MLB Player News

Verlander (pectoral) threw 35-to-40 pitches in a simulated game at Oracle Park on Friday and will be re-evaluated Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to a right pec strain. The veteran right-hander tossed two simulated innings Friday, facing batters for the first time since suffering the injury. The Giants will evaluate how the 42-year-old responds Saturday before determining his next steps. Verlander has posted a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB across 52 innings this season, going 0-3 across 10 starts.

Philadelphia recalled Robert from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Robert previously had a stint with the Phillies this season, allowing one run on two hits with a 2:3 K:BB over two-thirds of an inning in mid-May after being acquired in a trade with the Rangers on May 1. He's posted a 0.95 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with a 26:5 K:BB across 19 innings during his time in Triple-A and will get another shot to make an impression as part of the Phillies' bullpen. Fellow righty reliever Alan Rangel was optioned to Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

The Phillies selected Kemp's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Kemp has impressed at the Triple-A level this season, slashing .313/.416/.594 with 14 home runs, 19 doubles, 55 RBI, 49 runs and 11 stolen bases over 58 games. His versatility is also an asset, as Kemp has logged time at both corner-infield positions as well as at second base and in left field in the minors this season. His promotion comes as a corresponding move to Bryce Harper (wrist) landing on the injured list.

Ramirez went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Rays.

The rookie backstop took Zack Littell deep in the fourth inning to get the Marlins on the board. While Ramirez has slowed down at the plate since a blistering start to his career, he's avoided any prolonged slumps -- the 23-year-old hasn't gone more than two straight games without a hit since the beginning of May, slashing .244/.308/.429 over his last 30 contests with five of his eight homers and 14 of his 19 RBI.

The Phillies placed Harper on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to right wrist inflammation, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper sat out Friday's matchup versus Pittsburgh due to what was deemed soreness in his right wrist, and he's now set for a longer absence with a diagnosis of inflammation. The move is retroactive to June 6, so Harper will be eligible to return for the first contest of a three-game set against Miami on June 16, though it's unclear at this point if he'll be ready to return then. Philadelphia recalled Otto Kemp from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move Saturday.

The Cardinals optioned O'Brien to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

O'Brien was up as the 27th man during Thursday's doubleheader against the Royals, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings in the first game of the twin bill. The 30-year-old has thrived at Memphis this season with a 2.79 ERA and 32:8 K:BB in 19.1 frames and should get another opportunity with the big club sooner rather than later.

Hernandez isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Hernandez has been struggling at the plate of late, going 2-for-27 with 11 strikeouts over his past seven games. He'll get a day off his feet Saturday while Los Angeles is in the midst of a 13-day stretch without an off day. Hyeseong Kim is starting in center field against the Cardinals, and Andy Pages is sliding over to right field.

Bergert is slated to start Sunday's game against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Bergert will get at least one more turn through the San Diego rotation after he was summoned from Triple-A El Paso to make his first MLB start Tuesday. He acquitted himself well in a no-decision against the Giants, allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over five innings. Bergert will get a favorable draw in his second start of the week, facing a Milwaukee offense that has produced a 93 wRC+ against right-handed pitching since the start of May.

Nelson is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Nelson will pick up his fourth start of the season Saturday and could have an opportunity to stick around in the rotation for the remainder of 2025 with Corbin Burnes (elbow) set to undergo Tommy John surgery next week. Since being lit up by the Cubs for five earned runs while recording just two outs in an April 18 game, Nelson has pitched to a 1.72 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB in 31.1 innings.

Johnson (1-2) took the loss Friday against the Giants, allowing an unearned run on one hit over one inning.

After Dylan Lee recorded the first two outs in the ninth inning with the score tied 4-4, Johnson entered the game and gave up a single to Tyler Fitzgerald but promptly picked him off at first base. The right-hander wasn't so fortunate in the 10th, however -- with Fitzgerald at second as the phantom runner, Johnson watched him advance to third on a one-out groundout, and then bounced a curveball well wide of the plate that Sean Murphy couldn't corral to bring home the winning run. Raisel Iglesias appears to be on very thin ice as Atlanta's closer, but performances like this don't make a compelling case for Johnson to replace him. Over his last seven appearances, Johnson has a 6.00 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB in six innings with two losses and a blown save.