MLB Player News

Sanchez went 2-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Getting the start in right field and batting leadoff, Sanchez took Brad Lord deep in the seventh inning for his sixth homer of the season. Sanchez has been very productive to kick off the month of June, driving in at least one run in eight of 11 games with 12 total RBI to go along with four doubles, two home runs, six runs scored and a .286 batting average (12-for-42).

Faucher retired the only batter he faced in the ninth inning Saturday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Anthony Bender got the first crack at the save, taking the mound to begin the ninth inning with the Marlins ahead 4-1, but he coughed up two runs and left the bases loaded before getting the hook. Faucher, who tossed 21 pitches Friday to collect the save, needed only four (three strikes) this time around to get James Wood to pop out, although even that was an adventure -- Otto Lopez only secured the catch after colliding with Kyle Stowers in shallow left field. Faucher has successfully converted all five of his save chances with seven scoreless frames since May 28, and he's tightening his grip on the closer role for Miami.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Montes De Oca is set to undergo lower back surgery in the coming days, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Montes De Oca was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the week due to elbow inflammation, but his back was apparently a greater concern. A timeline for his return could be released once surgery is completed, but Lovullo noted that Montes De Oca could be sidelined for the rest of the season. He made just one appearance out of the Arizona bullpen before landing on the IL.

Junk (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, scattering two hits over 5.2 scoreless innings of relief in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The 29-year-old right-hander was the fourth Miami pitcher to take the mound on the afternoon, entering the game with one out and two men on in the third inning. Junk nearly tossed the equivalent of a quality start as the bulk reliever on just 64 pitches (42 strikes), retiring the first 10 batters he faced and not allowing a runner to get into scoring position. Junk has made five appearances this season, all out of the bullpen, and posted an impressive 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 20:2 K:BB in 22.2 innings. The Marlins are short a starting pitcher at the moment with Ryan Weathers (lat) and Max Meyer (hip) on the injured list, and they don't get another off day until June 23, so Junk seems likely to plug that rotation hole at some point next week, either in a traditional start or as a primary pitcher once again.

Edman isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

Edman will get a day to rest after going 0-for-3 during a loss in Friday's series opener. Hyeseong Kim will fill in at the keystone and bat ninth.

Heyward (oblique) began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Friday, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Heyward's appearance Friday was his first game action since May 22. The veteran outfielder landed on the injured list two days later due to a strained left oblique, and it's unclear how many games he'll play with El Paso before he's ready to be activated. Heyward slotted in as the DH during his first rehab contest, so the Padres may want him to play the field at least once before bringing him back to the big club.

King (shoulder) remains stalled in his throwing progression, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

Per MLB.com, Padres manager Mike Shildt said last week that King was "in a holding pattern" as the club assessed options for his treatment and next steps. Shildt added Friday that "until [King] can pick up a baseball and throw it consistently, there's really no planning." The right-handed hurler has been out of action due to right shoulder inflammation since late May, and he doesn't seem to be close to a return.

Hoeing (shoulder) began a new rehab assignment June 7, per MLB.com.

Hoeing first began a rehab stint in May, but he wasn't adequately built up by the end of that assignment, so he began another one shortly thereafter. The right-hander has thus far appeared in three games with Triple-A El Paso during his second minor-league stint, allowing three runs with a 5:2 K:BB over 3.1 innings. Hoeing has yet to pitch on back-to-back days, however, and that may be a requirement before San Diego is ready to activate him.

Swanson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.

Swanson took Pittsburgh reliever Ryan Borucki deep in the sixth inning, giving him 13 home runs on the season. The shortstop has been solid recently with a .278 batting average and two long balls across his last five games. Swanson should be able to surpass last season's total of 16 homers fairly soon if he stays healthy, and his career high of 27 long balls also remains well within reach.

Darvish (elbow) is expected to throw around 40 pitches in a simulated game Saturday, per MLB.com.

Darvish continues to inch toward his Padres season debut, with Saturday's scheduled sim game coming after he tossed multiple bullpen sessions in the early part of June. The veteran right-hander threw four innings in a minor-league rehab start with Double-A San Antonio on May 14, but he experienced some soreness afterward and temporarily halted his throwing program. The Padres have remained very patient with Darvish and appear content to allow the hurler take as much time as he needs to ramp up before he joins the big-league rotation, though a late-June or early July activation remains on the table.