MLB Player News

Ferguson will start Sunday's game against the Giants, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ferguson will get another turn in the Dodgers starting rotation after allowed two runs on five hits over four innings Tuesday. The 21-year-old was limited to 65 pitches and he could face similar restrictions Sunday, but he remains one of four Dodgers' starting pitchers who are currently not on the disabled list.

The Cardinals activated Bowman (finger) from the 10-day disabled list Friday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

Bowman returned to the team Wednesday after a trio of rehab outings at Triple-A Memphis where he thankfully remained free of blisters. The 27-year-old will hope to improve upon the 5.82 ERA and 1.76 WHIP he's accrued across 17 innings so far in 2018.

The Braves outrighted Jackson to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

As was the case the first three times the Braves have designated Jackson for assignment over the past year, Jackson once again passed through waivers unclaimed by the other 29 clubs and will remain in the Atlanta organization. The right-hander has made four appearances out of the big-league bullpen this season, giving up three runs and striking out nine over 5.1 innings.

Stewart started for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday in the club's 4-3 loss to Salt Lake, tossing three innings and giving up two runs on four hits and a walk.

It was Stewart's first appearance in the Pacific Coast League since being optioned back to the minors six days earlier. The right-hander had made three appearances out of the bullpen during his latest stint with the Dodgers, so that likely explains why Oklahoma City limited him to 65 pitches Thursday as he rejoined the rotation. The Dodgers have been dealing with a deluge of injuries to their starting staff in recent weeks, but with Rich Hill (finger) on tap to come off the disabled list next week, any opening for Stewart in the big-league rotation has seemingly closed.

Poncedeleon was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Rob Rains of Stlsportspage.com reports.

Poncedeleon was recently recalled from Memphis but failed to appear in any big-league games during his time with the Cardinals. Through 58 innings of work at the Triple-A level in 2018, he's logged a 2.48 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with a 71:35 K:BB. Expect to see him back in the majors later this year.

Medina has allowed just three earned runs in his last four starts for High-A Clearwater.

Over that same stretch, the 21-year-old righty has struck out 22 batters while walking just five. His slow start to the season means his ERA still sits at a mediocre 4.27, and his strikeout rate is a pedestrian 19.7 percent after it had spiked up to 26.3 percent with Low-A Lakewood last season.

Boxberger struck out two in the ninth inning to record his 15th save of the season Thursday against the Mets.

Boxberger appeared in a save situation for the first time since he blew his second save of the season June 6. However, he looked sharp, striking out two of the three batters he faced. He has now converted 15 of his 17 save chances on the season.

Koch (5-3) allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out five across six innings to earn the win Thursday against the Mets.

Koch overcame two solo home runs by allowing only two other baserunners across his six innings of work. It was a nice bounceback effort after he was knocked around for five earned runs in his last start, which came at Coors Field. His 11 starts have had plenty of ups and downs as he has allowed five or more earned runs on three occasions, but three or fewer in the rest. Still, his time in the rotation may be limited with both Robbie Ray (oblique) and Shelby Miller (elbow) in the midst of rehab stints.

Johnson will be on the Giants' taxi squad Friday, which hints that he'll be called up from Triple-A Sacramento to join the bullpen, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

San Francisco won a 16-inning marathon against the Marlins on Thursday, requiring Ty Blach to throw 6.2 relief innings in the process. He might be the roster casualty as the Giants look to summon a fresh arm in his place. Johnson holds a 5.83 ERA in 23 major-league appearances this season, so if he gets the call, he'll likely serve as a mop-up type.

Hudson, who's 8-2 with a 2.18 ERA over 74.1 innings across 12 starts for Triple-A Memphis, could be called up at some point this summer, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The organization's No. 11-ranked prospect, Hudson has allowed just one home run all season, and only three overall in 113 innings at the Triple-A level. The 23-year-old right-hander would have to be added to the 40-man roster were he to be called up, and Trezza explains that typically would serve as a substantial obstacle. However, the Cardinals could easily open up a spot on the 40-man in the wake of Alex Reyes' season-ending lat injury, as they've yet to place him on the 60-day disabled list. Given his impressive body of work thus far this season and the fact that Luke Weaver is also struggling of late, it's conceivable the team opts to eventually give Hudson at least a turn or two through the big-league rotation to see what he can do.