MLB Player News

Borucki (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Borucki graduated to facing live hitters over the weekend and will now head to the minor leagues after experiencing no issues following his latest session of live BP. The 30-year-old southpaw has been on the injured list since early April and is aiming to return to Pittsburgh's bullpen ahead of the All-Star break.

Neris worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Mets. He struck out two.

Neris was still a little shaky, but this was a step in the right direction after he allowed seven earned runs over 2.2 innings and blew two saves in his last three outings. The veteran worked the end of the game Saturday, though it wasn't a save opportunity, and Colten Brewer was the pitcher tapped for the team's last save chance in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants. Neris is likely still the closer in Chicago moving forward, but his margin for error has shrunk.

The Phillies recalled Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Mercado will take over the spot on the 26-man active roster that previously belonged to right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. A 25-year-old right-hander, Mercado has started in 10 of his 14 appearances for Lehigh Valley this season, compiling a 1.71 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 44:23 K:BB over 47.1 innings. Mercado will be utilized out of the Philadelphia bullpen for now, with Spencer Turnbull lined up to start Wednesday against the Tigers as a replacement in the rotation for Walker, per Paul Casella of MLB.com.

Suarez picked up a one-out save in a win over the Brewers on Saturday night while not allowing any hits or walks.

Suarez likely wasn't expecting to make an appearance with the Padres up 6-0 to open the ninth, but things changed quickly when Brice Turang launched a grand slam off Jhony Brito to bring Milwaukee back within two runs with two outs in the frame. However, Suarez was able to put out the fire, retiring William Contreras on a groundout to end the game and secure his 19th save of the season. Suarez has not allowed any hits or walks over his last two appearances after suffering his only blown save of the year against the Phillies on June 18. In fact, he's issued only one walk over his last nine outings.

The Diamondbacks recalled Hughes from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

It marks the third time this season Hughes has been called up to the big club. He wasn't particularly effective over the last three games of his second stint, allowing eight runs on 11 hits (including three home runs) and five walks while striking out three over 5.1 frames. Hughes will be added to Arizona's bullpen, with southpaw Tommy Henry optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

Chapman gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Rays. He struck out one.

David Bednar is dealing with some tightness in his side and was unavailable, leaving ninth-inning duties to his 36-year-old set-up man. Chapman walked the first batter he faced before surrendering an RBI double to Yandy Diaz, but the southpaw got Isaac Paredes to ground out to end the threat. Chapman has been scored upon only twice in his last 10 appearances, posting a 1.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB through 9.2 innings over that stretch. Bednar's injury isn't considered serious, but Chapman should handle closing duties until he's ready to return.

Anderson (0-2) took the loss against Seattle on Saturday, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and no walks while striking out three batters over 3.1 innings.

Anderson fell behind 2-0 after one inning but was able to bounce back with a pair of scoreless frames. Things really fell apart for him in the fourth, as the Mariners opened the inning with four straight hits and chased Anderson with one out in the frame. The right-hander got the start Saturday due to Jesus Luzardo landing on the injured list with a back injury, but it's uncertain whether he'll be called upon to be Luzardo's replacement for additional turns through the rotation. Anderson hasn't really earned that role given his 11.42 ERA and 2.77 WHIP through 8.2 innings on the season.

Bird was taken out of Saturday's game against the Nationals with a groin injury, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Bird had allowed one run on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning before he was checked out by trainers and removed from the contest. While the severity of the groin injury is unclear, it's at least a small positive that his removal wasn't related to the elbow inflammation that sidelined him for almost a month.

Howard was charged with three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk over one inning of relief in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs. He recorded three strikeouts.

After making both of his previous two appearances as a starter, Howard was deployed out of the bullpen behind opening pitcher Erik Miller. Miller left the game after pitching the first inning, then Spencer Bivens, Sean Hjelle and Taylor Rogers worked innings two through six before Howard entered the game in the top of the seventh. Though he worked just one frame, Howard tossed 33 pitches and should remain fairly stretched out if the Giants need to turn to him for a start or a bulk-relief appearance during the team's four-game series against the Cubs to begin the upcoming week. The Giants currently have just two healthy full-time starters (Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks).

Bednar was unavailable for Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rays due to left side tightness, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bednar missed out on a save chance Saturday as Aroldis Chapman stepped up in the ninth to close out the win. Bednar's absence was planned after he felt the tightness during his pregame throwing program, but the injury isn't considered to be serious at this point. If he ends up missing more than just Saturday's game, expect Chapman to continue to see save chances.