MLB Player News

Junis (shoulder) will throw a four-inning simulated game Wednesday in Arizona, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Junis made a 2.1-inning rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Nashville, but his velocity wasn't where he and the Brewers hoped. If his velocity bounces back during Wednesday's simulated game, it's possible he could be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list next week. Junis has been sidelined since early April, first with a right shoulder impingement and then with a head injury that occurred when he was hit by a ball during batting practice. The Brewers could have a spot in their injury-ravaged rotation available for Junis once he returns from the IL, though the team may prefer to ease him back into the mix in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen.

The Royals optioned Klein to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Kansas City will swap Klein out of its bullpen for right-hander Dan Altavilla, whose contract was selected from Omaha ahead of Monday's game against the Yankees. Klein was unlikely to be available out of the bullpen for at least a couple of days anyway after he had given up two runs on six hits and two walks over 2.2 innings between relief appearances Friday and Sunday versus the Mariners.

Lawrence (shoulder) faced hitters at Target Field on Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Lawrence is working his way back from a a right shoulder strain. He's eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list at any point, and while his return would appear to be imminent, the Rockies may first ask him to go out on a rehab assignment.

Muller (shoulder) began a throwing program Thursday, MLB.com reports.

The next step for Muller will be to progress to throwing off a mound, but a timetable for such has yet to be established. The right-hander appears to be making fairly steady progress, however, so he could be set for activation well before the end of June.

Erceg (forearm) threw a successful bullpen session Sunday and is in line to be activated during the Athletics' road trip that begins Monday, MLB.com reports.

Erceg came out of his 20-pitch session feeling healthy, his second bullpen in a span of four days. With the right-hander eligible to come off the injured list Wednesday, it's possible he's activated that same day, if not soon thereafter.

Adams (0-2) took the extra-inning loss against the Blue Jays on Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on a hit, three walks, and a hit batsman over one inning. He struck out one and also uncorked a wild pitch.

Adams' one frame was about as frenetic as his final line implies, with the right-hander eventually surrendering a bases-clearing double to Isiah Kiner-Falefa that snapped the 3-3 tie the veteran reliever had been entrusted with preserving. Adams has now allowed at least one run in three of his last four appearances, a stretch that was preceded by seven consecutive scoreless outings.

Estevez (1-3) got the win over the Astros on Sunday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning and striking out a batter in the process.

Estevez was tasked with preserving a tie game, and did so without any trouble, sending the Astros hitters down in order on 12 pitches. He wound up as the winning pitcher after the Angels walked it off in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a two-run homer from Logan O'Hoppe. Estevez now has four consecutive scoreless appearances during which he's compiled three saves and a win. For the year, the 31-year-old has 10 saves to go with a 4.05 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB in 20 innings.

Hader (3-4) took the loss Sunday against the Angels after allowing two runs on two hits while striking out a batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Hader faced five total batters but only was able to record two outs. He entered with two outs in the eighth and got out of the frame. He then returned for the ninth to try and preserve a 7-7 tie and was unable to do so. Hader retired the first batter he faced but then allowed a base hit and a walk-off two-run homer to Logan O'Hoppe. It was Hader's first time allowing multiple runs in an outing since April 15 and his first loss since May 5. It's now been a full week since Hader's picked up his last save, and he sits at nine for the year after tallying 30-plus in each of his last four full seasons. He owns a 4.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 46:10 K:BB in 28.2 innings thus far.

Suarez is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Suarez made 58 starts for the Angels over the past five seasons, but after losing out in a battle for a rotation spot in spring training, he's been working exclusively as a reliever in 2024 and has posted a 6.54 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 34:20 K:BB in 31.2 innings. He won't be moving into the rotation on merit, but he'll nonetheless slot into the starting spot that had been previously occupied by the struggling Reid Detmers, who was recently demoted to Triple-A Salt Lake. Even if Suarez acquits himself well in a starting role Tuesday, he could be headed back to the bullpen immediately thereafter with Chase Silseth (elbow) nearing a return from the 60-day injured list.

Barnes (3-2) was credited with the win Sunday over Atlanta, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless inning of relief.

DJ Herz got the start but lasted only 4.1 innings, and Barnes was the next pitcher on the mound with the Nationals ahead 7-2. The 34-year-old right-hander has been inconsistent in a low-leverage role, posting a 4.35 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB through 20.2 innings, and he has zero holds or saves in 20 appearances.