MLB Player News

The Padres reinstated Morejon from the COVID-19-related injured list Thursday.

Morejon's activation leaves right-hander Mike Clevinger as the only player left on the Padres' COVID-19 IL. Since he was only out for five days, Morejon didn't require a rehab assignment prior to being reinstated. He'll likely handle a low-leverage multi-inning role out of the San Diego bullpen moving forward.

The Padres optioned Weathers to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

San Diego already has six other healthy starting pitchers on the active roster and could get another (Mike Clevinger) back from the COVID-19-related injured list next week, so Weathers' demotion was fully expected regardless of how he performed in Wednesday's 19-5 win over the Cubs. Even though the Padres won comfortably, Weathers didn't factor into the decision in his first start with the big club after surrendering four runs on six hits and four walks across 3.2 innings prior to his departure.

Webb was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Thursday.

Webb was acquired from Arizona in exchange for cash considerations when Collin McHugh hit the COVID-19 injured list in early June. With McHugh now healthy again, he'll exit the active and 40-man rosters. Despite spending nine days with the team, Webb didn't appear in a single game.

Atlanta reinstated McHugh (illness) from the COVID-19-related injured list Thursday.

Fellow reliever Jacob Webb was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man and 26-man active rosters for McHugh, who had been sidelined since June 7 after testing positive for the virus. Now that he's healthy again, The 34-year-old should reclaim a middle relief/setup role in front of closer Kenley Jansen. McHugh generated a 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 25:5 K:BB in 23.2 innings prior to landing on the IL.

The Pirates optioned Wilson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

As expected, Wilson was up with the Pirates for only one day after he was needed to make a spot start in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals. Even though Wilson appeared to make strides over his three starts at Triple-A prior to his call-up, the young right-hander once again struggled in his return to the majors. He covered five innings in the Pirates' 9-1 loss and was blasted for seven earned runs on 10 hits and a walk.

Scott (2-2) took the loss and blew his first save of the season Wednesday as the Marlins were downed 3-1 by the Phillies, giving up three runs on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. Both outs came on strikeouts.

Called in to close out a combined shutout, Scott instead put two runners aboard before serving up a walkoff homer to backup catcher Garrett Stubbs. Scott hadn't allowed an earned run in June prior to Wednesday's stumble, but his 5.04 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 39:13 K:BB through 25 innings on the season make it tough to count on him holding down the closer job in Miami for the long haul.

Castano didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Phillies, allowing five hits and two walks over 6.2 scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Making his first big-league start of the season and first appearance for Miami in nearly a month, the southpaw baffled the Phillies over 105 pitches (72 strikes) and was in line for the win until Tanner Scott melted down in the ninth inning. Castano almost certainly earned another turn in the rotation with this performance, but his 4.82 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 28 innings for Triple-A Jacksonville this season are warning signs his success may not last long.

Hicks (forearm) felt great after a 30-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and will likely begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis later this week, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Hicks has been on the shelf since May 26, but he's completed two bullpen sessions since Sunday. Denton adds that Hicks is likely to serve as a reliever during his rehab assignment, which would line him up to return to the big-league bullpen once he's activated from the injured list. If that's what happens, expect rookie Andre Pallante to maintain his place in the rotation until Steven Matz (shoulder) is able to return. Hicks logged a 5.02 ERA and 29:20 K:BB across 28.2 innings in nine appearances (seven starts) before he landed on the injured list, but he's previously served as a high-leverage reliever in the majors in past seasons.

Brebbia (3-1) allowed a run on one hit in one inning to take the loss Wednesday versus the Royals.

Brebbia allowed a double to Andrew Benintendi in the eighth inning, and he ultimately got home on a Whit Merrifield sacrifice fly. This ended Brebbia's 4.2-inning scoreless streak to begin June. The right-hander has a 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 24:7 K:BB and four holds across 27.1 innings this year, serving as a mid-leverage option.

Kilian (0-1) took the loss during Wednesday's 19-5 defeat at the hands of the Padres, allowing five runs on five hits and five walks in four innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

Kilian settled down after permitting two runs in the first but couldn't close out the fourth, ultimately surrendering three runs after retiring the first two Padres to fall in line for the loss. The 25-year-old had trouble finding the zone with only 45 of his 86 pitches going for strikes and just three of the swinging variety. Through two starts, Kilian has surrendered eight runs across nine innings with six strikeouts while allowing 15 baserunners. He figures to stick with the team for at least one more start as Chicago has been dealing with injuries to the rotation.