MLB Player News

The Marlins transferred Sanchez (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Austin Kitchen, who was claimed off waivers. Sanchez had been hoping to be cleared to throw a bullpen session soon, but this move would seem to suggest that won't happen. The righty has been out since early June with right shoulder inflammation and now won't be eligible to return until the beginning of August at the earliest.

The Marlins claimed Kitchen off waivers from the Rockies on Tuesday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Kitchen was up briefly with the Rockies recently but didn't make an appearance. The left-handed reliever holds a 3.00 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 33 innings at Triple-A Albuquerque this season.

Diaz will begin serving his 10-game foreign substance suspension Tuesday after declining to appeal the ruling, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

While adamant he didn't use anything illegal, Diaz likely stood little chance of winning an appeal, so he'll get the suspension over with now. The closer will be eligible to return July 6. Adam Ottavino, Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett are candidates for save chances while Diaz is unavailable.

Rodriguez will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game versus the Cubs, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Rodriguez has recorded at least five outs in 10 of his 18 appearances, so he should be capable of going at least a couple innings Tuesday. The Giants are opting for a second straight bullpen game after Erik Miller opened Monday's 5-4 win.

Fujinami (shoulder) was sent Tuesday to the Mets' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate to begin a rehab assignment.

Fujinami has been out all season with a right shoulder strain but is finally ready for game action. He will require a lengthy rehab assignment which will eventually involve him moving up to higher affiliates. Fujinami isn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list until the second half.

Harvey (2-3) took the loss and blew the save in Monday's extra-inning loss to the Padres, coughing up four runs (three earned) on three hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.

The right-hander is having a bumpy June, giving up runs in four of nine appearances en route to a 7.71 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB in 9.1 innings. Monday's blown save was his first of the year though, and Harvey remains the Nationals' top set-up option ahead of closer Kyle Finnegan, having already racked up a career-high 23 holds. Should Washington become sellers at the trade deadline and send Finnegan to a contender, Harvey would almost certainly move into the ninth-inning role.

Helsley allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning Monday, striking out two and earning a save against Atlanta.

Helsley loaded the bases with just one out but managed to escape with a save in the 4-3 win. It was the second time this month he's allowed multiple runs in an appearance, and the third time in his last 13 outings. Despite the recent shakiness, Helsley has converted 27 consecutive save chances since blowing his first opportunity of the year. He owns a 2.83 ERA and a 42:15 K:BB through 35 innings.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that he's hopeful that Brown (neck) will be cleared to resume throwing off a mound at some point later this week, MLB.com reports.

Brown was placed on the 15-day injured list June 11 with a left neck strain, only for reports to surface a few days later suggesting that the right-hander might be dealing with a stress reaction. After the Cubs sought out multiple medical opinions, however, the original diagnosis of a neck strain has held up, and Brown was cleared to resume throwing last Tuesday. According to Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, Brown played catch three times this past week and threw from 90 feet Friday, leaving Counsell optimistic that the rookie may be ready to take another meaningful step forward this week by getting back on the mound. Montemurro notes that Brown was told when he received his diagnosis that he was about one month into what's described as a "two-to-three-month burnout period" for the neck injury, though that timeline won't affect his potential return date from the IL and only relates to how long he might be physically feeling the effects of the injury. Assuming Brown is able to complete a bullpen session this week, he would still likely have a chance at completing his throwing progression and returning from the IL before the All-Star break.

Megill earned a save against Texas on Monday, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.

Megill hit a batter with two outs in his inning of work, but it didn't cost him any runs. The right-hander was able to notch his 10th straight successful save conversion -- he hasn't blown an opportunity since May 20. Megill has proven to be a more-than-adequate fill-in for rehabbing closer Devin Williams (back), as he's tied for eighth in MLB with 16 saves (in 17 opportunities) while posting a 1.85 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB through 24.1 innings.

Howard (1-1) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight over 4.2 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Monday.

Howard again worked as a reliever, and he didn't enter the game until the fifth inning. He was able to lock things down for the Giants, enabling their comeback. Howard is now at a 3.80 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB over 21.1 innings across six appearances (two starts). San Francisco's rotation is an injury-riddled mess, and that's unlikely to change until July, so Howard will probably continue serving as a bulk reliever. He should be available to make an appearance in this weekend's series versus the Dodgers.