MLB Player News

Backhus (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Backus has been sidelined since late April with left elbow inflammation but is finally ready to test things out in a game setting. Given how much time he's missed, the lefty reliever is likely to require a handful of rehab outings before rejoining the Phillies' bullpen.

Watson is on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Binghamton with an oblique injury, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

Watson left his May 5 start with the injury after recording two outs (zero strikeouts) and surrendering four earned runs. The 23-year-old righty has an 8.55 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB in 20 innings across six starts this season.

The Rockies sent Herget (shoulder) to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Herget has been out for nearly a month with a right shoulder impingement, but he's been cleared to return to game action. The side-armer will likely require at least a couple rehab appearances before rejoining the Rockies' bullpen. Herger has posted a 5.06 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB in 16 innings this season.

Vodnik (elbow) was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday to begin a rehab assignment.

Vodnik has recovered well after missing the past three weeks of action with right ulnar nerve inflammation. Since his absence has been relatively brief, the reliever should not require too many rehab appearances. Vodnik still leads the Rockies with four saves this season, but he allowed 14 runs over his last nine innings before going on the 15-day injured list, so the club will likely ease him back into high-leverage spots when he's ready to return.

Gusto is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks in Miami.

After being recalled Triple-A Jacksonville last Tuesday, Gusto pitched two innings out of the bullpen later that day in a 7-3 win over the Nationals. The Marlins then tabbed Gusto to fill the open spot in their rotation Friday, but because he was pitching on just two days' rest, he served as more of an opener and made just a two-inning start in a 6-0 loss to the Rays. Tyler Phillips piggybacked Gusto in long relief in that game, but the Marlins could look to separate the two pitchers during this upcoming turn through the rotation. Gusto had been working as a more traditional starter at Triple-A prior to his call-up, turning in a 1.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB in 15 innings over his final three appearances for Jacksonville.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after Monday's extra-innings win over the Athletics that Megill was unavailable to pitch in the game due to "discomfort," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Murphy did not offer any additional details regarding Megill's injury. Megill did battle a flexor strain in his right arm during the second half last season and was given a PRP injection over the winter, though there's no indication at this point that this is a recurrence of that injury. Abner Uribe is the favorite for saves in the Brewers' bullpen for as long as Megill is unavailable.

Wantz signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Saturday.

Wantz will report to Triple-A Iowa with his new organization. Before electing free agency last week upon clearing waivers, Wantz was lit up for five earned runs over 1.2 innings in his lone relief appearance for the Rays and posted a 7.04 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB across 23 innings with their Triple-A affiliate in Durham.

Patrick picked up the save in Monday's 15-14 extra-innings win over the Athletics. He allowed no hits and an intentional walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Patrick was called upon to pitch the 12th inning and was able to shut the door on Monday's offensive slugfest. It marked the right-hander's third save of the campaign, as he has been deployed in a variety of roles throughout the season and succeeded to the tune of a 3-2 record, 2.22 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB across 52.2 innings (17 appearances). Abner Uribe pitched the 11th inning and picked up the win, while Trevor Megill, who leads the club with eight saves, went unused despite not pitching since Friday.

Varland picked up the save in Monday's 4-3 win over San Francisco. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

With Clayton Beeter recording four outs between the seventh and eighth innings, Varland was called upon to handle the ninth frame and worked around a leadoff walk to Rafael Devers and a two-out single by Jung Hoo Lee to secure the win for Washington. It marked Varland's fifth save of the campaign and first since May 7. Overall, the right-hander owns a 4.01 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB across 24.2 innings. He's in the mix for save opportunities, though Beeter likely sits slightly ahead of Varland in the pecking order.

Winn (2-2) blew the save and took the loss Monday against the Nationals. He allowed three runs on three hits and a hit-by-pitch while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

After eight brilliant innings from Logan Webb, Winn was unable to protect a two-run lead, allowing a two-run single to CJ Abrams and a go-ahead single to Daylen Lile before being lifted with one out remaining in the frame. Other high-leverage relievers Caleb Kilian and Erik Miller were presumably unavailable after pitching in each of the previous two games, making Winn the logical choice for the save opportunity. The 28-year-old now owns a 3.23 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB while converting one of two save opportunities across 30.2 innings.