MLB Player News

Johnson (elbow) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day IL on Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

After throwing a live bullpen session Wednesday, Johnson was expected to be activated prior to Friday's series opener against the Padres. However, he'll get one more day for recovery before rejoining the active roster Saturday. Friday's contest is the first of 17 straight for Atlanta, so Johnson's likely to see plenty of opportunities once available.

Harris was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Harris was called up Wednesday and fired off 3.1 scoreless frames Thursday against the Astros. However, he'll go right back to Triple-A on Friday to make room for Brandon Bielak, who was acquired via trade Thursday. In 25 innings at Las Vegas, Harris owns a 7.56 ERA with 23 walks allowed.

Almonte (shoulder) remains shut down but hopes to resume a throwing program next week, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.

Almonte landed on the 15-day injured list almost a week ago with a right shoulder strain and is currently limited to doing strengthening exercises. However, the Cubs hope he won't need a long absence. Almonte boasts a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 20 strikeouts in 15.2 innings this season.

Muller could follow starter Mitch Spence as a long reliever during Friday's game against the Royals, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

With the A's rotation plagued by injuries, Muller was initially an option to start Friday's series opener. However, Oakland will hand the ball to Mitch Spence -- who's gone three or more innings six times this season -- to start the contest. Still, Muller could follow Spence and see multiple innings of work if needed.

Banda was traded from the Guardians to the Dodgers for cash considerations Friday.

Banda will head to Los Angeles after playing with the Guardians' Triple-A affiliate in Colombus. The 30-year-old left-hander logged a 2.12 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with a 25:6 K:BB across 17.0 IP with the Clippers this season.

Spence will start Friday in Kansas City, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

It will be the first major-league start for Spence, who has posted a 4.26 ERA and 22:7 K:BB over 25.1 innings covering 11 relief appearances. The Rule 5 pick will be pitching on three days' rest after allowing two runs over two-thirds of an inning Monday in Houston, so he likely won't be able to pitch deep into Friday's contest. Spence has gone three-plus frames in six of his relief appearances, including a season-long 4.2-inning outing May 5 versus the Marlins. He could wind up piggybacking with Kyle Muller, who is also available to work multiple innings.

Merryweather (ribs/back) could start a throwing program Monday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The right-hander has been shut down since he suffered a rib stress fracture in his back in early April but is now ready to begin a throwing program. Merryweather will be eligible to return from the 60-day IL in early June but will likely require more time before being reinstated.

The Cubs placed Brewer on the 15-day injured list Friday with a lower-back injury, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

It's not clear when Brewer's back began bothering him, but his last appearance came Sunday in Pittsburgh. He's been an effective middle reliever for the Cubs this season, collecting a 3.09 ERA and 12:4 K:BB over 11.2 frames. Porter Hodge will take his spot in the bullpen.

The Astros will recall Mushinski from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Friday's game versus the Brewers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

There's no word yet on what the corresponding move will be, but Shawn Dubin threw three innings Thursday so he is a candidate to be optioned. Mushinski has been knocked around for seven runs (five earned) over four relief innings during his time in the majors this season.

Diekman gave up an unearned run in the 11th inning Thursday, walking one and striking out one, to record his first save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Phillies.

The veteran southpaw couldn't stop the phantom runner from coming home thanks in part to a Pete Alonso error, but Diekman otherwise wiggled out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam to preserve the comeback win. Edwin Diaz had blown his third save of the season in the ninth inning, but the Mets aren't yet showing any inclination to make a switch at closer. Diekman's control issues could keep him out of consideration for saves even if the job does become open, however -- through 14 innings this season he has a 3.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB.