MLB Player News

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that he expects Turnbull (lat) to be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Turnbull suffered a right lat strain in his first start back in the Phillies' rotation Wednesday and was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. Given the pitcher's lengthy injury history, the team will proceed with extra caution. Michael Mercado will slide into the Philadelphia rotation for now, at least until Taijuan Walker (finger) is ready.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after Wednesday's game that Mercado would likely join the rotation if Spencer Turnbull (lat) needed to miss time, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Turnbull has since been placed on the 15-day injured list, so it would appear Mercado is set to join the Phillies' rotation next week. Mercado made one one-inning relief appearance earlier this week in his major-league debut, but he's been used mostly as a starter this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, collecting a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB over 47.1 frames covering 10 starts and four relief outings. The 25-year-old's first big-league start is tentatively lined up to come Tuesday in Chicago against the Cubs.

The Phillies recalled Marte from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Marte held a 2.70 ERA and 12:5 K:BB over 13.1 frames with the Phillies earlier this season before missing time with a shoulder issue. He will operate in middle relief.

The Phillies placed Turnbull (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right lat strain.

Turnbull had to depart Wednesday's start against the Tigers with right shoulder soreness. While the pitcher downplayed the injury after the game, subsequent testing revealed a lat strain. It's not yet clear how much time Turnbull might miss, but it's certainly the type of injury that could cost the right-hander several weeks. With Taijuan Walker (finger) also still out for a while, Michael Mercado could enter the Phillies' rotation.

Wesneski will remain in the Cubs' rotation following the injury to Javier Assad (forearm), Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Wesneski got a spot start Wednesday in San Francisco as the Cubs gave other members of their rotation some extra rest. However, with Assad landing on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Wesneski will stick in the rotation for the near future. He's tentatively lined up for two starts next week at home against the Phillies and Angels.

Roupp (undisclosed) made his third rehab appearance in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Wednesday, striking out four over two perfect innings.

Roupp has resided on Triple-A Sacramento's 7-day injured list since May 24 with an unspecified injury, but he looks to be close to a return to action in the Pacific Coast League. He's cruised through his first three outings in the ACL, punching out 12 while not issuing a walk and allowing just two hits over five shutout innings. The injury came at an unfortunate time for Roupp, who possesses a spot on the Giants' 40-man roster and might have been under consideration to join the injury-riddled big-league rotation had he been healthy.

Jackson (4-1) walked one over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Wednesday. He did not record a strikeout.

Hayden Birdsong went 4.2 innings in his debut and left with the game tied at 3-3. Jackson got the Giants out of the top of the fifth inning there, and Luis Matos put them ahead for a good with a solo shot in their half of the frame. Jackson had allowed five runs over 1.1 innings prior to Wednesday, and he's given up multiple runs three times in 10 appearances in June. Overall, he's struggled to a 6.12 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 20:14 K:BB through 25 innings while adding two holds and three blown saves in a low-leverage role this year.

The Cubs transferred Almonte (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Almonte suffered a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain this past week. He remains without an updated return timeline, but his move to the 60-day IL suggests the 30-year-old righty isn't expected back relatively soon. The Cubs signed Vinny Nittoli to an MLB deal Thursday to fill the open spot on the 40-man roster.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Roycroft will return to Memphis after he was called up ahead of the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with Atlanta to serve as the Cardinals' 27th man for the twin bill. He struck out two and collected his first career hold in a perfect inning out of the bullpen in the Cardinals' 4-1 win in Game 2.

Nittoli agreed to a one-year contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The Cubs will hope that Nittoli can bolster a bullpen that ranks 24th in the majors this season with a collective 4.52 ERA. The 33-year-old previously made seven appearances in the big leagues with the Athletics this season, logging a 2.25 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in eight innings prior to being moved off the 40-man roster and electing free agency last week.