MLB Player News

Interim manager Chad Tracy said Monday that Slaten (elbow) has been shut down from throwing, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Slaten last pitched Aug. 12 before landing on the shelf four days later due to elbow inflammation. He's experienced recurring symptoms since restarting a throwing program recently and will be shut down indefinitely, lessening the possibility that the 28-year-old makes it back from the injured list before the end of the regular season. Slaten owns a 4.60 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB across 31.1 innings of relief with Boston.

Lopez went 2-for-4 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Cubs.

The steal was Lopez's 30th of the season, marking the first time in his career he's reached that plateau. Lopez has been bouncing around the batting order of late against right-handed pitching -- he hit seventh Sunday, the first time all year he's been in the bottom third -- but he's remained fairly productive, slashing .264/.298/.396 over his last 13 games with four extra-base hits including one homer, along with five steals, five RBI and eight runs.

Manager Craig Albernaz said Monday that Helsley (elbow) will throw live batting practice Tuesday or Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Helsley last pitched for Baltimore on June 27 due to elbow inflammation. He's been throwing since early August but will finally face hitters this week, giving him a chance to pitch again this regular season. Helsley has been limited to 17 appearances this season, registering eight saves with a 4.11 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 15.1 innings.

Hernandez went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Cubs.

The 26-year-old outfielder launched a solo shot off Clay Holmes in the fourth inning, Hernandez's sixth long ball in his last 15 games and 24th of the season. He was hitting below the Mendoza Line as late as May 26, but he's pulled his slash line up to .230/.315/.471 on the season through 112 contests with 45 runs, 63 RBI and a surprising 11 steals.

Edwards (thumb) fielded grounders at LoanDepot Park on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It appears to be the first time Edwards has been allowed to catch a ball with his glove since he suffered a left thumb sprain in late August. The infielder could be ready for activation from the 10-day injured list later this week, though the Marlins have not revealed a specific timeline for Edwards.

The Rockies optioned Ritter to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

He's been jettisoned back to Albuquerque to make space on the active roster for the return of Kyle Karros (concussion). Ritter was with the big club for the past two-plus weeks, going 2-for-12 at the plate in limited action.

Smith went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Royals.

Getting the start at second base and batting seventh, Smith provided the Blue Jays with their only offense when he got hold of a Randy Dobnak sweeper in the sixth inning and hooked it down the right-field line. The 29-year-old utility player has been making an impact at the plate since being picked up from Texas at the trade deadline, slashing .257/.381/.600 in 44 plate appearances with four homers, five RBI and 11 runs despite missing 11 games with a hamstring strain. Smith has mainly played second base and third base with Toronto, but he has experience in left field and could get more time there down the stretch with neither Jesus Sanchez nor Myles Straw looking like adequate options for a team still in the playoff race.

The Rockies activated Karros (concussion) from the 7-day injured list Monday.

Karros has been on the 7-day concussion IL twice in the last few weeks, but he cleared protocols last week and went 6-for-15 with a home run in four rehab games with Double-A Hartford. The 24-year-old will regain his role as the Rockies' primary third baseman down the stretch.

Fairbanks (hand) will throw another bullpen session Monday and is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Fairbanks has been shelved for nearly two weeks of action with medial nerve irritation in his right hand. He was administered multiple injections to combat the issue, and the shots appear to have achieved the desired goal. Fairbanks should be thrown right back into the Marlins' closer role upon activation.

Happ (knee) is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Milwaukee.

Happ is dealing with left knee discomfort and is considered day-to-day, but even if he was fully healthy, he might have sat anyway since the Brewers are sending a lefty (Robert Gasser) to the hill. Tyrone Taylor will get another start in left field in place of the switch-hitting Happ, who has produced a 43 wRC+ over 138 plate appearances versus left-handed pitching this season.