MLB Player News

Bachar will serve as the Marlins' opener in a bullpen game Friday against the Giants, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Rather than calling up a starter from the minors after Janson Junk (shin) joined Eury Perez (thigh) on the injured list May 31, the Marlins have been going with bullpen days when the fifth spot in the rotation has come around. Bachar will pick up his fourth start in that time, but he hasn't worked more than three innings in any of those outings. Dax Fulton, who threw 39 pitches Tuesday against the Phillies, might be called upon to work bulk relief behind Bachar.

Benge went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Phillies.

The rookie outfielder set the table effectively for the Mets in a 6-4 victory, and his leadoff single in the seventh inning sparked a three-run rally that decided the contest. Over his last 18 games, Benge is slashing .293/.338/.533 with eight extra-base hits including four homers, two steals, six RBI and 14 runs.

Minter retired the only two batters he faced Thursday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the Phillies.

Entering the game with one on and one out in the seventh inning and the Mets ahead 6-3, Minter fired seven of eight pitches for strikes as he got Justin Crawford and Kyle Schwarber to fly out. Minter has been outstanding since making a belated season debut in late May after recovering from last summer's lat surgery, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB over eight innings and nine appearances. The 32-year-old should continue to work as one of the primary left-handed setup men for closer Devin Williams.

Atlanta activated Bart (foot) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Bart was acquired via trade from the Pirates on Thursday and is ready to return from the foot infection that's shelved him since mid-May. The 29-year-old will serve as Atlanta's No. 2 catcher behind Drake Baldwin.

Perez (thigh) gave up one run on three hits over 3.2 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The right-hander fired 51 pitches (37 strikes) in his first rehab outing since landing on the IL on May 29 after straining his right gracilis muscle. The initial estimate for Perez's recovery suggested he might be on the shelf until late July, but Thursday's performance was encouraging enough that a return before the All-Star break looks plausible. Perez was sitting 96-98 mph with his fastballs Thursday and topped out at 99.4 mph on a four-seamer.

The Cubs recalled Dean from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

An offseason waiver claim, Dean has slashed .238/.369/.354 with three home runs, 14 stolen bases and a 36:58 BB:K over 56 contests with Iowa this season. The 29-year-old can handle all three outfield spots and should operate mainly in a reserve role.

Lukes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

Getting the start in center field while Daulton Varsho (wrist) remains sidelined, Lukes took Sonny Gray deep in the seventh inning to give the Blue Jays a 3-0 lead. Lukes has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, and over 15 contests in June he's slashing .327/.373/.455 with both his homers on the season, along with five RBI and seven runs.

Guerrero went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

The first baseman launched the first pitch he saw from Sonny Gray over the Green Monster in the first inning, giving the Blue Jays a quick lead in an eventual 4-3 victory. It was Guerrero's first long ball since May 17, snapping a 24-game drought, and just his fourth of the year -- a concerning total for a player who averaged 31.8 homers over the prior five seasons. There's still plenty of time left in the campaign for Guerrero to go on a tear and get his power numbers back to their usual level, and Thursday's blast might have been the first sign a summer surge is on its way.

The Rangers outrighted Otanez to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Otanez cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization as relief depth. The 28-year-old holds a 6.15 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 37:25 K:BB in 26.1 innings this season with Round Rock.

Greene (elbow) struck out six over four scoreless frames Thursday in his first rehab start with the Reds' Arizona Complex League affiliate.

Greene yielded two hits, walked one and topped out at 101.1 mph on the radar gun, per Lance McAlister of 700 WLW Sports Talk. He got his pitch count up to 54, throwing 39 pitches for strikes. It's an encouraging first rehab outing for Greene, who is coming back from mid-March surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. It's unclear when or where Greene's next rehab start will take place, but the Reds expect the right-hander to rejoin the rotation before the All-Star break.