The Seattle Mariners suffered a big blow Tuesday when it was revealed right-hander Felix Hernandez will miss three to four weeks with bursitis in his pitching shoulder.
Hernandez was scratched from his Saturday start against the Kansas City Royals and placed on the 10-day disabled list. Medical tests performed Monday in Seattle detected the seriousness of the injury.
In addition, right-hander David Phelps was placed on the disabled list with an impingement in his pitching elbow. He is slated to miss 2-to-3 weeks. Phelps was injured during Sunday’s game against Kansas City and departed after facing one batter.
Seattle is in the mix for an American League wild-card berth and the loss of the two pitchers could hurt that quest.
Hernandez, a former Cy Young Award winner, is just 5-4 with a 4.28 ERA this season but still ranks as the club’s second-best starter behind left-hander James Paxton.
White Sox activate All-Star OF Garcia
Chicago White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia returned from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte and was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list, the team announced.
Garcia, 26, takes the roster spot of third baseman Matt Davidson, who the White Sox placed on the 10-day DL on Monday with a right wrist contusion.
Garcia, a first-time All-Star in 2017, is batting .303 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs through 88 games with Chicago this season. He was placed on the DL retroactive to July 26 with a strained right thumb and missed 12 games.
Davidson, 26, was scheduled to return from his wrist injury Sunday against the Red Sox in Boston after being listed as the starting designated hitter, but was a late scratch before first pitch. He is batting .238 with a team-high 22 homers and 51 RBIs in 88 games this season.
Turf toe lands Rays RHP Cobb on DL
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Cobb was placed on the 10-day disabled with turf toe in his right big toe, the team announced.
The move was made retroactive to Aug. 6. Cobb told reporters he expects to be ready when his 10 days on the DL conclude.
Cobb last pitched Saturday when he gave up one run and five hits over six innings during a 3-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. He is 9-8 with a 3.80 ERA in 23 starts this season.
Left-hander Blake Snell was recalled from Triple-A Durham and will start Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Indians. Snell is 0-6 with a 4.98 ERA in 14 major league starts this season.
Rangers righty Cashner a late scratch vs. New York
Texas Rangers right-hander Andrew Cashner, who was scheduled to start the opener of a two-game series against the New York Mets, was scratched due to a stiff neck and replaced by Wednesday’s scheduled starter, A.J. Griffin.
Rangers manager Jeff Banister said Cashner woke up with a stiff neck Tuesday morning and called him in the early afternoon to let him know he didn’t think he’d be able to take the mound.
Texas also placed right-handed reliever Keone Kela on the 10-day disabled list due to right shoulder stiffness and purchased the contract of right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez from Double-A Frisco.
The club also made a minor trade later in the afternoon when it dealt right-hander Ernesto Frieri to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. Frieri, who appeared in six games for Texas earlier this season, was pitching at Triple-A Round Rock, for whom he had a 1.42 ERA in seven appearances.
Athletics promote top prospect 1B Olson
The Oakland Athletics recalled top prospect Matt Olson from Triple-A Nashville and are expected to give him a long look in terms of being the club’s new first baseman.
Oakland traded All-Star first baseman Yonder Alonso to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, a move that gives the 23-year-old Olson another shot in the majors.
Olson batted just .196 with 22 strikeouts in 51 at-bats with the Athletics earlier this season, but the left-handed hitter created some positive vibes with four homers during the stint. At Nashville, Olson was batting .272 with 23 homers and 60 RBIs.
Oakland also outrighted catcher Ryan Lavarnway to Nashville. Lavarnway had been designated for assignment on Saturday.
Yankees recall RHP Mitchell ahead of Blue Jays series
The New York Yankees recalled right-handed pitcher Bryan Mitchell from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Mitchell, 26, takes the roster spot of left-hander Jordan Montgomery after he was demoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. Mitchell is 1-1 with a 4.29 ERA in 13 appearances (one start) with the Yankees this season.
The former 16th round pick of the Yankees in the 2009 amateur draft last pitched in the majors on July 17, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in a five-inning spot start against the Twins in Minnesota.
Mitchell is 2-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 12 starts with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season.