MLB Player News

Johnson was called up from Double-A Rocket City, and he will start Thursday's contest on the mound against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Johnson will replace Jose Soriano (chest) on the mound in the series opener versus the A's, and he'll be making his second major-league start of the year. The 23-year-old has posted an inflated 15.12 ERA and 2.64 WHIP with five strikeouts over 8.1 innings in four appearances, including a start, with the Angels this season. After he was sent down to Double-A in late May, he produced a far more respectable 2.65 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with 21 punchouts over 17 frames in three starts. Johnson will look to produce at a level closer to his Double-A form against the Athletics.

Drohan didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Guardians, allowing a run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

It was a strong outing overall for Drohan, with Cleveland's lone run against the left-hander coming on a David Fry homer in the third inning. Overall, Drohan sports a 3.40 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and 47:14 K:BB across 47.2 innings as a swingman for Milwaukee this season. He'll likely return to the bullpen when Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) is ready to rejoin the rotation.

Smith earned the save in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Brewers, working around a pair of walks while striking out two across 1.1 scoreless innings.

After entering the game with two outs in the eighth inning, Smith issued a walk to load the bases before striking out Christian Yelich. He'd then turn in a scoreless ninth, earning his league-leading 24th save. Smith has now converted 21 straight save chances, allowing just four earned runs over 25 innings in that span. His ERA is down to 2.38 with a 1.06 WHIP and 51:8 K:BB across 34 innings this season.

Fluharty turned in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

With Louis Varland, Jeff Hoffman and Tyler Rogers all having pitched in Toronto's previous two games, it was Fluharty who got the call with a one-run lead in the ninth inning Thursday. The southpaw made quick work of the heart of Boston's order, retiring the side on five pitches. Fluharty has been solid out of Toronto's pen this season -- he's allowed just three runs in his last 18.2 innings. Overall, he sports a 3.64 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 29.2 innings this season.

Acton (shoulder) resumed throwing off a mound last week, MLB.com reports.

While the activity marks a step forward for Acton as he recovers from a right shoulder strain, Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said Friday that the 28-year-old still has "a long road ahead of him" before returning from the 60-day injured list. Acton made four relief appearances for Minnesota and surrendered five runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out nine batters over 6.2 innings before landing on the IL on April 28.

Hudson will serve as the opening pitcher in Thursday's game versus the Yankees.

Hudson will get an inning or two before turning things over to bulk reliever Sean Burke. The left-hander has struggled so far in June, getting scored upon in three of five appearances.

The Phillies selected Wilson's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Wilson hasn't been great at Lehigh Valley, authoring a 6.29 ERA and 58:21 K:BB over 54.1 frames. The 28-year-old will provide bullpen protection after the Phillies had to use six relievers and a position player on the mound in Wednesday's loss to the Marlins. Wilson is also a candidate to fill the rotation spot vacated by Andrew Painter's demotion, depending on how he's utilized in the coming days.

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

Johnson has been on a roll with Lehigh Valley this season, posting a 1.33 ERA and 40:10 K:BB over 27 innings. He's struggled for consistency at the major-league level with an 8.68 ERA over 14 outings, so the Phillies are likely to use him in low-leverage spots initially.

The Phillies optioned Banks to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Though he's struck out 31 in 27.2 innings this season, Banks has also issued 13 walks while holding a 5.86 ERA and 1.92 WHIP. He'll try to get straightened out at Lehigh Valley.

The Cardinals designated Roycroft for assignment Thursday.

The transaction clears space on the 40-man roster for the addition of Max Rajcic. Roycroft has flashed promise in spurts for the Cardinals but holds an unsightly 6.41 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 52:37 K:BB over 60.1 innings covering parts of three big-league seasons.