MLB Player News

Mercado (1-1) took the loss Sunday against Atlanta. He allowed five runs on five hits, three walks and a strikeout over 1.2 innings.

Mercado was given another start after a solid outing against the Cubs on Tuesday. However, the rookie right-hander was chased early Sunday after allowing three homers in the second inning. It was the shortest outing by a Phillies starter this season. With Taijuan Walker (finger) and Spencer Turnbull (lat) both out through the All-Star break, Mercado should be given more opportunities to gain valuable experience.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol confirmed Sunday that Edman (wrist) remains on track to begin his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Edman's surgically repaired right wrist apparently responded well to batting practice sessions in Springfield on Friday and Saturday, with the latter being a live session against rehabbing right-hander Riley O'Brien (forearm). Unless Edman experiences another setback with his wrist in the next day, he'll see his first game action of the season Tuesday. Edman will presumably remain on his rehab assignment throughout the week before the Cardinals reassess his status coming out of the All-Star break.

Gurriel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Gurriel will hit the bench after making 12 straight starts, and he posted a .320/.333/.600 slash line with seven extra-base hits and 11 RBI during that span. Jake McCarthy will receive a start in left field Sunday.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed Sunday that Schwarber (groin) will be activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's series opener versus the Dodgers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

After running on the field at approximately 90 percent intensity Saturday, Schwarber cleared the final hurdle in his recovery from a left groin strain by sprinting at full speed during a pregame workout Sunday. The Phillies apparently feel comfortable enough with Schwarber's health to let him return from the IL without heading out on a rehab assignment beforehand. Schwarber has made just three of his 78 starts in left field this season, and the Phillies will most likely deploy him strictly as a designated hitter during the upcoming week to lessen the possibility of a setback with the groin heading into the All-Star break. The 31-year-old's upcoming return will presumably result in fewer opportunities for David Dahl.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Harper (hamstring) is "in play" to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

While Thomson confirmed that Kyle Schwarber (groin) will be back with the big club Tuesday, the skipper was less certain that Harper will be ready to go for the start of the three-game series with the NL West leaders. On a positive note, Harper ran on the field for a second straight day Sunday, with Zolecki relaying that the first baseman appeared to be moving at close to 100 percent intensity. Harper has been on the IL since June 28 with a left hamstring strain, with his absence opening up regular playing time at first base for Kody Clemens against right-handed pitching.

Lux is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Lux is hitless in 17 at-bats over his past six games and will head to the bench Sunday after making 10 straight starts. Chris Taylor will move to second base while Enrique Hernandez starts at the hot corner against Milwaukee lefty Dallas Keuchel.

Double-A Harrisburg reinstated Brzykcy (elbow) from its 60-day injured list Monday.

Brzykcy has struck out two while allowing two hits and one walk over two scoreless innings across two appearances since making his 2024 debut for Harrisburg. The 24-year-old rejoined Harrisburg after recently finishing up a six-week rehab assignment at the Nationals' lower-level affiliates while he completed his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last summer. The relief prospect has a spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster, but the organization likely isn't counting on Brzykcy making any major contributions to the big-league bullpen in 2024.

Frelick is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Frelick is 1-for-13 with two walks and two runs over his past four games and will sit Sunday with lefty Justin Wrobleski taking the mound for Los Angeles. Jackson Chourio, Blake Perkins and Garrett Mitchell will start from left to right in the outfield for the series finale.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

The right-hander was called up by Los Angeles on Friday and will return to Oklahoma City without appearing in a game. Varland has six appearances for the Dodgers this season and has allowed two earned runs with a 3:4 K:BB over six innings.

The Giants will reinstate Snell (groin) from the 15-day injured list and have him start Tuesday versus the Blue Jays in San Francisco, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

As he prepares for his first start with the Giants since June following his second IL stint of the season, Snell will be taking the hill on five days' rest. The southpaw endured some bumps in the road in the first of his two rehab outings in his return from a left groin strain, but he was utterly dominant in his final start for Sacramento on Wednesday, tossing five no-hit, shutout innings while striking out nine. He'll tentatively line up for two starts during the upcoming week, with his second outing set to fall next Sunday versus the Twins in the Giants' final game before the All-Star break.