MLB Player News

Mervis (oblique) was activated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.

Mervis missed just over three weeks while recovering from an oblique strain. He's been solid in five games since his return, going 5-for-16 with two home runs, three RBI, one stolen base and four runs scored.

Arizona optioned Morillo to Triple-A Reno following Sunday's 5-1 win over the Angels.

Morillo went unused Sunday, but he was roughed up in his relief appearance in Saturday's 10-5 loss, giving up four runs on five hits while striking out one over one inning. Arizona will likely wait until later in the week before announcing a corresponding roster move.

The Marlins announced July 7 that Tinoco (forearm) is continuing to make progress with his throwing program and could soon be cleared to throw bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.

Tinoco was able to resume playing catch just over a week after he was placed on the injured list June 6 due to a right forearm strain, but the Marlins have been bringing the right-hander along slowly in his recovery. As a one- or two-inning reliever, Tinoco won't require an extended rehab assignment, but since he has yet to get back on a mound, he shouldn't be expected to return from the IL until late July at the soonest.

Cruz (hip) provided an infield single in a pinch-hit appearance during Sunday's 2-1 win over the Twins.

The Pirates held Cruz out of the lineup for their final game before the All-Star break after he exited late in Saturday's 12-4 loss due to a hip flexor injury, but manager Don Kelly's decision to turn to the 26-year-old in the top of the ninth inning for a pinch-hit appearance suggests that his health isn't a major concern. Cruz remains in line to participate in Monday's Home Run Derby and should return to the Pittsburgh lineup when the team returns to action Friday against the White Sox.

Spiers (shoulder) struck out five and gave up one hit and four walks over 3.2 scoreless innings in his rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Though Spiers kept Columbus off the board during his start, he spotted just 39 of his 72 pitches for strikes in the outing, which was the third of his rehab assignment. On the shelf since April 20 due to a right shoulder impingement, Spiers appears to be close to fully stretched out at this point, but the Reds don't seem to have an opening for him in the big-league rotation. Spiers could be activated from the 60-day injured list coming out of the All-Star break to serve as a long-relief option for the big club, or the Reds could option him to Triple-A if they want to keep him in a starting role.

Amaya (oblique) will likely begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star break and is expected to need about a week's worth of games before returning to the Cubs, MLB.com reports.

Amaya has taken batting practice and completed a few bullpen catching sessions in his rehab work so far, but he's yet to see live game action since landing on the injured list with a left oblique injury on May 24. The backstop now appears to be one step closer to returning to the majors, and when he does, he'll compete with Carson Kelly for work behind the plate, though Kelly has played well this year and is likely to remain Chicago's No. 1 catcher for the time being. Amaya compiled a .280/.313/.505 slash line with four home runs and 25 RBI in 27 games before getting injured.

Lord has a 2.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB in 38.2 innings over 29 relief appearances this season.

The rookie right-hander made six starts earlier in the year with less impressive results, but since shifting to the bullpen Lord has found his groove. He's been even more effective since the beginning of June, delivering a 2.19 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over his last 24.2 innings while recording six of his seven holds on the season. He doesn't have the strikeout upside typical of high-leverage arms, but Lord could find himself in the closer picture for the Nationals if Kyle Finnegan gets shipped out at the trade deadline.

Rutledge coughed up four runs on four hits, including two home runs, over just one-third of an inning in Sunday's loss to the Brewers.

His lone out did come via strikeout, but it was still a rough way for the 26-year-old righty to end the first half. Rutledge boasted an ERA of 2.08 back on May 6 and looked like a potential high-leverage option for the Nationals' bullpen, but since then things have gone completely off the rails for the 2019 first-round pick. On the season, Rutledge carries a 6.92 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB through 40.1 innings, and he's served up an ugly 12 homers.

Mauricio has been putting in work in the batting cage with Juan Soto to try and improve his plate discipline, Will Sammon of the Athletic reports.

Chasing balls out of the zone is the biggest weakness for Mauricio, and he couldn't ask for a better tutor in the art of staying patient than Soto, who boasts a career .418 OBP in the majors. "He has been progressing really well," Soto said Sunday. "He's a really smart kid. He's been doing a really good job in the cage. He's trying to stop chasing a little bit, and he's doing it the past couple weeks with good takes, better decisions and swinging the bat well. He is on the right path." The numbers back up the superstar's assessment -- after a 2-for-4 showing in Sunday's loss to the Royals, Mauricio is slashing .302/.388/.512 over his last 14 games with three doubles, two homers, and a palatable 22.4 percent strikeout rate against a 12.2 percent walk rate. If the 24-year-old switch hitter continues to work the count and get better pitches to hit, he could be in line for a big second half, and potentially alleviate the need for the Mets to pursue an upgrade at third base before the trade deadline.

Bellozo carries a 3.55 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB through 50.2 innings over 17 appearances (five starts) going into the All-Star break.

The 25-year-old righty doesn't offer much strikeout upside, limiting his fantasy appeal, but he's been a rock for the Marlins in long relief over the last month. Bellozo hasn't allowed more than one run in an outing since June 13, and over his last 15 innings and seven appearances he sports a 1.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. If Miami trades away starting pitching before the deadline, Bellozo could get another crack at holding down a rotation spot.