MLB Player News

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after Wednesday's game that Mercado would likely join the rotation if Spencer Turnbull (lat) needed to miss time, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Turnbull has since been placed on the 15-day injured list, so it would appear Mercado is set to join the Phillies' rotation next week. Mercado made one one-inning relief appearance earlier this week in his major-league debut, but he's been used mostly as a starter this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, collecting a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB over 47.1 frames covering 10 starts and four relief outings. The 25-year-old's first big-league start is tentatively lined up to come Tuesday in Chicago against the Cubs.

The Phillies recalled Marte from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Marte held a 2.70 ERA and 12:5 K:BB over 13.1 frames with the Phillies earlier this season before missing time with a shoulder issue. He will operate in middle relief.

The Phillies placed Turnbull (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right lat strain.

Turnbull had to depart Wednesday's start against the Tigers with right shoulder soreness. While the pitcher downplayed the injury after the game, subsequent testing revealed a lat strain. It's not yet clear how much time Turnbull might miss, but it's certainly the type of injury that could cost the right-hander several weeks. With Taijuan Walker (finger) also still out for a while, Michael Mercado could enter the Phillies' rotation.

Wesneski will remain in the Cubs' rotation following the injury to Javier Assad (forearm), Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Wesneski got a spot start Wednesday in San Francisco as the Cubs gave other members of their rotation some extra rest. However, with Assad landing on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Wesneski will stick in the rotation for the near future. He's tentatively lined up for two starts next week at home against the Phillies and Angels.

Ortega underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to remove a bone spur from his right elbow, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Ortega underwent an operation during the offseason to remove loose bodies in the same elbow, and his most recent surgery will ensure that he misses the entire 2024 campaign. An exact recovery timeline has not been provided, but the 27-year-old right-hander will aim to return at some point next season.

Roupp (undisclosed) made his third rehab appearance in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Wednesday, striking out four over two perfect innings.

Roupp has resided on Triple-A Sacramento's 7-day injured list since May 24 with an unspecified injury, but he looks to be close to a return to action in the Pacific Coast League. He's cruised through his first three outings in the ACL, punching out 12 while not issuing a walk and allowing just two hits over five shutout innings. The injury came at an unfortunate time for Roupp, who possesses a spot on the Giants' 40-man roster and might have been under consideration to join the injury-riddled big-league rotation had he been healthy.

Jackson (4-1) walked one over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Wednesday. He did not record a strikeout.

Hayden Birdsong went 4.2 innings in his debut and left with the game tied at 3-3. Jackson got the Giants out of the top of the fifth inning there, and Luis Matos put them ahead for a good with a solo shot in their half of the frame. Jackson had allowed five runs over 1.1 innings prior to Wednesday, and he's given up multiple runs three times in 10 appearances in June. Overall, he's struggled to a 6.12 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 20:14 K:BB through 25 innings while adding two holds and three blown saves in a low-leverage role this year.

The Cubs transferred Almonte (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Almonte suffered a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain this past week. He remains without an updated return timeline, but his move to the 60-day IL suggests the 30-year-old righty isn't expected back relatively soon. The Cubs signed Vinny Nittoli to an MLB deal Thursday to fill the open spot on the 40-man roster.

Kuhl will start Thursday's game against Atlanta at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Kuhl had started in 11 of his 13 appearances at Triple-A Charlotte prior to being called up June 14, but his first three outings with the big club have come out of the bullpen. However, Kuhl covered 4.1 innings and 99 pitches in long relief while mopping up in Sunday's 11-2 loss to the Tigers, so even though he'll be pitching on three days' rest, he should be able to provide the White Sox with a decent amount of length in a starting role. Unless he impresses against Atlanta to earn himself a longer stay in the rotation, Kuhl will likely be moved back to the bullpen or sent to the minors after Thursday's start.

The Yankees optioned Gomez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Gomez was sent out after he mopped up in Wednesday's 12-2 loss to the Mets, covering two innings while allowing five earned runs on four hits and three walks. The Yankees will replace him on the 26-man active roster with a fresh bullpen arm in Jake Cousins, who was called up from Triple-A.