MLB Player News

Manager Charlie Montoyo said Saturday that Merryweather (oblique) threw a "nice and easy" side session this week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Although Merryweather didn't throw with much intensity this week, Montoyo seemed pleased with the right-hander's results. He's slated to throw a bullpen session in the near future and will face hitters in live batting practice after that. If all goes well in his next few throwing sessions, Merryweather is expected to begin a rehab assignment afterward.

McHugh notched his second victory in a win over the Angels on Friday, allowing one hit and recording two strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.

McHugh got four outs on an efficient 19 pitches, 12 of which found the strike zone. The veteran right-hander has made scoreless multi-inning outings the norm of late, as he now boasts an eight-appearance scoreless streak during which he's forged a 23:2 K:BB and posted an 0.75 WHIP over 16 innings.

Borucki (forearm) threw a successful bullpen session Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Borucki has been throwing off a mound for about a week, and he continues to make good progress in his recovery. He's now slated to throw a side session Monday or live BP on Tuesday, and he'll likely begin a rehab assignment afterward if all goes well.

Hill (wrist) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Hill had offseason surgery on his right wrist, and he's spent the entirety of the 2021 campaign on the 60-day injured list. In his first appearance with Columbus, he struck out two and walked one in a scoreless inning. The 27-year-old will likely need a few more appearances to build back up to full strength. He posted a 4.91 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 18.1 innings for Cleveland last year.

Fleming was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain Saturday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Fleming served as the primary pitcher in Friday's game against the Angels, and he allowed an unearned run on two hits and a walk while striking out two in 3.2 innings. However, he apparently sustained a calf injury during the no-decision and will miss at least 10 days as a result. However, the southpaw is hopeful that he won't be forced to miss much time, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Louis Head was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.

Scrubb was recalled by the Astros as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Scrubb was sent down at the end of May, and he's posted a 1.35 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 6.2 innings with Triple-A Sugar Land. He'll provide a fresh arm out of the bullpen in Saturday's twin bill but could return to the minors afterward.

Barnes gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 16th save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Yankees.

The right-hander continues to create jams for himself, and over his last seven appearances, Barnes blew two of his four save chances and posted a 4.05 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB through 6.2 innings. His early-season dominance may have faded, but as yet there's no indication his grasp on the closer's role is slipping.

King allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three over 3.2 innings of relief in Friday' 9-4 win over the Royals.

King worked three perfect innings and retired 11 straight before tiring while setting season highs for both number of pitches and innings. The Rangers are stretching out the left-hander to potentially fill a starting role, and he should get opportunities to increase his pitch count when working in tandem with starter Dane Dunning. The Rangers want to limit Dunning, who has thrown just 34 innings since 2018, so it's an ideal situation in which to build up King's stamina.

Thornton (1-3) took the loss Friday as the Blue Jays fell 6-5 to the Orioles, walking three batters and giving up an unearned run in the 10th inning.

The right-hander tossed only 13 of 29 pitches for strikes as he issued free passes to Anthony Santander, Maikel Franco and Pat Valaika to bring home Baltimore's courtesy runner in the 10th. Thornton is having a rough June, posting a 6.97 ERA through 10.1 innings, but his issues had been with the long ball -- he has allowed four homers this month -- and not control, as he had issued only one walk in June while striking out 13 batters. He figures to remain in a long-relief role until he begins to sort things out.

Sulser walked one and struck out one in a scoreless 10th inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Blue Jays.

He earned this save by getting Vladimir Guerrero to ground into a double play with two on and nobody out. Both of Sulser's saves have come in June, and he's put himself back into the high-leverage mix for Baltimore with a 2.30 ERA and 40:10 K:BB through 27.1 innings on the year.