MLB Player News

Junis allowed two hits and a walk while striking out seven over four shutout innings Tuesday versus the Rays. He did not factor in the decision.

Junis threw 62 pitches (43 strikes) in a sharp outing, his fourth scoreless appearance in his last five trips to the mound. The right-hander continues to fill a swingman role, something that's suited the Giants well with a number of their pitchers this season. Junis is at a 4.10 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 81:18 K:BB through 68 innings over 32 appearances (two starts). Junis has past experience as a starter, but this was just the second time he's gone four innings all season, so he has a better chance of picking up wins if he's the one pitching behind an opener.

Littell (2-4) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out five without walking a batter over 5.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Giants.

Littell came up an out short of a quality start against his former team, but he didn't get much help from his offense. This was his fourth straight turn as a traditional starter, and he's allowed seven runs over 22.2 innings in that span, adjusting to the role admirably. The right-hander is at a 3.99 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 41:6 K:BB through 47.1 innings over 20 appearances (seven starts) between the Rays and the Red Sox this year. Littell is projected for a road start versus the Angels over the weekend, and he should have some staying power in the rotation following news of Shane McClanahan's imminent season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Clase picked up the save Tuesday against the Reds, working around a hit while logging a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

It was a much-needed effort from Clase after he allowed three runs while blowing a save in his last appearance Saturday in Tampa Bay. Despite the hiccup, Clase's been dependable of late, working to a 1.98 ERA over his last 14 outings (13.2 innings). He's now 32-for-41 in save opportunities with a 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 52:13 K:BB across 54.1 innings this season.

Pressly picked up the save in Tuesday's 6-5 victory over the Marlins. He allowed one hit while striking out two in a scoreless inning.

Pressly extended his scoreless inning streak to five as he improved to 28-for-32 in save chances this year. He's allowed just two hits over his last five appearances while striking out six in that span. Pressly is now carrying a 2.92 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP and 56:10 K:BB across 52.1 innings this season.

Miller (neck) had his minor-league rehab assignment shifted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, per OKC's broadcaster and communications director Alex Freedman.

Miller began a rehab stint Aug. 5 and made three appearances for the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League club, allowing two unearned runs and posting an 8:2 K:BB over 2.2 innings. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Miller will likely need 2-to-3 outings with OKC, including pitching on back-to-back days, before he's ready to be activated off the 60-day IL, per Eric Stephen of SBNation.com. Once that happens, Miller should regain a prominent role in the big-league club's bullpen, where's he pitched to a 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 31:18 K:BB over 30 innings on the campaign.

Milwaukee recalled Megill from Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Megill will return to the Brewers' bullpen ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Dodgers as J.C. Mejia (shoulder) heads to the injured list. Megill, 29, carries a 5.09 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 17.2 major-league innings this year.

Milwaukee placed Mejia on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 14, with right shoulder inflammation.

Mejia had yielded five earned runs over his last three innings (two appearances) out of the Brewers' bullpen. The 26-year-old will be on the shelf until at least Aug. 29.

San Diego optioned Kerr to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

Michael Wacha (shoulder) has been activated from the injured list in a corresponding roster move and will start for the Padres on Tuesday night against the Orioles. Kerr, 28, carries a 6.28 ERA in 14.1 innings this season at the major-league level.

Assad is likely to start for the Cubs on Wednesday versus the White Sox, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Marcus Stroman (hip/ribs) was expected to return to the Cubs' rotation Wednesday but has suffered a setback and remains on the injured list. Assad tossed seven innings of one-run ball in an impressive start Friday against the Blue Jays and carries a 3.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB through 60.2 innings (three starts, 18 relief appearances) this year in a swingman role.

Colorado activated Mears (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Mears is recovered from the left oblique strain that sent him to the IL in late June, but the Rockies will keep him on the farm for the time being. He carries a rough 7.16 ERA in 16.1 innings of work this season at the Triple-A level.