MLB Player News

Junis (shoulder/head) is headed to Triple-A Nashville to begin a rehab assignment, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The specific date of Junis' first rehab start with Nashville isn't clear, but it's imminent. Junis has been on the shelf since early April, first with a right shoulder impingement and then with a head injury that occurred when he was hit by a ball during batting practice. It's not clear how many rehab starts he might require, but it should be at least a couple given how long he's been out.

The Rockies recalled Chivilli from Double-A Hartford on Monday.

Colorado optioned right-hander Peter Lambert to Triple-A Albuquerque to make room in the bullpen for Chivilli, who is joining the big club for the second time this season. Chivilli didn't make his MLB debut during his brief stay with Colorado in May, but the big club could be compelled to open up lower-leverage work for him after he dazzled upon his return to Hartford. Over his nine relief appearances following his demotion to Double-A, Chivilli turned in a 2.61 ERA while racking up 21 strikeouts in 10.1 innings.

The Rockies optioned Lambert to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Lambert was needed for 2.2 innings and 72 pitches out of the bullpen in Sunday's loss to the Dodgers, so he's being sent out in favor of a fresh arm. Angel Chivilli was called up from Double-A Hartford and will take Lambert's spot in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Romano received an anti-inflammatory injection for his right elbow Sunday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano will be shut down for 3-to-5 days before planning to resume a throwing program later this week. The reliever received a similar injection for the same injury back in late March and wound up missing about three weeks of action, although it's not clear whether a similar timetable is expected this time around. Yimi Garcia collected a save for the Blue Jays in Sunday's win over the Pirates and is expected to serve as the team's primary closer while Romano is out.

Ortiz (ankle/shoulder) restarted his throwing program May 11 after being pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater, MLB.com reports.

Ortiz earned a spot in the Phillies' Opening Day bullpen but made just one relief appearance before being placed on the 15-day injured list with a left ankle sprain. He started up a rehab assignment April 23, but he made just two appearances after he experienced inflammation in his right shoulder. The shoulder is likely the greater concern than his ankle at this point, but the fact that he was able to resume throwing just over two weeks after being shut down is an encouraging sign. Ortiz had been gradually increasing his distance while playing catch as of mid-May, but it's unclear if he's since advanced to throwing bullpen sessions or if he's still limited to throwing off flat ground.

The Phillies transferred Rucker (hand) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Rucker has already missed more than 60 days with right hand arterial vasospasm, so the move is merely to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. The reliever is without a clear timeline to begin a minor-league rehab assignment or return from the IL.

Wilson is expected to be deployed as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Jared Koenig in Monday's game in Philadelphia, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Wilson started in his last turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Cubs, but he'll work behind Koenig for the second time in three outings after he previously followed the left-hander May 24 in Boston. In that game, Wilson struck out seven while giving up two runs across 5.1 innings en route to picking up the win, so he could still offer some value to fantasy managers Monday despite not operating as a traditional starter. Wilson tentatively lines up for two outings this week, with his second turn through the rotation set to come Sunday in Detroit.

Koenig will serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Monday's game in Philadelphia, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Koenig will work as an opener for Milwaukee for the third time this season, with both of his previous two "starts" coming in back-to-back games May 24 and 25 versus the Red Sox. He'll likely cover one or two innings before turning the game over to Bryse Wilson, who is expected to operate as a bulk reliever.

The Brewers outrighted White to Triple-A Nashville on Monday after he cleared waivers, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

White doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so Milwaukee had to designate him for assignment and expose him to waivers last Thursday, when the team needed to clear room in the bullpen for Nashville call-up Kevin Herget. After being acquired from the Giants on May 10, White made six relief appearances for Milwaukee and gave up eight runs (six earned) over 8.1 innings. The right-hander has functioned as a starter for most of his professional career, so he could get stretched back out as a member of the rotation at Nashville.

Howard is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Erik Miller in Monday's game against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants will go back to the well with Howard as their de facto No. 5 starter for another turn through the rotation while the team awaits Keaton Winn's (forearm) return from the injured list. After being called up from Triple-A Sacramento last Tuesday, Howard worked behind Miller and struck out four over four scoreless innings while taking a no-decision against the Phillies. Though he was effective in his Giants debut, Howard was less impressive in a larger body of work at Sacramento prior to his promotion (5.90 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 57:17 K:BB in 39.2 innings). Winn could be tracking toward a return from the IL later this week, but with Blake Snell (groin) at risk of landing on the IL after exiting his last start, the Giants might still have a rotation spot available for Howard beyond Monday.