MLB Player News

Junis allowed two hits and a walk while striking out seven over four shutout innings Tuesday versus the Rays. He did not factor in the decision.

Junis threw 62 pitches (43 strikes) in a sharp outing, his fourth scoreless appearance in his last five trips to the mound. The right-hander continues to fill a swingman role, something that's suited the Giants well with a number of their pitchers this season. Junis is at a 4.10 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 81:18 K:BB through 68 innings over 32 appearances (two starts). Junis has past experience as a starter, but this was just the second time he's gone four innings all season, so he has a better chance of picking up wins if he's the one pitching behind an opener.

Miller (neck) had his minor-league rehab assignment shifted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, per OKC's broadcaster and communications director Alex Freedman.

Miller began a rehab stint Aug. 5 and made three appearances for the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League club, allowing two unearned runs and posting an 8:2 K:BB over 2.2 innings. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Miller will likely need 2-to-3 outings with OKC, including pitching on back-to-back days, before he's ready to be activated off the 60-day IL, per Eric Stephen of SBNation.com. Once that happens, Miller should regain a prominent role in the big-league club's bullpen, where's he pitched to a 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 31:18 K:BB over 30 innings on the campaign.

Milwaukee recalled Megill from Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Megill will return to the Brewers' bullpen ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Dodgers as J.C. Mejia (shoulder) heads to the injured list. Megill, 29, carries a 5.09 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 17.2 major-league innings this year.

Milwaukee placed Mejia on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 14, with right shoulder inflammation.

Mejia had yielded five earned runs over his last three innings (two appearances) out of the Brewers' bullpen. The 26-year-old will be on the shelf until at least Aug. 29.

San Diego optioned Kerr to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

Michael Wacha (shoulder) has been activated from the injured list in a corresponding roster move and will start for the Padres on Tuesday night against the Orioles. Kerr, 28, carries a 6.28 ERA in 14.1 innings this season at the major-league level.

Assad is likely to start for the Cubs on Wednesday versus the White Sox, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Marcus Stroman (hip/ribs) was expected to return to the Cubs' rotation Wednesday but has suffered a setback and remains on the injured list. Assad tossed seven innings of one-run ball in an impressive start Friday against the Blue Jays and carries a 3.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB through 60.2 innings (three starts, 18 relief appearances) this year in a swingman role.

Colorado activated Mears (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Mears is recovered from the left oblique strain that sent him to the IL in late June, but the Rockies will keep him on the farm for the time being. He carries a rough 7.16 ERA in 16.1 innings of work this season at the Triple-A level.

Helsley (forearm) won't make a scheduled minor-league rehab appearance Wednesday due to soreness, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

There's no word yet as to the severity of the setback, but Helsley now seems doubtful to return to the St. Louis bullpen at any point this week. Sidelined since June 12 because of a right forearm strain, he had allowed two earned runs through three one-inning rehab appearances with Double-A Springfield. Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero have been sharing the Cardinals' closer role in recent weeks.

Thompson (knee) threw 25 pitches in a simulated appearance Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

That could be the final step before he is cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Thompson had posted a 4.56 ERA and 40:19 K:BB through 47.1 innings of relief this season with the Nationals before he landed on the 15-day injured in early August due to a left knee contusion.

Hughes (knee) threw a successful bullpen session Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hughes is scheduled for another mound workout later this week. He could be an option again for the Cubs' bullpen sometime in September if he is able to avoid setbacks in his recovery from June knee surgery.