MLB Player News

Ferguson (elbow) is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery sometime next week, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The news seemed almost inevitable after Wednesday's MRI showed damage to the UCL in his left elbow, and manager Dave Roberts has now confirmed the surgery will be necessary. The timing of the injury will likely result in Ferguson missing the entirety of the 2021 season.

Yacabonis cleared waivers and was outrighted to the alternate training site Thursday.

The 28-year-old was designated for assignment earlier in the week but will remain in the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. Yacabonis appeared in two games for Seattle this season and gave up one run on two hits with one strikeout and three walks over 2.1 innings.

Wilson was optioned to Atlanta's alternate training site Thursday.

Wilson served out of the bullpen while Max Fried (back) was sidelined, but he'll return to the alternate training site after Fried was reinstated from the injured list Thursday. Across three appearances during his most recent stint on the active roster, Wilson earned one save as he allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings.

Anderson (1-1) was charged with the loss in an extra-inning defeat at the hands of the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing a hit on two runs (one earned) over one inning while striking out the side.

The normally reliable right-hander finally faltered, surrendering a two-run home run to Luis Garcia with inning-opening baserunner Carter Kieboom aboard in the 10th to snap a 2-2 tie. Anderson rebounded to mow down Victor Robles, Michael Taylor and Jake Noll on swinging strikeouts, but he was ultimately saddled with the loss when the Nationals' Kyle McGowin returned the favor against a trio of Rays in the home half of the frame. Despite the stumble, Anderson now has an eye-popping 22:2 K:BB across 13 innings, with just 23 of the 47 batters he's faced successfully putting the ball in play against him.

Stiever will start Friday's game at Cincinnati, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old allowed one run over 3.2 frames in his major-league debut last weekend, and he'll make his second start in Friday's series opener. Stiever threw 73 pitches during his first start and figures to have a similar workload against the Reds.

Merryweather will serve as the opener Thursday against the Yankees, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

The 28-year-old has opened two games this season and covered two scoreless frames in each outing. Merryweather has a 3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB overall this season. Chase Anderson is set to follow as Thursday's primary pitcher.

Richards was recalled from the alternate training site for Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles and is likely to start or serve as the primary pitcher in Game 2, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The team won't make any plans official until the completion of the matinee, but as of now Richards is expected to see the bulk of the innings during Game 2. The 27-year-old has a 5.34 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 28.2 innings this season.

Phillips was recalled from the alternate training site for Thursday's doubleheader against the Rays.

The 26-year-old will join Baltimore as the 29th man for the twin bill and should return to the alternate site after Game 2. Phillips has a 4.09 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB over 11 innings this season.

Zimmermann is starting Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rays, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The roster move won't be official until after the completion of the matinee, but the 25-year-old is penciled in as the starter for Game 2. Zimmermann made his way to Triple-A in 2019 and made seven starts with a 4.89 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB over 38.2 innings. According to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, the young right-hander may not remain in the rotation after Thursday, but he'll still have a role with the big-league club for the closing stretch of the season.

Williams tossed a scoreless inning of relief and struck out two batters in the Brewers' victory over the Cardinals in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Williams allowed four runners to cross the plate -- just one of those runs were earned -- over his first four outings of the season, but he has been otherwordly since, giving up zero runs of any sort over his last 15 trips to the mound while striking out 35 batters in 16.2 innings (18.9 K/9) and allowing just eight runners to even reach base (0.48 WHIP). Williams' fantasy value at present is somewhat limited by his lack of saves, but should the Brewers move Josh Hader at any point and install Williams as the closer, few relievers would be as or more desirable in fantasy leagues.