MLB Player News

Megill (elbow) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The Mets had left open the possibility that Megill would return from the 60-day injured list and rejoin their rotation Friday against the Marlins, but they've elected to give the right-hander one more rehab start in order to extend his pitch count to around 80. Working his way back from a sprained UCL in his right elbow, Megill has been superb in three rehab outings between Syracuse and Double-A Binghamton, spinning 10 scoreless frames with a 17:2 K:BB.

Weathers (lat) is expected to make a three-inning rehab start Saturday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

If all goes well Saturday, Weathers is expected to make another start in the minors after that before returning from the 60-day injured list and slotting back into the Miami rotation before the middle of September. Weathers has been on the shelf since early June due to a strained left lat. The southpaw has been limited to just five starts for the Marlins this season but has collected a 3.28 ERA and 23:8 K:BB across 24.2 innings.

The Mets transferred Montas (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Jose Castillo, who was called up from Triple-A Syracuse. Montas has already been ruled out for the season with an injured UCL in his right elbow that could require Tommy John surgery.

Whisenhunt is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Cubs at Oracle Park.

Optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 12 after turning in a 5.02 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB in 14.1 innings through his first three MLB starts, Whisenhunt received a call back to the Giants less than two weeks later when an injury to Landen Roupp (knee) reopened a spot in the rotation. Whisenhunt took the hill Friday in Milwaukee and kept the Brewers off the board through the first three frames, but he struggled in his second turn through the batting order and was ultimately tagged for two earned runs on four hits, two walks and one hit batsman across four innings before being lifted from the contest. Despite Whisenhunt's poor numbers in the big leagues to date, he'll receive at least one more start while the Giants are short on quality alternatives at Triple-A to replace him in the rotation.

Gusto is listed as the Marlins' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against Atlanta in Miami.

Gusto got the call back to the big leagues Friday when a spot in the Miami rotation opened up, but the right-hander floundered in his start against the Blue Jays, covering six innings but allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk while failing to strike out a batter. Despite the poor showing, Gusto will receive another turn through the rotation, but he'll be a prime candidate to move to the bullpen or head back to Triple-A Jacksonville once Ryan Weathers (lat) is reinstated from the 60-day injured list at some point in September.

Tong could be a candidate to receive a call-up from Triple-A Syracuse to start Friday against the Marlins if the Mets elect to expand their rotation to six men, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Tong didn't get promoted to Triple-A until earlier this month, but in his first two starts at the level, he's fired 11.2 shutout innings while striking out 17 and allowing three walks. He leads all minor-league pitchers with 179 punchouts over 113.2 innings on the season and has done everything he can to prove he's ready for a look in the majors. With the Mets in a tight playoff race, the 22-year-old right-hander could provide the boost the team needs to get across the finish line. If the Mets opt not to call up Tong, the team could activate the rehabbing Tylor Megill (elbow) from the 60-day injured list to start Friday, which would buy an extra day of rest for David Peterson and Kodai Senga.

Megill (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Marlins at Citi Field, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The Mets will likely want to add a sixth starter this coming Friday in order to buy an extra day of rest for David Peterson and Kodai Senga, and while prospects Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong are also call-up candidates, Megill might make the most sense after an impressive effort during the third start of his rehab assignment this past Friday with Triple-A Syracuse. In the outing, Megill allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four and firing 39 of 65 pitches for strikes. If he does get activated to start Friday, it's not clear if Megill will remain in the rotation beyond that outing, asNolan McLean has pitched well in his first two big-league stats to make a case for a permanent stay with the Mets. Over 68.1 innings this season before being sidelined by an elbow sprain in mid-June, Megill compiled a 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 89:33 K:BB.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Sunday that Lowder (oblique) could return from the 60-day injured list before the end of the season, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Lowder has been shelved all season, first with a forearm injury and then with a severe oblique strain, but he's been throwing off a mound and is scheduled for two more bullpen sessions Tuesday and Friday before the Reds map out the next steps in his recovery. Francona suggested Sunday that the most important thing for Lowder is to enter the offseason knowing he's healthy, but the young righty still has a chance to help the big club late in the campaign.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that Burns (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Burns will throw off the mound for the first time since he was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 15 due to a Grade 1 right flexor strain. The rookie lacks a clear timeline to return from the IL, but the Reds could accelerate his activation if they elect to bring him back as a reliever.

Patrick did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Giants, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Patrick was impressive overall Sunday, logging seven strikeouts while holding San Francisco to just two runs on a Luis Matos homer in the second inning. The 27-year-old Patrick sports a 3.60 ERA this season with a 1.30 WHIP and 106:34 K:BB. Despite the strong outing from the right-hander, it remains to be seen whether the Brewers will stick with a six-man rotation. If not, Patrick will likely head back to Triple-A.