MLB Player News

Merrill went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Cardinals.

Merrill put an exclamation point on a three-hit effort with a two-run homer in the ninth inning, notching a homer and a steal in the same game for the second time this season. The 23-year-old is showing some signs of life at the plate, going deep twice in his past five contests while tallying multiple hits in four of his past eight. On the season, he's slashing .213/.277/.358 with eight home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored and 12 stolen bases across 294 plate appearances.

The Giants activated Gage (knee) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Gage has been sidelined since early June with right knee inflammation, but he made one successful rehab appearance to show the Giants he was ready to go. Reiver Sanmartin was optioned back to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.

The Giants optioned Sanmartin to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Sanmartin made two appearances for San Francisco, allowing three runs on three solo home runs. He'll be replaced on the roster by Matt Gage (knee) who was activated from the 15-day injured list.

The Giants recalled Whisenhunt from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Whisenhunt will start Wednesday's game in Atlanta in that will be his first outing with the big club this season. The left-hander holds a 3.65 ERA and 77:30 K:BB over 69 innings covering 13 starts and one relief appearance this season with Sacramento. Whisenhunt is serving as the 27th man, as the two clubs are allowed an extra roster space since Tuesday's suspended game was completed earlier Wednesday. The lefty will likely head back to Sacramento following the spot start.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Wednesday that Acuna (hamstring) is a "long way" from returning from the 10-day injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Acuna missed nearly three weeks of action in May with a left hamstring strain and landed back on the IL one week ago with the same injury. Because the strain is in the same spot, Weiss noted that the club will be more cautious this time around with the star outfielder. With the All-Star break less than four weeks away, Atlanta could choose to hold Acuna out until the second half.

Atlanta selected Camargo's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Camargo will serve as a third catcher for Atlanta. The 26-year-old has a .581 OPS with two home runs and a 4:57 BB:K at Gwinnett this season.

Atlanta optioned Molina to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Molina logged two innings Wednesday versus the Giants in the completion of Tuesday's suspended game, allowing a couple runs. Atlanta will add Carlos Carrasco as Molina's roster replacement.

Johnston is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Cubs.

It's the first time since mid-April that the left-handed-hitting Johnston is not in the lineup against a right-hander (in this case, Javier Assad). Jake McCarthy and Tyler Freeman will fill the corner outfield spots for the Rockies in the series finale.

Castro is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Cubs.

Castro had started each of the previous nine games, but he'll get a breather during Wednesday's series finale. Edouard Julien is garnering the start at second base in Castro's stead.

Lawlar will start in center field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Lawlar has cracked the starting nine for a fourth game in a row, with the Diamondbacks having faced three lefties and one righty during that stretch. Since coming off the 60-day injured list Friday, Lawlar has gone just 2-for-12 at the plate, but he's reached base on four other occasions (two walks, two hit-by-pitches) and has gone 3-for-3 on steal attempts. With the Diamondbacks demoting Ryan Waldschmidt to Triple-A Reno earlier this week, Lawlar could have a clear path to playing regularly in center field.