MLB Player News

The Phillies placed Rucker on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right hand arterial vasospasm.

More specifically, Rucker's right middle finger had been bothering him in spring training, as he didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances after March 1. Per MLB.com, Rucker isn't dealing with any sort of nerve issue or thoracic outlet syndrome even though he experienced numbness in the finger, but it's unclear when he might be ready to make his season debut.

The Giants recalled Miller from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Miller was optioned a couple weeks ago but ended up winning a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The left-hander will be making his major-league debut whenever he gets into a game.

The Giants selected Roupp's contract from Double-A Richmond on Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Roupp came into camp as a long shot to break with the big club, but he won a bullpen job after posting a 2.25 ERA and 13:4 K:BB over eight Cactus League frames. The 25-year-old will likely be used in low-leverage spots initially but could work his way into more pressurized situations.

The Phillies placed Kerkering (illness) on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right forearm strain.

Though Philadelphia is officially attributing Kerkering's absence to begin the season to an arm injury, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com relays that the hard-throwing reliever's main focus is building back up from the case of the flu that kept him from pitching in any Grapefruit League games after March 1. Manager Rob Thomson told Zolecki that Kerkering is feeling "fine" after throwing one inning Wednesday in a simulated game at Phillies camp in Florida, with the skipper noting that the right-hander's fastball touched 98 miles per hour. Kerkering looks as though he should be ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment shortly, making him a candidate to return from the IL when first eligible April 9.

Philadelphia placed Covey on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right shoulder strain.

Covey hadn't made any Grapefruit League appearances since March 1 after experiencing tightness in his right shoulder, so he could need more than the minimum 15 days to get fully ramped up and complete a minor-league rehab assignment. The veteran righty is expected to serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen once he's ready to make his season debut.

The Pirates recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

With Roansy Contreras on paternity leave, Hernandez will join Pittsburgh's bullpen for the start of the season. The 26-year-old southpaw registered a 4.97 ERA and 1.36 WHIP last season across 50.2 innings and will presumably head back to Indianapolis once Contreras rejoins the team.

The Diamondbacks placed Sewald (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Sewald is eligible to return from the IL on April 9, but given that he was diagnosed earlier this week with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, he'll most likely be sidelined well beyond the 15-day minimum. In Sewald's absence, the Diamondbacks are likely to turn over closing duties to Kevin Ginkel.

The Padres optioned Morejon to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Morejon was on the roster for the team's two games in South Korea against the Dodgers but didn't make the cut for the Padres' domestic opener. He'll work in relief at El Paso.

Atlanta placed Perdomo (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Perdomo is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last fall and is likely to eventually be shifted to the 60-day IL when Atlanta needs to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. He's not expected to be ready to pitch in games until 2025.

Atlanta selected Chavez's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Chavez was inked to a minor-league deal earlier this week with the expectation that he would eventually be added to the big-league roster. The veteran reliever should operate in a long relief role with Atlanta.