MLB Player News

Hill will be called up to start the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

A sore shoulder has sidelined Rony Garcia and opened the door for Hill to make his major-league debut. Hill is 26 years old and was a 26th-round pick in 2018, so he's not a player with a lot of pedigree. The right-hander has posted a respectable 4.06 ERA and 46:15 K:BB in eight starts for Triple-A Toledo this season, but expectations should be kept in check.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Marinaccio is experiencing dead arm, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Marinaccio tossed a perfect relief inning during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians but is apparently dealing with an arm injury afterward. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to the mound or whether the issue will force him to spend time on the IL.

Ferguson (forearm) is likely to be activated off the injured list in the middle of next week, Matthew Moreno of Dodger Blue reports.

Ferguson has been on the injured list due to left forearm tendinitis since June 20. He's been able to toss live batting practice sessions during the past week and is expected to throw to teammate Mookie Betts (ribs) on Saturday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Before landing on the injured list, Ferguson had hurled five scoreless innings over six appearances this season, picking up three holds but notching a less-than-ideal 5:4 K:BB.

Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo following the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays.

Castillo served as a multi-inning reliever for the Blue Jays after joining the major-league club in mid-June, and he struck out nine while allowing two runs, four hits and two walks in seven innings over his last three outings. However, he'll head back to the minors after Thomas Hatch was recalled to start the second game of Saturday's twin bill.

Hatch was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Hatch will make his season debut as the starter in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Tampa Bay. The right-hander has made 12 starts in Buffalo this year and has posted a 5.12 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 63.1 innings.

Diaz (biceps) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Diaz is scheduled to throw live BP on Wednesday following Sunday's throwing session, so he should remain on the 15-day injured list until at least late next week. The right-hander could take on a setup role once he returns to action since Hunter Strickland has performed well as the Reds' closer recently.

Merryweather (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Merryweather was placed on the injured list June 14 and labeled as week-to-week. The right-hander doesn't yet have a timetable to rejoin the Blue Jays, but he'll be unavailable until at least mid-August after shifting to the 60-day IL.

Mengden was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

Mengden joined the major-league roster as a replacement player after Joel Payamps (illness) landed on the COVID-19 injured list, but he'll head back to the minors after Payamps was activated Saturday. Mengden made four relief appearances during his time in the majors, and he posted a 2.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with one save in 4.1 innings.

Wilson was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

As expected, Wilson returns to start Saturday against the Brewers opposite Aaron Ashby. The Pirates could really use some length from Wilson after the bullpen covered 7.1 innings Friday -- he may have to wear it even if he struggles. Wilson has posted an 8.29 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in 33.2 innings for the Pirates so far this season.

Payamps (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday.

Payamps landed on the COVID-19 IL on June 13, but he spent the last week on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha. He posted a 6.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 4.1 innings over three minor-league appearances and will rejoin the Royals' bullpen after right-hander Daniel Mengden was outrighted to Omaha on Saturday.