MLB Player News

Neris (7-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the win in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning victory over the Giants.

Neris went through a rough patch earlier this month but has pitched better lately, tossing scoreless innings in consecutive outings with four total strikeouts. The veteran once again didn't see a save opportunity, as that went to Porter Hodge on Thursday, but it was encouraging to see Neris still work in a high-leverage spot. He figures to remain Chicago's closer moving forward, though he could be replaced if his struggles resurface.

Sanchez (shoulder) threw an 18-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

He could throw off the mound again this weekend. While it appears he's inching in the right direction, Sanchez won't be eligible for activation until early August after being transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier this week. He's coming back from right shoulder inflammation.

The Reds transferred Pagan (lat) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Pagan landed on the injured list June 9 due to a strained right lat, and his move to the 60-day IL will ensure that he remains sidelined until at least early August. His 40-man roster spot will be given to Noelvi Marte, who was reinstated from his 80-game suspension Thursday.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that he expects Turnbull (lat) to be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Turnbull suffered a right lat strain in his first start back in the Phillies' rotation Wednesday and was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. Given the pitcher's lengthy injury history, the team will proceed with extra caution. Michael Mercado will slide into the Philadelphia rotation for now, at least until Taijuan Walker (finger) is ready.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after Wednesday's game that Mercado would likely join the rotation if Spencer Turnbull (lat) needed to miss time, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Turnbull has since been placed on the 15-day injured list, so it would appear Mercado is set to join the Phillies' rotation next week. Mercado made one one-inning relief appearance earlier this week in his major-league debut, but he's been used mostly as a starter this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, collecting a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB over 47.1 frames covering 10 starts and four relief outings. The 25-year-old's first big-league start is tentatively lined up to come Tuesday in Chicago against the Cubs.

The Phillies recalled Marte from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Marte held a 2.70 ERA and 12:5 K:BB over 13.1 frames with the Phillies earlier this season before missing time with a shoulder issue. He will operate in middle relief.

The Phillies placed Turnbull (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right lat strain.

Turnbull had to depart Wednesday's start against the Tigers with right shoulder soreness. While the pitcher downplayed the injury after the game, subsequent testing revealed a lat strain. It's not yet clear how much time Turnbull might miss, but it's certainly the type of injury that could cost the right-hander several weeks. With Taijuan Walker (finger) also still out for a while, Michael Mercado could enter the Phillies' rotation.

Wesneski will remain in the Cubs' rotation following the injury to Javier Assad (forearm), Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Wesneski got a spot start Wednesday in San Francisco as the Cubs gave other members of their rotation some extra rest. However, with Assad landing on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Wesneski will stick in the rotation for the near future. He's tentatively lined up for two starts next week at home against the Phillies and Angels.

Roupp (undisclosed) made his third rehab appearance in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Wednesday, striking out four over two perfect innings.

Roupp has resided on Triple-A Sacramento's 7-day injured list since May 24 with an unspecified injury, but he looks to be close to a return to action in the Pacific Coast League. He's cruised through his first three outings in the ACL, punching out 12 while not issuing a walk and allowing just two hits over five shutout innings. The injury came at an unfortunate time for Roupp, who possesses a spot on the Giants' 40-man roster and might have been under consideration to join the injury-riddled big-league rotation had he been healthy.

Jackson (4-1) walked one over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Wednesday. He did not record a strikeout.

Hayden Birdsong went 4.2 innings in his debut and left with the game tied at 3-3. Jackson got the Giants out of the top of the fifth inning there, and Luis Matos put them ahead for a good with a solo shot in their half of the frame. Jackson had allowed five runs over 1.1 innings prior to Wednesday, and he's given up multiple runs three times in 10 appearances in June. Overall, he's struggled to a 6.12 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 20:14 K:BB through 25 innings while adding two holds and three blown saves in a low-leverage role this year.