MLB Player News

Anderson (oblique) will throw a full bullpen session Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Anderson already did light throwing off a mound earlier in the week, but it seems like he's getting close to a full return. The hope is that he can return to the Brewers' rotation sometime in mid-August, which would align with the original six-week return window. An exact return date should become clearer once he moves on to a rehab assignment.

Thompson will start Friday's game against the Braves, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

Jeremy Hellickson (the original Philadelphia starter) was scratched just before game time, potentially due to a brewing trade, so Thompson will be tossed into the fire less than a half an hour before the start. The 23-year-old right-hander will face off with Atlanta ace Julio Teheran in the series opener.

Farrell was traded to the Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations Friday.

Farrell was designated for assignment by the Royals on Monday, but the Dodgers saw enough in him to buy low on his services. The 26-year-old struggled mightily in his lone MLB start this season, although he did produce a 4.07 ERA and a 94:33 K:BB in 97.1 innings (16 starts) for the Royals' Triple-A Omaha affiliate.

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

Brandon Nimmo (chest) was activated in a corresponding move. Pill's latest stint with the big club was similar to his prior two, as he had a decent outing following by a poor one. For the season, the 27-year-old has a 5.32 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 22 innings with the Mets. He figures to be back eventually, but it's hard to imagine Pill being tasked with anything besides mop-up duty.

Scahill accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

Scahill was designated for assignment Sunday, and given his struggles in the majors this season, no team was interested in obtaining his services while he was exposed to waivers. The right-hander will now move into an organizational depth role with the Sky Sox.

Marquez' scheduled start for Friday was postponed by rain, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

The inclement weather gives the right-hander another day of rest and means he will likely start Saturday against the Nationals. Marquez will be looking to continue a strong streak of starts this month, as he owns a 3.56 ERA and 23 strikeouts over his last three outings, all wins.

Keller (lower leg) tossed seven innings with High-A Bradenton on Tuesday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six en route to the win.

Keller left his previous start on July 20 after getting hit in the shin by a comebacker, but the issue doesn't appear to posing any hinderance to his abilities. The 21-year-old should continue to develop with the Marauders, looking to build on the 3.28 ERA and 1.00 WHIP he holds through 14 starts.

Despaigne was recalled by the Marlins on Friday.

Despaigne has been solid as both a starter and reliever this season for Triple-A New Orleans, posting a 3.09 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 20 appearances (10 starts), and will get a chance to prove his stuff in the big leagues yet again. He takes the bullpen spot of Nick Wittgren, who was placed on the 10-day DL with a right elbow strain, but Despaigne is likely bound for a long relief role after allowing 10 runs (five earned) over 5.2 innings with the Marlins earlier this season.

Flexen (0-1) allowed four runs -- three earned -- on five hits and four walks while striking out two batters through just three innings during Thursday's loss to the Padres.

Flexen threw just 69 pitches and was clearly a little overmatched Thursday. However, in the 23-year-old righty's defense, he had made just seven starts above the High-A level. Even with a sterling 1.66 ERA and 9.3 K/9 over seven outings with Double-A Binghamton, he probably shouldn't have been expected to show well in his debut at the highest level. A return to the minors is likely.

Ramirez inked a minor-league deal with the Nationals on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The reliever will stay in the NL East after being designated for assignment by the Mets late last week. Because he's on a minor-league deal, Ramirez is unlikely to join the Nationals in the near future. Still, he could help a leaky Nationals bullpen down the stretch if he can improve in terms of limiting baserunners given his 1.79 WHIP and 62.0 percent strand rate over 31.1 major-league innings this season.