MLB Player News

Murphy (oblique) began hitting off a tee during Atlanta's series against Seattle earlier this week, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

It's the first time Murphy has swung the bat since landing on the 10-day IL on March 30 with a Grade 1 left oblique strain. Prior to the series in Seattle, Murphy was limited to light throwing and catching work in the bullpen. The 29-year-old still has a ways to go before starting a rehab assignment.

Thomas (hamstring) will start as the designated hitter for Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Thomas has been recovering from a left hamstring strain he sustained against the Rockies on March 31. Thomas is expected to play center field over the weekend. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo hinted Friday that Thomas could return from the 10-day IL as soon as Tuesday, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.

Diamondbacks manager Torrey Lovullo said Friday that Sewald (oblique) is expected to join the team for a road trip beginning Tuesday, John Gambadoro of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Sewald's rehab program was paused after the right-hander experienced soreness following an appearance with Triple-A Reno earlier this week. He was able to throw a bullpen session Wednesday though, and the right-hander is slated to pitch in an extended spring training game Saturday, per Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com. If all goes well, Sewald could be back with the team as soon as Tuesday in Cincinnati. He registered 34 saves last season, posting a 3.12 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 60.2 innings with Arizona and Seattle.

Ross did not factor into the decision Friday against the Cubs, allowing one run on six hits over six innings. He struck out four.

Ross was solid, holding Chicago off the board until a Christopher Morel solo home run with two outs in the sixth inning. While Ross ultimately came away with a no-decision, he was able to stem a three-start losing streak -- he'd allowed 16 runs (13 earned) over 15 innings in that span. Overall, Ross is 1-3 with a 4.65 ERA, 1,55 WHIP and 27:12 K:BB through six starts (31 innings) this season. He's currently scheduled for a road matchup with Kansas City in his next outing.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Friday that an MRI showed that Matz has a "protruding disc" in his lower back, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz was placed on the 15-day IL on Friday after sustaining a lower-back injury in Tuesday's loss to the Tigers. Matz received a pain-killing injection for the injury Friday, and the southpaw will be reevaluated early next week. He went 1-2 over six starts with a 6.18 ERA and 1.73 WHIP before landing on the injured list.

Wesneski didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Brewers, allowing three hits and two walks over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

Wesneski was dominant, shutting out Milwaukee while matching his career high with eight punchouts. However, the Cubs bullpen couldn't maintain the 1-0 lead Wesneski handed off. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed just one earned run over 10.1 innings in two starts. Overall, he's 2-0 with a stellar 0.54 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 16.2 innings in a swing role this season. While Justin Steele (hamstring), Kyle Hendricks (back) and Jordan Wicks (forearm) are all nearing returns, Wesneski has certainly made a compelling case to remain in Chicago's rotation.

Carlson (shoulder) will play nine innings in the field for Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Carlson has started as the designated hitter in two of his last three games with Memphis, though he did start in center field Wednesday. He'll reprise that role Friday against Triple-A Charlotte and will attempt to stay in the outfield for the entire game. In his last outing with Memphis on Thursday, Carlson went 2-for-3 with a solo home run.

Megill earned the save Friday in a 3-1 win over the Cubs, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Megill set down the four, five and six batters in the Cubs' order Friday after Joel Payamps faced the top of the lineup in the eighth. Megill and Payamps both figure to see their share of ninth-inning work with Devin Williams (back) likely out until the All-Star break. The 30-year-old Megill lowered his ERA to 1.17 with a 0.91 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB through his first 7.2 innings this season.

Middleton (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Middleton has been on the 15-day IL since the start of the season after sustaining a right forearm strain in mid-March. He recently extended his throwing distance to 110 feet with no setback, and the right-hander has progressed enough to take the next step in his rehab program. Middleton will likely need multiple bullpen sessions without issue before beginning a rehab assignment.

Morel went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Brewers.

Morel snapped a scoreless tie with two outs in the sixth inning, launching a solo shot to centerfield off Joe Ross to put the Cubs ahead 1-0. Morel now has homers in back-to-back games and three in his last five contests following a span of 16 games without a long ball. The 24-year-old third baseman is slashing .210/.286/.403 through 133 plate appearances this year with six homers, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored and three stolen bases.