MLB Player News
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Paul Blackburn RP | NYY
Mets' Paul Blackburn: Will resume throwing next week
Blackburn (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing until early next week, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
The veteran right-hander landed on the injured list Thursday due to a shoulder impingement, but the Mets don't seem concerned about the severity of the issue. Blackburn could be ready to rejoin the roster in late July, but he may not have a rotation spot waiting for him if Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow/oblique) beat him back from the IL.
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Dedniel Nunez SP | NYM
Mets' Dedniel Nunez: Could be headed for Tommy John
Nunez (elbow) may require Tommy john surgery, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
While the Mets initially labeled Nunez's injury as a right elbow sprain when he was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, an MRI revealed more significant issues with his ligament. If he does end up needing Tommy John surgery, it would be the second such procedure in the 29-year-old right-hander's career. Given his history of arm trouble, expect the Mets to be cautious with Nunez's recovery, even if he avoids a worst-case scenario.
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Calvin Faucher RP | MIA
Marlins' Calvin Faucher: Collects fifth hold
Faucher gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning Thursday to record his fifth hold of the season in a win over the Twins.
Ronny Henriquez has picked up the Marlins' last three saves, and four of the team's last five, as he stakes a claim to the closer role. Faucher remains in the high-leverage mix, and the ninth-inning situation for Miami has been volatile all season, but for now it appears as though the 29-year-old righty has been bumped to setup duty. Through 32.1 innings this year, Faucher has compiled a 4.18 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB along with three wins and eight saves against four blown saves.
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Eury Perez SP | MIA
Marlins' Eury Perez: Dazzles in first win of 2025
Perez (1-2) picked up the win Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings in a 4-1 victory over the Twins. He struck out seven.
The 22-year-old right-hander didn't make his 2025 debut until June 9 as he completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and while he had a bumpy beginning to his season, Perez appeared to turn a corner Thursday. He tossed 51 of 80 pitches for strikes, including a massive 20 swinging strikes, and he topped out at 99.5 mph with his fastball. It was Perez's first MLB win since June 25, 2023, and he'll look to build on this success in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Cincinnati.
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Jameson Taillon SP | CHC
Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Out at least one month
The Cubs placed Taillon on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right calf strain, and manager Craig Counsell said the right-hander is expected to be sidelined over a month, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
It's unclear when exactly Taillon sustained the injury, but he surrendered 15 runs, including six homers, over his last three starts and failed to last five innings in any of them. The 33-year-old will be unavailable through at least the end of July but could be out longer, depending how his rehab progresses. Jordan Wicks was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move and should be in the mix to enter Chicago's starting rotation, as is Chris Flexen.
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Justin Hagenman SP | NYM
Mets' Justin Hagenman: Drawing start Friday
Hagenman is slated to start Friday's game against the Yankees at Citi Field, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The 28-year-old right-hander will be making his first MLB start Friday, after his prior two appearances with the Mets came in relief. Before he was recalled Thursday, Hagenman had been making regular turns in the Triple-A Syracuse rotation, posting a 6.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB in 42 innings. With a decent showing Friday, Hagenman could get another start next week, but he won't have much longevity in the big-league rotation with Sean Manaea (oblique/elbow) and Kodai Senga (hamstring) both nearing returns from the injured list.
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Nolan Arenado 3B | ARI
Cardinals' Nolan Arenado: Ready to go Friday
Arenado (finger) is starting at third base and batting sixth Friday against the Cubs.
The third baseman has been sidelined all week due to a sprained right index finger, but he'll rejoin the starting nine for Friday's series opener in Chicago. Arenado batted .275 (28-for-102) with three doubles, four homers, 14 RBI and 14 runs over 27 contests in June.
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Willson Contreras 1B | BOS
Cardinals' Willson Contreras: Back in action Friday
Contreras (wrist) is starting at first base and batting cleanup Friday against the Cubs.
Contreras was held out of the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates due to a left wrist contusion, but he's good to go following Thursday's team off day. The 33-year-old has been productive at the plate since the start of June with nine doubles, five homers and an .878 OPS in 28 games.
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Seth Johnson RP | PHI
Phillies' Seth Johnson: Called up Friday
The Phillies recalled Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander served as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres and delivered two scoreless frames. Johnson has allowed one run in four innings between his two big-league appearances this season.
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Mick Abel P | MIN
Phillies' Mick Abel: Demoted to Triple-A
The Phillies optioned Abel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Abel surrendered five runs over 1.2 frames during the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres and posted a 6.63 ERA over 19 innings since entering Philadelphia's rotation in early June. The Phillies could fill their open rotation spot with a bullpen game next week.