MLB Player News

Erceg, 22, is hitting .239/.283/.368 with six home runs and a 48:14 K:BB in 265 plate appearances at High-A Carolina.

It has been a slow start to the season for Erceg, but he is heating up, hitting .316/.359/.456 with six extra-base hits in 57 June at-bats. His poor luck on balls in play (.272 BABIP) is partially responsible for the mediocre batting line, and his 18.1 percent strikeout rate is excellent for someone with his power potential.

Morejon, 18, gave up one run on three hits with one strikeout in three innings in his professional debut for short-season Tri-City.

There was some thought that Morejon would make his professional debut in the Arizona League, but the Padres opted to give their prized lefty a more aggressive assignment. Look for his stock to continue to climb as long as he is effective for the Dust Devils. It would not be surprising if he made it to the Midwest League before the end of the season.

The Phillies selected Milner's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Milner was selected by the Indians in the Rule 5 draft this past offseason, but was returned to the Phillies after failing to win a bullpen job in Cleveland. He was 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA and a 27:4 K:BB in 27.2 innings for Lehigh Valley this season. Milner only throws in the high-80s, but he is effective thanks to a sidearm delivery that makes it difficult for hitters to pick up the ball. He should initially see most of his work in middle relief, but Milner could become the Phillies' primary lefty reliever if his minor-league success translates to the majors.

The Phillies designated Gomez for assignment Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Gomez opened the season as the Phillies' closer, but lost the job quickly and wound up working mostly in low-leverage situations. He is 3-2 with a 7.25 ERA and a 21:7 K:BB in 22.1 innings this season. He should be able to find an opportunity with another club in need of relief depth.

Montero is no longer available to start Wednesday's game against the Dodgers after being used out of the bullpen Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The Mets will now likely turn to Tyler Pill to start Wednesday after Montero notched 3.2 innings in relief Monday. The 26-year-old will continue to serve as a long reliever for the Mets, but he will also remain a spot-start option should another opportunity arise down the road.

Law was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday.

At one point this season, Law was a popular speculative play for saves, but he has fallen out of favor with the Giants after notching a 12.46 ERA over his last 8.2 innings. Kyle Crick was promoted from Triple-A in a corresponding move. If Law can get on track at Triple-A, he will likely be back up later this summer.

Reyes (elbow) could begin a throwing program in four weeks, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Reyes, the Cardinals' top pitching prospect, was vying for a rotation spot with the big club heading into spring training, but those hopes were dashed after he required Tommy John surgery in February. The 22-year-old has spent the last few months rehabbing in St. Louis so he could learn from the club's other veteran starters, and it appears he'll soon be able to start up the recovery process in earnest. Reyes has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, so his main objective will be gradually increasing his throwing distance before potentially resuming mound work once fall arrives.

Fields was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Fields has a fine 3.00 ERA and 1.04 WHIP on the season, but he's been atrocious in June, getting charged with three blown saves and allowing seven runs in just 5.2 innings, including surrendering a whopping five home runs. Hitters have figured him out, and now he's out to make room for the return of Sergio Romo to the Dodgers' bullpen.

Montero will make a spot start Wednesday unless circumstances force the Mets to use him out of the bullpen before then, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Montero pitched three perfect innings against the Nationals with three strikeouts his last time out and has thrown at least three innings in each of his past three experiences. As such, he's the best prepared Mets reliever to make a start. If the Mets need his long-relief services before then, though, Tyler Pill will likely take the start in Montero's place.

Kontos fired 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday, striking out three in a loss to the Rockies.

With a 10.1 K/9 through 33.0 innings, the 32-year-old is showing a side that we hadn't seen for years. That said, Kontos' increased strikeouts seem to be coming at the expense of his ability to keep the ball in the yard (1.4 HR/9). While his 3.27 ERA isn't too appealing for an arm that doesn't see saves, there's a good chance that Kontos can build on his current total of two holds while Hunter Strickland serves his six-game suspension.