MLB Player News

Junis was recalled from the alternate training site Wednesday.

The 28-year-old was demoted after allowing five runs during a spot start last week, but he'll rejoin the active roster with five games left in the season. According to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com, Junis will be utilized in short stints as a reliever down the stretch.

Merryweather (elbow) played catch Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Merryweather can't return before the end of the regular season, as he was placed on the injured list Monday, backdated to Friday. He could pitch in the playoffs, however, and the fact that he's already throwing again suggests he has a chance to do so.

Pearson (elbow) feels good and is expected to return from the injured list soon, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson won't have time to build up to a starting workload before the end of the year as he works his way back from an elbow strain, but he'll be able to pitch in shorter outings out of the bullpen. The Blue Jays want him to be ready for that role in the postseason and will give him at least one appearance before the end of the regular season to help him prepare.

Phillips hit the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Phillips left Tuesday's game against Boston with the injury, which will wind up ending his season prematurely. Assuming the diagnosis doesn't evolve to anything worse than inflammation, he should have plenty of time to heal before spring training. He'll finish the year with a 5.02 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP in 14.1 innings of relief, with his 14.5 percent walk rate generally offsetting a 29.0 percent strikeout rate.

Pivetta will start the Red Sox's season finale Sunday in Atlanta, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Pivetta provided a much-needed lift to the Boston rotation in his team debut Tuesday, striking out eight over five innings of one-run ball to pick up a win over the Orioles. The Red Sox are eager to evaluate Pivetta for a spot in the 2021 rotation, so it's no surprise that he'll get the opportunity to try and build on his strong outing this weekend. While Pivetta lines up for a stiff test against baseball's best offense (123 wRC+), the Braves could be resting several lineup regulars Sunday if the team is already locked into its spot in the National League playoffs.

The Blue Jays transferred Giles (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 45-day IL on Tuesday.

Giles announced a day earlier that he was set to undergo Tommy John surgery, which will sideline him for the remainder of the current season and likely all of the 2021 campaign. The move opened up a spot on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster, but Toronto has yet to add a player to take his place.

Crochet struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Tuesday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to Cleveland.

The White Sox pre-planned Crochet's appearance in the eighth inning, suggesting the rookie will be part of the postseason roster. Facing the top of Cleveland's order, the left-hander threw 18 four-seam fastballs among his 19 pitches, 11 of which topped 100 mph. He's yet to allow a run or a walk in three innings.

Rogers (2-4) earned the win Tuesday against the Tigers. He allowed one unearned run on two hits while fanning one across just one inning.

Rogers pitched the top of the 10th for the Twins and allowed the second-base runner to cross home plate on back-to-back one-out hits, but he bounced back to close the inning rather quickly. The offense backed him up with two runs in the bottom of the 10th, though, so Rogers ended as the winning pitcher in this extra-inning contest. Rogers has nine saves this season and should remain as Minnesota's primary closer heading into the playoffs.

Pivetta (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Orioles. He allowed one run on four hits and three walks while fanning eight across five innings.

Pivetta was recalled ahead of Tuesday's start and impressed in his debut with the Red Sox, fanning eight and looking dominant on the mound most of the time. The Red Sox want to check what they have in Pivetta, so he figures to be in line to pitch in the team's season finale Sunday against Atlanta.

Barnes picked up the save Tuesday against the Orioles after recording the final out of the game.

Dylan Covey got the ball in the ninth and held a five-run lead, but manager Ron Roenicke had to turn to Barnes after Covey loaded the bases with two outs. Barnes needed just three pitches to close the game out -- he induced a pop out in foul territory from Pedro Severino -- and that qualified as his ninth save of the campaign. Barnes should hold down the closer role in the final games of the 2020 regular season.