MLB Player News

Blackburn (shoulder) struck out three and allowed two earned runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings Saturday in his rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse.

Blackburn has now compiled a 2.21 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB in 20.1 innings over four rehab starts between stops with Syracuse and the rookie-level Florida Complex League. He's been on the shelf since July 3 due to a right shoulder impingement but has been fully stretched out for over a week now, as he built up to 87 pitches in his previous rehab start before tossing 93 on Saturday. His delayed activation from the 15-day injured list seems to be a result of the Mets buying some time to decide whether he'll be part of the rotation or bullpen upon his return, and Blackburn's odds of returning as a starter may have increased after Sunday's 12-4 loss to the Giants. Frankie Montas was battered for seven earned runs in four innings in the loss and now holds a 6.68 ERA over seven starts on the season, perhaps putting him at risk of losing his spot in the rotation.

Megill (elbow) threw about 22 pitches in a live batting practice session Sunday at Citi Field, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Megill has now reached another major milestone in his recovery from a right elbow sprain by facing hitters for the first time since landing on the injured list June 17. The right-hander will likely throw another two-inning simulated live BP on Thursday and perhaps another sim game after that before the Mets map out a minor-league rehab assignment for him. The Mets will presumably let Megill get stretched out for a starting role during his assignment, but it's unclear if the big club will actually have a spot available for him in the rotation by the time he's eligible for activation in the middle of August.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Bohm (rib) fielded ground balls and hit in the batting cage prior to Sunday's game against the Tigers, MLB.com reports.

Thomson noted that Bohm is pain-free as he works his way back from a fractured left rib and is drawing closer to beginning a rehab assignment. Since Bohm was placed on the injured list July 19, the Phillies have been getting by with a combination of Otto Kemp and Edmundo Sosa at third base.

Suzuki went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Orioles.

Suzuki came into the contest 0-for-8 with three strikeouts over his last three games, but he managed to snap out of his mini slump with his first two-hit effort since July 18. Despite the recent downturn in production, the outfielder is still having a strong season with 26 home runs, 82 RBI and an .822 OPS across 107 games. The homers and RBI are both new career bests for Suzuki.

Manager Brian Snitker said after Sunday's 4-2 win over the Reds in the MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol, Tenn. that Riley (abdomen) will be evaluated in the next day or two before Atlanta decides whether he requires a stint on the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

After striking out in his lone plate appearance in the game that first started Saturday before it was resumed in the bottom of the first inning Sunday, Riley played two innings in the field before he was lifted for pinch hitter Luke Williams the next time his turn in the batting order came up in the top of the third. Atlanta later relayed that Riley was pulled from the game due to lower abdominal pain, an injury he appeared to suffer when he made a diving tag on Elly De La Cruz to prevent a run in the bottom of the first. Given that Riley was previously on the IL from July 12 through July 25 due to a lower abdominal strain, Riley could be dealing with a related setback that will result in another multi-week shutdown. If Atlanta decides to deactivate Riley, Nacho Alvarez would likely be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to take over as the team's everyday third baseman.

Turner appeared as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Orioles.

Turner pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth inning and blasted off against Baltimore reliever Keegan Akin to give the Cubs a walk-off win. It was a nice moment for the veteran infielder, though he has mostly struggled this year with a .217 batting average, .617 OPS and three home runs across 58 games. Turner has been mainly relegated to occasional playing time against lefties, which limits his fantasy upside.

Lord (2-6) took the loss Sunday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks across 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

The Brewers got to Lord early Sunday, scratching out a run in the first inning before Brice Turang launched a two-run homer in the second. The 25-year-old Lord had allowed just two runs over 9.1 innings in his previous two outings. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.42 with a 1.23 WHIP and 65:26 K:BB across 79 innings in a swing role this year. Lord is tentatively lined up to face the Giants on the road in his next start.

Palencia (1-2) allowed a run on two hits across an inning of work but managed to earn the win in Sunday's 5-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out one.

Staked to a 3-2 lead to begin the top of the ninth inning, Palencia allowed a run to blow his second save this season in 17 chances. However, he minimized the damage from there and managed to record his first win of the year when the Cubs scored twice in the bottom of the inning. Palencia has been lights-out for Chicago, compiling a 1.55 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 43 strikeouts across 40.2 innings, and he's emerged as the clear top closer for a Cubs team sitting 19 games above .500, giving him plenty of fantasy value in his role.

Henderson did not factor into the decision in Sunday's win over the Nationals, allowing a run on three hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Henderson was impressive overall Sunday, blanking Washington through his first four innings, though the Brewers pulled the right-hander after he gave up a run on back-to-back hits in the fifth. Henderson has been excellent in his brief time in the majors this season, posting a 1.78 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB across 25.1 innings. He should remain in the rotation for at least a couple more turns with Jacob Misiorowski (lower leg) landing on the IL. Henderson is currently in line to face the Reds on the road in his next outing.

Turang went 2-for-6 with a pair of two-run homers in Sunday's 14-3 win over the Nationals.

Turang extended Milwaukee's lead to 3-0 in the second inning with a blast off Brad Lord before launching a second homer in the seventh off Ryan Loutos. The 26-year-old Turang is up to eight home runs this season, setting a new career high. He's swung the bat well in 13 games since the All-Star break, going 16-for-55 (.291) with an .831 OPS. Overall, Turang is slashing .276/.342/.386 with 65 runs scored, 49 RBI and 19 stolen bases across 452 plate appearances this season.