MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Johnson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Johnson's stay in Philadelphia will last just one start, as he'll head back to Triple-A after he was lit up for nine earned runs over 2.1 innings during his MLB debut in Sunday's 10-1 loss to the Marlins. The Phillies recalled left-hander Tyler Gilbert to provide some extra coverage in the bullpen in the short term, but it's not immediately clear whom Philadelphia might turn to as Johnson's replacement in the rotation.

Senzatela allowed five earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five across 3.2 innings to take the loss in a rehab outing Sunday with Double-A Hartford.

Senzatela took a step back in his results in the shaky outing, but he also ramped up to 68 pitches. That was the highest mark of his five rehab starts, and he appears to be on track for activation from the 60-day injured list perhaps as soon as next weekend.

Tong received a promotion from High-A Brooklyn to Double-A Binghamton on Sept. 1.

Tong made his Binghamton debut Thursday, and it went about as well as possible, with the right-hander striking out nine over six no-hit, scoreless innings. The promotion was the third of the season for Tong, who has compiled 2.87 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 155:43 K:BB over 109.2 innings across stops with Binghamton, Brooklyn and Single-A St. Lucie.

Williams (elbow) will make a rehab start for Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday and remains confident he'll pitch again for the Nationals before the end of the season, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander is expected to throw about four innings and build up to 65-to-70 pitches Tuesday. Nationals manager Dave Martinez hinted that Williams might need to make a second rehab start before being activated from the 60-day injured list, with 80 pitches as the target. Williams landed on the IL after a May 30 start against Atlanta due to a right flexor strain, but the pending free agent was having an outstanding campaign to that point, posting a 5-0 record in 11 starts with a 2.22 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 47:16 K:BB through 56.2 innings. He could return to the Washington rotation for a road series against the Cubs that runs Sept. 19 through 22.

Blackburn (hand) is no longer in line to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Monday's game in Toronto, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets will give a spot start to Tylor Megill instead. Blackburn could be pushed back a day to start Tuesday in Toronto, though the team has not yet confirmed as much. He has missed the last two weeks with a right hand bruise but tossed 6.2 innings of one-run ball in a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse last week.

Megill will start Monday's game in Toronto, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Paul Blackburn (hand) had been slated to come off the 15-day injured list to start Monday, but the Mets have elected to give the ball to Megill instead. Megill will be pitching on normal rest after yielding three runs over four innings in a start last week against the Red Sox. He could be moved to the bullpen following Monday's outing.

Weathers (finger) covered 2.2 innings in his second rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Jacksonville, striking out five while giving up four runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks.

After making his first rehab start at Single-A Jupiter this past Tuesday, Weathers jumped up a few rungs on the minor-league ladder for his second outing. He tossed 64 pitches (39 strikes) in the appearance, but the Marlins have yet to decide on Weathers' next step. He'll presumably be evaluated over the next day or two before Miami decides whether he'll be ready to return from the 60-day injured list to make his next start with the Marlins, or if he'll remain on assignment in the minors for one more outing.

Peralta (10-8) allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against Colorado.

Peralta coughed up a home run to Hunter Goodman in the third inning and was charged with two more runs when Sam Hilliard took Hoby Milner deep for a three-run blast in the fifth. It was Peralta's first loss since Aug. 12; he entered Sunday's start with a 1.61 ERA and a 3-0 record over his previous four starts. Peralta still generated an impressive 18 swinging strikes despite his lackluster outing. He'll carry a 3.81 ERA into his next matchup, which is lined up to be in Arizona.

Freeland (5-7) allowed one unearned run on three hits over six innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Brewers.

Freeland coughed up a run in the first inning but allowed only one other runner to reach scoring position for the remainder of his outing. He's allowed two or fewer earned runs in four straight starts, producing a 1.90 ERA during that span. he improved his season K:BB to 76:24 through 96 innings and has not walked a batter in two straight outings. Freeland owns a 4.97 ERA on the year, but without factoring in his first two starts of 2024, he's registered a 3.59 ERA over his last 16 starts. His next appearance is lined up to be at home against the Cubs.

Verlander (3-5) took the loss Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing eight runs on eight hits and a walk over three innings.

Seven of the runs Verlander let up came off the bat of Pavin Smith, who took Verlander deep in the second for three runs and then again in the third for a grand slam. The Astros have now lost five straight starts by Justin Verlander. Over his last three starts, he's allowed 17 runs over 12.2 innings while managing a 6:6 K:BB. He isn't missing many bats as of late, and that was the case again Sunday. He registered just two whiffs on his fastball and none with any of his secondary pitches. The 41-year-old now owns a 5.30 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 63:24 K:BB in 74.2 innings and will look to try and bounce back against the Angels over the weekend.