MLB Player News

Gurriel (elbow) is starting in left field and batting third in Sunday's series finale against the Phillies, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports..

Gurriel returns to the lineup Sunday after sitting out of Saturday's 12-1 loss to Philadelphia. He left in the seventh inning of Friday's contest with left elbow soreness, but the injury wasn't severe enough to warrant an X-ray. For the month of June, Gurriel is slashing .333/.352/.536 with four home runs and 12 RBI over 69 at-bats.

Merrill went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer and a walk in Saturday's win over Milwaukee.

Merrill singled in his first at-bat before crushing a three-run shot off Carlos Rodriguez in the fourth to put San Diego on the board. The shortstop would reach four times on the night and has now recorded multiple hits in three of his last four games. He's also homered in three of his last four and in seven of his last 10 while posting at least one RBI in four straight.

Turang went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in Saturday's loss to the Padres.

Turang reached base four times in the contest, topping things off with a ninth-inning grand slam to bring Milwaukee back within two runs of the Padres. The grand slam was the second of his career, and he's now collected at least one RBI in three consecutive games. Turang has also recorded multiple hits in three straight and is now batting .296 on the campaign with five homers, 31 RBI and 26 stolen bases. Perhaps the only downside is that he's been caught stealing in each of his last three attempts, including twice Saturday.

The Phillies recalled Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Mercado will take over the spot on the 26-man active roster that previously belonged to right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. A 25-year-old right-hander, Mercado has started in 10 of his 14 appearances for Lehigh Valley this season, compiling a 1.71 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 44:23 K:BB over 47.1 innings. Mercado will be utilized out of the Philadelphia bullpen for now, with Spencer Turnbull lined up to start Wednesday against the Tigers as a replacement in the rotation for Walker, per Paul Casella of MLB.com.

The Phillies placed Walker on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right index finger inflammation.

Walker's move to the IL comes after he labored through four innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Friday, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over four innings. Across 10 starts this season, the 31-year-old right-hander is 3-3 with a 5.60 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 43:21 K:BB across 53 innings. The Phillies brought up Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take over Walker's spot on the 26-man active roster, but Mercado is expected to work as a long man out of the bullpen while Spencer Turnbull moves back into the rotation in Walker's stead.

Suarez picked up a one-out save in a win over the Brewers on Saturday night while not allowing any hits or walks.

Suarez likely wasn't expecting to make an appearance with the Padres up 6-0 to open the ninth, but things changed quickly when Brice Turang launched a grand slam off Jhony Brito to bring Milwaukee back within two runs with two outs in the frame. However, Suarez was able to put out the fire, retiring William Contreras on a groundout to end the game and secure his 19th save of the season. Suarez has not allowed any hits or walks over his last two appearances after suffering his only blown save of the year against the Phillies on June 18. In fact, he's issued only one walk over his last nine outings.

The Diamondbacks optioned Henry to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Henry made three appearances for the Diamondbacks after his call-up June 9, allowing 13 runs on 14 hits (including five home runs) and seven walks while striking out six over 10 innings. He'll look to regain his control in the minors, where he has a more respectable 3.41 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 31.2 innings. Left-hander Brandon Hughes was recalled by Arizona in a corresponding move.

Cruz went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rays.

He destroyed the first pitch he saw from Zach Eflin in the first inning, sending the 78.2 mph curveball out of the stadium to right field and straight into the Allegheny River. Per Adam Berry and Justice delos Santos of MLB.com, it's just the sixth time since PNC Park opened that a ball has been hit into the river on the fly. Despite his prodigious physical tools, Cruz is still having trouble producing consistently for the Pirates, but he has stepped things up this month. Through 16 games in June, the 25-year-old is slashing .250/.283/.464 with three homers, one steal, 11 runs and 11 RBI.

The Diamondbacks recalled Hughes from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

It marks the third time this season Hughes has been called up to the big club. He wasn't particularly effective over the last three games of his second stint, allowing eight runs on 11 hits (including three home runs) and five walks while striking out three over 5.1 frames. Hughes will be added to Arizona's bullpen, with southpaw Tommy Henry optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

Chapman gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Rays. He struck out one.

David Bednar is dealing with some tightness in his side and was unavailable, leaving ninth-inning duties to his 36-year-old set-up man. Chapman walked the first batter he faced before surrendering an RBI double to Yandy Diaz, but the southpaw got Isaac Paredes to ground out to end the threat. Chapman has been scored upon only twice in his last 10 appearances, posting a 1.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB through 9.2 innings over that stretch. Bednar's injury isn't considered serious, but Chapman should handle closing duties until he's ready to return.