MLB Player News

Manager Walk Weiss said Tuesday that Murphy (finger) is expected to be sidelined at least eight weeks, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

The veteran backstop landed on the injured list earlier Tuesday due to a fractured left middle finger, which he sustained Sunday in just his fourth game of the season after opening the year on the injured list while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Murphy's absence will extend into July and could push beyond the All-Star break. Drake Baldwin is poised to work as Atlanta's starting catcher, and the club signed Sandy Leon to fill the backup job.

The Pirates optioned Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Sanders has yielded six runs with a 7:5 K:BB over five innings out of the Pirates' bullpen this season. A corresponding roster move from the Pirates has yet to be announced.

Mets manger Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Robert (back) is still experiencing lingering symptoms and "is not progressing the way we would like," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The decision to call up A.J. Ewing earlier Tuesday was no doubt related to Robert's slow recovery from a lumbar spine disc herniation. Robert has not been cleared to resume baseball activities and appears ticketed for an extended absence. In the meantime, Ewing will get an opportunity to nail down the center-field job for the Mets.

Beeter (forearm) is ready to begin a rehab assignment, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Beeter is at the Nationals' spring training complex in Florida, so it sounds like his first rehab appearance will be for the team's Florida Complex League affiliate. The reliever has been sidelined since late April with right forearm soreness, and he shouldn't require many rehab outings before being activated. Beeter has collected two saves this season as part of a closer-by-committee situation, and he should be thrown back into high-leverage situations upon activation.

Minter (hip/lat) is expected to resume a rehab assignment this weekend, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Minter has been out all season while recovering from lat surgery and had to be pulled off his initial rehab assignment when he developed left hip discomfort. He appears to have moved past the hip issue and should be ready to rejoin the Mets' bullpen later this month if things go well.

The Brewers optioned Black to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Black fared well in his brief stint with the big club, going 9-for-27 while plating seven runs in nine contests. However, with Christian Yelich (groin) back from the injured list, Black's playing time was likely to be further reduced. He'll play more regularly with Nashville.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Petty was dealing with a blister during his start for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Petty bit the blister off his finger and continued pitching, but he allowed three runs on six hits with a 1:3 K:BB over 3.2 innings. It's unclear when Petty will make his next start, but the blister issue takes him out of consideration for a start with the Reds later this week.

Koenig (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It will be his first time throwing from the bump since he went down with a sprained left elbow in early April. Koenig will need a rehab assignment before returning and is not expected back until late May or early June.

Woodruff (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander was cleared to resume throwing over the weekend after having fluid drained from his inflamed shoulder last week, and he'll quickly return to mound work after landing on the injured list May 1. Woodruff doesn't expect to need a lengthy buildup given the brevity of his absence, so it's possible he's back in Milwaukee's starting rotation before the end of May.

Lockridge is expected to be sidelined until mid-to-late June after an MRI on his right knee showed a bone bruise, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Lockridge landed on the 10-day injured list this past weekend after hurting his knee when he crashed into a side wall in the outfield while trying to make a catch. He required stitches to close a deep laceration and has now been diagnosed with a bone bruise as well.