MLB Player News

Spiers will start for the Reds on Sunday against the Cubs in what will be his major-league debut, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds' pitching staff has been hit hard by COVID-19, so Spiers will be pressed into a starting role just two days after receiving his first MLB call-up. Though he held a 3.69 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with a 106:41 K:BB over 83 innings this season at Double-A Chattanooga, Spiers isn't a recommended streaming option Sunday.

Adam will be placed on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Adam last pitched on Sunday, and it's not clear whether he suffered the injury then or on another occasion. Either way, he's slated to miss the next couple weeks of action, which is a major blow to the Rays' bullpen. Pete Fairbanks blew a save Saturday but should have a tight grip on the closer job while Adam is out.

The Reds added Phillips to the active roster Saturday to replace Brandon Williamson (illness).

With Williamson landing on the COVID-19 IL on Saturday, Phillips will come up from the minors for his first stint in the big leagues. The Reds also placed Graham Ashcraft (toe) on the 15-day injured list Saturday, allowing Phillips to fill the open starting rotation spot Wednesday against Seattle.

The Mets optioned Reyes to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Reyes had a good showing during his spot start Wednesday, but he'll head back to Triple-A as the Mets opt to boost their bullpen by calling up Grant Hartwig. Reyes holds a 6.23 ERA and 1.50 WHIP through 17 innings in the majors and would likely only return to the big-league club for depth purposes.

The Mets recalled Hartwig from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Hartwig has allowed four runs in three innings with Syracuse since being optioned Aug. 18. Nonetheless, he'll come up from the minors to give the Mets a fresh bullpen arm, replacing Denyi Reyes.

Burdi (abdomen) resumed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Burdi's rehab assignment was paused last week due to ulnar nerve irritation in his right arm, but he's now ready to rejoin Iowa and is expected to pitch in a game Sunday. He'll likely make a couple of appearances in Triple-A before returning to Chicago.

Hughes (knee) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hughes has been on the injured list since June while recovering from a procedure on his left knee. He began throwing off a mound Aug. 15 and started facing hitters again Monday, and he's now set for the final stage of his recovery process. Hughes will likely need to make multiple appearances in the minors before returning to Chicago's bullpen.

Bernardino (illness) rejoined the Red Sox in Kansas City on Saturday and could be activated from the COVID-19 injured list, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Bernardino has already spent the minimum seven days on the COVID-19 IL and is eligible for activation beginning Saturday. The lefty reliever turned in a 2.84 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, eight strikeouts and one win in 11 August appearances.

The Cardinals transferred Zuniga (forearm) to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

A right forearm strain forced Zuniga onto the IL on Sunday, so his move to the 60-day IL will officially put an end to his season. The 24-year-old righty gave up one run in two innings with the Cardinals, and he logged a 7.63 ERA and 1.72 WHIP through 30.2 frames in Triple-A this season. Mike Siani was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati to fill Zuniga's 40-man roster spot.

Rosenberg is starting Monday's game at home against the Orioles, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels are still hoping to avoid using their starters on four days' rest, per Fletcher, and they don't have an off day until Sept. 14; therefore, Rosenberg may get a few more starts beyond Monday. He has given up five earned runs with seven walks and seven strikeouts over seven frames in two big-league appearances this season and had a 7.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 33 strikeouts over 25 innings in his five most recent Pacific Coast League starts.