MLB Player News

Junis (adductor) threw out to 90 feet Friday and expects to toss a bullpen session Monday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Junis landed on the 15-day injured list July 30 due to a left adductor strain. The fact that he's throwing suggests that the issue isn't severe, and Junis has said that he's hoping for a quick recovery. However, it's unclear at this point if he'll be ready to return when first eligible Aug. 13.

The Rockies reinstated Castano (pectoral) from the injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Castano has been on the injured list since late June due to a pectoral strain. He began playing in rehab games last Saturday and has since allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings. Now fully healthy, the 27-year-old will remain in Triple-A for the time being but could return to the majors later in the year as bullpen depth.

The Cubs reinstated Holmes (fibula) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Royals, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Holmes has been on the shelf since May due to a fractured fibula. He made three rehab starts in the minors while he was still in the Mets organization, logging a 3.86 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 11.2 innings. He built up to 73 pitches during his final rehab outing, so he isn't likely to have a significant workload restriction while he makes his Cubs debut against a Royals offense that's posted just a .688 OPS since the All-Star break. Braxton Garrett was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Rangers optioned Peoples to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Peoples has posted a 2.19 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 12.1 innings since joining the Rangers in early July, but he'll end up as the odd man out of Texas' bullpen following MacKenzie Gore's return from paternity leave. Peoples has also performed well at Triple-A this season (2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and is a likely candidate to return to the majors later this season whenever the Rangers need a fresh arm.

The Brewers designated Wilson for assignment Saturday.

Wilson signed an MLB contract with the Brewers in July, and despite turning in a 2.63 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 13.2 innings with the club, he'll now lose his place on the 26-man and 40-man rosters in favor of Lyon Richardson. Wilson owns a 4.24 ERA through 23.1 innings overall this season between the Phillies, Cubs and Brewers, though his recent performance could make other teams more interested in bringing him in off waivers.

The Reds optioned Petty to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Petty gave up three runs (two earned) in 1.2 innings while serving as the Reds' opening pitcher in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Nationals, and he'll now head back to the minors to open up a spot on the active roster for righty Ron Marinaccio, who was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh. Petty now owns a 4.83 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 31.2 innings this season.

The Athletics optioned Juenger to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Juenger will lose his spot in the big-league bullpen after giving up four runs on five hits in just one inning during Friday's blowout loss against the Red Sox. Yunior Tur was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the open spot on the 26-man active roster.

The Athletics recalled Tur from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Tur gave up 14 earned runs in just 2.2 innings across his first two MLB appearances in July, and he's coughed up 11 runs in 2.2 frames since returning to Triple-A. Despite his poor form at Triple-A, he'll return to the majors to give the Athletics another fresh bullpen arm to work with.

Cruz walked one and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning Friday to record his first career hold in Friday's win over the Reds.

Acquired from the Yankees in the Luis Garcia deal at the trade deadline, Cruz has quickly slid into a high-leverage role in the Nationals' bullpen. The right-hander topped out at 102 mph with his fastball but leaned heavily on his slider, which he used to fan Matt McLain and coax an inning-ending double play from Sal Stewart. Washington has been looking for a power arm to anchor the back of its bullpen all year, so Cruz should get a long look as a late-inning option. Through his first 6.2 big-league innings between the Yankees and Nats, he sports a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB.

Beeter struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 12th save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Reds.

The Nationals got a rare smooth performance from the bullpen, as Yovanny Cruz and Orlando Ribalta handled the seventh and eighth innings before Beeter wrapped things up. Beeter has been far from a lockdown closer, however, and over 12 appearances and 9.2 innings since the beginning of July he's stumbled to a 5.59 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB while blowing two of eight save chances.