MLB Player News

Nootbaar (oblique) is nearing a return and could rejoin the Cardinals as soon as Monday in Washington.

Nootbaar has been out since May 30 while recovering from a left oblique strain, but he appears to be on the cusp of being activated from the 15-day injured list. The outfielder went 6-for-23 with two home runs, three RBI and four runs scored over seven games during his rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield before returning to St. Louis.

The Marlins transferred Weathers (finger) to the 60-day injured list Sunday.

The left-hander has been shut down from throwing due to an index finger strain since he landed on the shelf June 8, so he was already likely to be sidelined for 60-plus days. Weathers is expected to be re-evaluated soon, and he could be back with the Marlins sometime in August if cleared to resume throwing after that evaluation.

The Marlins claimed McCaughan off waivers Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.

The 28-year-old signed with the Marlins in March but was traded to the Guardians in May, only to end up back in Miami after being designated for assignment by Cleveland. McCaughan has given up 14 earned runs in his three big-league outings between the two clubs this year, and he has a 5.50 ERA over 54 innings at the Triple-A level this year.

The Mets transferred Smith (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

The right-hander was diagnosed with a significant UCL tear in late June, so it's not a surprise he's been moved to the 60-day IL. Smith appears headed for Tommy John surgery but was expected to seek a second medical opinion before deciding his next steps.

Williams (back) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday at American Family Field, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Williams began throwing off a mound in late June, and it didn't take long for him to be cleared to face live hitters. The right-hander will require a minor-league rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 60-day injured list, though it's unclear how many outings he might need. The Brewers have been eyeing the July 30 trade deadline as a general target date for Williams' return.

Gibson (7-3) earned the win Sunday over the Nationals, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out eight.

Gibson got through the first five innings surrendering just two runs but allowed the first three hitters to reach in the sixth before getting pulled. The veteran has won three of his last four starts and has had quality starts in four of his last seven outings. The 36-year-old has helped stabilize the Cardinals rotation -- he has a 3.96 ERA and 1.29 WHIP through 97.2 innings.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Sunday that Assad (forearm) could be activated from the injured list prior to the All-Star break, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The right-hander landed on the shelf in late June with a strained forearm, but he wasn't shut down from throwing for long and had a bullpen session Friday. The Cubs have a doubleheader Saturday in St. Louis, and that would be a logicial point for him to be re-insterted into the rotation ahead of the All-Star break.

Herz (1-3) took the loss Sunday against the Cardinals. He allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits, two walks and four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Herz pitched a clean first and third inning but ran into trouble the rest of the time before getting pulled in the fifth. His rollercoaster rookie campaign continues as he's scattered impressive starts, like the two with double-digit strikeouts, with rough outings like the one on Sunday. The 23-year-old has a 5.17 ERA with 41 strikeouts over 31.1 innings this season.

Munoz is slated to start Thursday's game against the Astros in Houston.

In his last appearance Friday against the White Sox, Munoz piggybacked starter Bryan Hoeing for four innings, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two batters over his 87 pitches. Both Munoz and Hoeing will get their own starts this week, as Hoeing is slated to toe the rubber Wednesday while Munoz gets the ball for the series finale. Munoz holds a 5.48 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 40:24 K:BB through 44.1 innings in the majors this season.

Hoeing is scheduled to start Wednesday's game in Houston.

Due in large part to the Marlins' lack of healthy rotation arms, Hoeing was thrust into a starting role in his return from the 15-day injured list Friday despite having pitched in relief in all but one of his prior 17 appearances with the big club and during his rehab assignment. Hoeing ended up getting piggybacked by Roddery Munoz in Friday's loss to the White Sox, with the former covering the first three innings and the latter handling innings four through seven. Hoeing tossed only 46 pitches Friday, but the Marlins will likely be counting on him to work deeper into Wednesday's contest. Munoz won't be available to work in bulk relief behind Hoeing, as Munoz is slated to start Thursday.