MLB Player News

Middleton (forearm) will get a second opinion from a specialist Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Middleton underwent an MRI on Friday after being checked out by team doctors and it appears he may be dealing with a significant injury to his throwing arm. Season-ending surgery has yet to be ruled out, though even if he avoids surgery, Middleton could have to start over after being close to returning from the 15-day IL just days before reporting the injury. Regardless, there should be more clarity regarding Middleton's status in the coming days.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Merryweather (ribs) will not return until after the All-Star break, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Merryweather has been on the IL since early April due to a rib stress fracture in his back. He's only a couple weeks into his throwing program, but the Cubs have already determined that it will take at least another month-and-a-half to get the 32-year-old reliever ready for game action. As Merryweather continues to check off boxes in his rehab process, a more exact return date should emerge.

Snider was called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

Snider will return to the major-league bullpen for the first time since April 8, replacing Gabe Speier (shoulder) on the 26-man roster after Speier was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday. Snider has appeared in three games with Seattle in 2024, surrendering two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two over three innings.

Speier was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left rotator cuff strain Saturday, retroactive to May 30, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Speier last appeared in a game May 29, allowing one hit while striking out a batter over two-thirds of an inning against the Astros. Considering it's his throwing shoulder, Speier may be forced to miss extended time. In a corresponding move, the Mariners called up right-hander Collin Snider from Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.

The Brewers recalled Junk from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Junk will come up from the minors to fill the open spot in Milwaukee's pitching staff following the demotion of Tobias Myers to Triple-A on Saturday. Junk made three appearances for the Brewers during his first big-league stint this season, giving up five earned runs over five innings. He's turned in a 2.45 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with Nashville since being sent back down, but he will likely be limited to low-leverage work in the majors. The 28-year-old righty also has experience as a starter, opening the door for a potential spot start if Joe Ross (back) isn't able to return from the injured list when eligible June 5.

Romano (elbow) had an MRI on his right elbow Friday night, which didn't reveal any structural damage, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano was placed on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his throwing elbow, but he appears to have avoided a significant injury. The 31-year-old will be shut down from throwing for a few days before Toronto will determine what direction the team will go from there. Yimi Garcia is considered the frontrunner to operate as the closer for the Blue Jays in Romano's absence.

The Phillies transferred Covey (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday.

Covey has been on the IL since the beginning of the season due to a right shoulder strain, so his move to the 60-day IL has no effect on his return date. The transaction does, however, open a spot on Philadelphia's 40-man roster for right-hander Freddy Tarnok, whom Philadelphia claimed off waivers from Oakland on Saturday.

The Phillies claimed Tarnok (hip) off waivers from Oakland on Saturday. The Phillies reinstated him from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Tarnok has been on the injured list all season while recovering from a hip procedure he underwent in August. He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on May 8 and allowed 11 earned runs in just 7.1 innings before Oakland removed him from its 40-man roster. He'll remain in Triple-A upon making a full recovery and shifting to a new organization, though a drastic turnaround in performance would likely be necessary before Tarnok spends any time in Philadelphia. Dylan Covey (shoulder) was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Tarnok.

The Padres recalled Gillaspie from Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

With Yu Darvish (groin) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) both headed for the injured list, Gillaspie and Randy Vasquez will come up from the minors to fill the openings in San Diego's pitching staff. Gillaspie has appeared in two games for the Padres this year, throwing 2.2 shutout innings, but he has posted a 5.17 ERA and 1.51 WHIP through 15.2 frames in Triple-A. He will likely be limited to low-leverage situations while with the big-league club.

Morris was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following the Yankees' 6-2 win over San Francisco on Friday.

Morris was called up Thursday, failing to appear in a contest out of the bullpen before being sent back down to Triple-A. The right-hander will now have to wait for his next chance to join the major-league roster. In a corresponding move, Cody Poteet was recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and will start Saturday's contest versus the Giants.