recent return of James Wood from the injured list. The Nationals will keep Chaparro on the bench Monday for the third time in their last four games matchups against a right-handed starter (Nick Pivetta).

Nunez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres.

Since the start of August, Nunez has produced a lowly .112/.171/.122 slash line over 31 games, and his playing time has begun to take a hit as a result. He'll take a seat for the third time in six contests while the Nationals go with Jorbit Vivas and CJ Abrams as their starters in the middle infield. Though Nunez continues to lead the majors with 45 stolen bases, fantasy managers could have difficulty extracting much value from him if he fades into more of a part-time role down the stretch.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Monday that Contreras (hamstring) will resume running during the team's current series against the Angels and could be activated from the 10-day injured list as soon as Friday's series opener versus the Royals, Marcus Grunfeld of ElEmergente.com reports.

Tracy also added that Contreras could go out on a short rehab assignment before returning to the active roster, but he plans to speak with the first baseman about that possibility later this week. Contreras landed on the IL one week ago because of a left hamstring strain. Mickey Gasper has been filling in at first base for the Red Sox.

Early (elbow) will make an appearance in a bridge game Tuesday at the Nationals' spring training complex in Florida, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Though it will not go down as an official appearance, Early will be pitching in a game for the first time since he went down with left elbow inflammation in early July. It's unclear how many pitches Early is scheduled to throw Tuesday, but he will likely require at least one additional rehab start before joining the big-league rotation. Early was acquired from the Red Sox at the trade deadline and will be making his Nationals debut when he gets into a game.

The White Sox activated Murphy (forearm) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Chicago didn't have room in its bullpen for a healthy Murphy, so he'll end up sticking around in Charlotte for a little while longer after he struck out six over 4.2 scoreless innings across five rehab appearances for the affiliate. Murphy should rank near the top of the list for a call-up if the White Sox have a need for another lefty arm in the bullpen at any point over the final three weeks of the season.

The Nationals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

In six appearances for the Nationals this season, Cruz has allowed five runs with a 4:5 K:BB across four innings of work. The hard-throwing reliever has the upside to work his way into high-leverage situations, but he'll need to earn those opportunities.