MLB Player News

Megill (elbow) threw a perfect inning while striking out three Saturday against the White Sox.

Megill appeared in the seventh inning in a tied game. Megill was struck on the right elbow by a comebacker in Tuesday's loss to the Cubs. X-rays came back negative, but he still needed a few days off. It looks like he's back to full speed and should step back into the closer mix despite appearing earlier in the game Saturday.

Phillips pitched a perfect inning and struck out one to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.

This was Phillips' first appearance in nearly a month due to a hamstring strain. He looked rust-free, throwing 11 pitches (seven strikes) to set down the bottom of the Rockies' order for his ninth save of the season. Phillips has a 0.61 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB over 14.2 innings, and he's yet to take a blown save this year. It doesn't appear he'll be eased into the closer role again, not that he needs to be handled with kid gloves considering his track record in high-leverage spots over the last two years.

Ginkel is day-to-day after X-rays on his left knee came back negative following Saturday's 10-5 win over the Mets, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Ginkel took a 98.3 mile-per-hour comebacker to the inside of his left knee during his relief appearance in the sixth inning and was immediately lifted from the contest. Fortunately for Ginkel, he seems to be dealing with nothing more than bruising to his leg, and he disclosed after the game that he's already feeling better. Manager Torey Lovullo expressed optimism that Ginkel could be available out of the bullpen as soon as Sunday's series finale with the Mets, though the Diamondbacks may prefer to stay away from him for another day or two to afford him additional healing time.

Ginkel was hit in the left leg by a comebacker during Saturday's game against the Mets and was removed from the game, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports. He threw one perfect inning before the incident.

Ginkel was the first arm out of the bullpen for the Diamondbacks on Saturday, replacing Slade Cecconi late in the fifth inning. The 30-year-old retired the first two batters he faced before getting hit by a 98 MPH comebacker from Brandon Nimmo, who was still thrown out at first. Bryce Jarvis replaced Ginkel on the mound.

Middleton (forearm) will get a second opinion from a specialist Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Middleton underwent an MRI on Friday after being checked out by team doctors and it appears he may be dealing with a significant injury to his throwing arm. Season-ending surgery has yet to be ruled out, though even if he avoids surgery, Middleton could have to start over after being close to returning from the 15-day IL just days before reporting the injury. Regardless, there should be more clarity regarding Middleton's status in the coming days.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Merryweather (ribs) will not return until after the All-Star break, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Merryweather has been on the IL since early April due to a rib stress fracture in his back. He's only a couple weeks into his throwing program, but the Cubs have already determined that it will take at least another month-and-a-half to get the 32-year-old reliever ready for game action. As Merryweather continues to check off boxes in his rehab process, a more exact return date should emerge.

The Brewers recalled Junk from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Junk will come up from the minors to fill the open spot in Milwaukee's pitching staff following the demotion of Tobias Myers to Triple-A on Saturday. Junk made three appearances for the Brewers during his first big-league stint this season, giving up five earned runs over five innings. He's turned in a 2.45 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with Nashville since being sent back down, but he will likely be limited to low-leverage work in the majors. The 28-year-old righty also has experience as a starter, opening the door for a potential spot start if Joe Ross (back) isn't able to return from the injured list when eligible June 5.

The Phillies transferred Covey (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday.

Covey has been on the IL since the beginning of the season due to a right shoulder strain, so his move to the 60-day IL has no effect on his return date. The transaction does, however, open a spot on Philadelphia's 40-man roster for right-hander Freddy Tarnok, whom Philadelphia claimed off waivers from Oakland on Saturday.

The Phillies claimed Tarnok (hip) off waivers from Oakland on Saturday. The Phillies reinstated him from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Tarnok has been on the injured list all season while recovering from a hip procedure he underwent in August. He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on May 8 and allowed 11 earned runs in just 7.1 innings before Oakland removed him from its 40-man roster. He'll remain in Triple-A upon making a full recovery and shifting to a new organization, though a drastic turnaround in performance would likely be necessary before Tarnok spends any time in Philadelphia. Dylan Covey (shoulder) was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Tarnok.

The Padres recalled Gillaspie from Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

With Yu Darvish (groin) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) both headed for the injured list, Gillaspie and Randy Vasquez will come up from the minors to fill the openings in San Diego's pitching staff. Gillaspie has appeared in two games for the Padres this year, throwing 2.2 shutout innings, but he has posted a 5.17 ERA and 1.51 WHIP through 15.2 frames in Triple-A. He will likely be limited to low-leverage situations while with the big-league club.