MLB Player News

Kinley pitched two shutout innings Sunday against the White Sox, allowing zero hits and one walk while striking out one.

The 33-year-old worked around the ghost runner in both the 11th and 12th innings, allowing just a single baserunner on an intentional walk. Fellow reliever Jalen Beeks earned the win in the 14th inning, but Kinley remains the preferred closer despite owning an ugly 8.27 ERA on the year. Both relievers will be in the mix for saves moving forward as part of a volatile Rockies bullpen.

Beeks (5-4) blew the save and picked up the win Sunday against the White Sox, allowing an unearned run on two hits and zero walks while striking out one batter in two innings of work.

Beeks came on in the 13th inning and allowed the ghost runner to score on an RBI single by Luis Robert, resulting in a blown save. The 30-year-old rebounded in the 14th inning, however, retiring the side in order to earn his fifth win of the season. Although Beeks was used in a high-leverage role Sunday, Tyler Kinley pitched two scoreless innings in the 11th and 12th and remains the preferred late-inning option for the Rockies. Beeks will continue to be in the mix for saves, but he is just 6-for-11 in save opportunities this season.

Mercado is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Just as Rob Thomson suggested would be the case shortly before Spencer Turnbull's (lat) placement on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Mercado is the next man up in the Philadelphia rotation. He should stick around as the Phillies' No. 5 starter at least until Taijuan Walker (finger) is ready to come off the IL, as Turnbull is projected to miss 6-to-8 weeks and won't factor into the rotation mix anytime soon. The 25-year-old Mercado made his a one-inning relief appearance in his MLB debut last week, but he had been operating as a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to his June 23 call-up and shouldn't be facing any major restrictions with his pitch count Tuesday. Mercado -- who has posted a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB in 47.1 innings at Triple-A this season -- lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing set to come next Sunday in Atlanta.

Hoffman struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save Sunday vs. Miami.

Hoffman allowed a runner to reach on an error but was otherwise solid in picking up his sixth save. Jose Alvarado leads the Phillies with 12 saves this season, but Hoffman has gotten the occasional opportunity. No matter the role, Hoffman has proven to be one of the most reliable bullpen weapons for the Phillies this season, posting a 1.27 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.

Atlanta is expected to activate Minter (hip) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While making his third rehab appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, Minter tossed a scoreless inning. Assuming his left hip is feeling fine coming out of the minor-league outing, he should join Atlanta for the start of its three-game series versus the Giants. Daysbel Hernandez was optioned to Gwinnett following Atlanta's 4-2 loss to the Pirates on Sunday, creating an opening in the bullpen for Minter.

Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett following Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

Hernandez was called up June 17, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings while striking out nine batters over six appearances out of Atlanta's bullpen. The right-hander will now head back to Gwinnett, but he'll likely get another shot with the big-league club down the road this season.

Castro (shoulder) made his second rehab appearance in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Saturday, striking out four and allowing one hit and no walks over two scoreless innings.

Castro was placed on the Diamondbacks' 15-day injured list April 23 with right shoulder inflammation but looks to be closing in on a return after turning in a pair of scoreless appearances in the ACL. According to MLB.com, manager Torey Lovullo previously said that the Diamondbacks are targeting this upcoming Wednesday for Castro's return from the IL, but that date could be pushed back if the organization first wants him to get in some work with a higher-level affiliate.

Chapman gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning but still managed to pick up his third save Sunday against Atlanta.

Chapman came in with a three-run lead in the ninth and worked in and out of trouble to grab his second save in his last four appearances. The veteran has taken over the Pirates' ninth-inning role since losing closer David Bednar to an oblique injury June 19th. There is still no timetable for Bednar's return, so Chapman is likely looking at a few more save opportunities in the meantime.

The Giants designated Howard for assignment Sunday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The right-hander surrendered six runs over 2.2 innings Saturday against the Dodgers and has now lost his place on the Giants' 26-man active roster and 40-man roster. Howard has struggled to a 5.63 ERA and 21:11 K:BB over 24 frames in the big leagues this season.

Roupp (undisclosed) was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 25-year-old was on the injured list at Triple-A Sacramento with an unspecified injury, but he'll join the Giants after making three rehab starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Roupp has a 5.27 ERA and 12:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings for San Francisco this season. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Roupp is expected to cover about three innings behind opening pitcher Spencer Bivens against the Dodgers on Sunday.