MLB Player News

Junk will make his MLB debut as the starter for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Junk came over from the Yankees at the trade deadline in a deal which sent Andrew Heaney to the Bronx. Junk isn't a particularly highly-rated prospect and has struggled to a 5.27 ERA in five starts for Double-A Rocket City, an uninspiring mark considering his age (25). His combination of a 24.0 percent strikeout rate and 5.8 percent walk rate over those outings suggests he likely deserved better results, though those are hardly the numbers of a pitcher who looks ready to dominate at the highest level.

Winn returned to Double-A Frisco's roster Saturday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports

Winn hasn't pitched since mid-August due to the team's COVID-19 outbreak. He was putting up great numbers prior to his absence, striking out 33.1 percent of opposing batters over 16 starts en route to a 2.57 ERA and 0.83 WHIP.

Albers (1-1) allowed nine runs on 10 hits and one walk with two strikeouts through three innings, taking the loss in Saturday's 11-4 defeat to the Rays.

After shutting out the Brewers over 5.1 innings Aug. 27 in his first start in MLB since 2017, Albers took a giant step in the wrong direction Saturday. He was shelled over his three innings of work, allowing home runs to Yandy Diaz, Jordan Luplow, Manuel Margot and Randy Arozarena. It remains to be seen how much juice Albers has remaining in his left arm at 35 years old.

Brubaker left Saturday's game against the Cubs with right shoulder discomfort, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Brubaker returned from the injured list Saturday after me missed time with a thumb injury, and it's not yet clear whether his shoulder issue will force him to miss additional time. He gave up three runs in three innings prior to his departure and will presumably be monitored in the coming days.

Feltner will be called up from Double-A Hartford on Sunday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

A fourth-round pick by the Rockies in 2018, Feltner posted stellar numbers in the minors this year to earn his first call-up. After going 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA with High-A Spokane to begin the season, Feltner got the bump up and hardly missed a beat with a 2.85 ERA in 72.2 innings with Hartford. Feltner is a candidate to step into the rotation immediately with Austin Gomber (back) done for the season. Ashton Goudeau is another option for Colorado.

Gomber (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports. He is out for the season.

The condition Gomber is dealing with is called spondylolysis or pars defect, a stress fracture of the bones of the lower spine. Gomber ends his first season with Colorado with a 9-9 record, 4.53 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 115.1 innings. It's uncertain whether he'll be a full go for the start of spring training. Gomber will be transferred to the 60-day IL on Sunday to make room on the 40-man roster for Ryan Feltner.

Bieber (shoulder) will throw a simulated game with Double-A Akron on Saturday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Bieber has been making slow-but-steady progress in his recovery from a strained right shoulder, an injury which has kept him on the shelf since mid-June. He recently completed a pair of bullpen sessions, reaching 36 pitches Friday, so a simulated game is a natural next step. He still has a few more steps to go before returning from the injured list, however, which won't leave him time to make many starts before the end of the year.

Civale (finger) is expected to return Tuesday against the Twins, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

A sprained finger has kept Civale out of action since late June. He's looked good in three rehab appearances, allowing just a single earned run on five hits and three walks across 11.1 innings while striking out 12 batters. He reached 71 pitches in his most recent outing, so he might not be able to push towards 100 pitches in his return, but Civale should still be able to handle a substantial workload.

Brubaker left Saturday's game against the Cubs in the fourth inning with an apparent injury, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

This is a tough break for Brubaker, who was just making his return from a stint on the IL with a thumb issue. It's not clear whether this is related to the thumb or a new injury entirely. Brubaker cruised through his first three innings Saturday before allowing the first two batters to reach in the fourth and also uncorking a wild pitch.

Brubaker (thumb) will be activated from the 10-day injured list to start Saturday's game against the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

A right thumb contusion forced Brubaker to the IL on Aug. 25. He will return to action having bypassed a rehab assignment, with the Pirates evidently seeing enough during Brubaker's Sept. 1 side session. Pittsburgh still needs to make a move to clear a roster spot for Brubaker, who sits with a 5.27 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 124:36 K:BB so far this season.