MLB Player News

Murphy will start Saturday's game against the Rangers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Murphy was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett last weekend and worked three shutout innings out of the bullpen without allowing a hit Saturday against the Cardinals. He's worked exclusively as a starter in the minors this season, making 16 combined starts between Double-A and Triple-A. The 22-year-old right-hander has a 3.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB across 60.1 innings with Gwinnett. Atlanta has 17 games in 17 days beginning Friday, and it's unclear if Murphy will make more starts after this weekend. Both Martin Perez (forearm) and AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) are candidates to rejoin the rotation during that span.

The Nationals activated Kranick (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Kranick will be looking to make his season debut for Washington coming out of the All-Star break. He's coming back from flexor tendon surgery that sidelined him in June of 2025. The right-hander appeared in 24 games out of the bullpen for the Mets last season, posting a 3.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 25:5 K:BB across 37 innings.

The Cubs outrighted Woodford to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Woodford will have the ability to elect free agency, but it's unclear if he plans to test the open market or join Iowa following the All-Star break. The veteran right-hander has spent most of the season in the big leagues between stops with the Brewers and Cubs, logging a 7.46 ERA and 1.82 WHIP across 25.1 innings.

Triple-A Syracuse reinstated Pintaro (undisclosed) from its 7-day injured list Sunday.

PIntaro had been on the shelf at Triple-A since June 26 due to the injury. The righty remains part of the Mets' 40-man roster but has made just five appearances in the big leagues this season compared to 20 at Triple-A, where he owns a 3.63 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 34.2 innings.

The Mets outrighted Hammer to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Hammer will remain in the Mets organization after going unclaimed off waivers when he was designated for assignment Friday. The Mets called Hammer up from Triple-A on Thursday, but he didn't get the chance to make his MLB debut before being pushed off the 40-man roster a day later.

Lovelady (triceps) began a throwing program shortly after landing on the injured list June 29 and had thrown off flat ground out to 60 feet as recently as July 3, MLB.com reports.

The Nationals haven't provided an update on Lovelady's status over the past week and a half, but assuming he hasn't suffered any setbacks since he began playing catch, he could be ready to get back on a mound following the All-Star break. Before being deactivated, Lovelady had been a key piece in the Washington bullpen, notching one wins, four saves and nine holds across his 22 relief appearances with the club.

The Pirates optioned Murdock to Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Sunday's 14-5 win over the Brewers.

Murdock was up with the Pirates as their 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader, but he went unused in both ends of the twin bill. The 27-year-old righty is still waiting to make his Pittsburgh debut after he signed a minor-league deal with the organization in the offseason before being added to the 40-man roster July 5.

Morejon (7-2) earned the win over Toronto on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter over two innings.

Morejon entered in the seventh frame with the score tied 3-3. The lefty reliever retired the side in order in his first inning but allowed a run on two singles and a walk in the top of the eighth. However, the Padres rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of that frame to move Morejon into position for the victory. Despite being used strictly as a reliever this season, Morejon leads San Diego with seven wins, and he also ranks second on the club with 15 holds. He's compiled a 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 58:12 K:BB over 50 innings spanning a team-high 44 appearances.

The Brewers optioned Stallings to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Milwaukee called up Stallings on Saturday, designating him as its 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates. Stallings wasn't needed out of the bullpen for either contest and wound up heading back to Nashville prior to the Brewers' series finale in Pittsburgh.

The Cardinals outrighted Shuster to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Shuster will remain in the organization after clearing waivers when the Cardinals designated him for assignment Wednesday. The lefty reliever has made five appearances at the big-league level this season, giving up nine earned runs on 11 hits and six walks across nine innings.