MLB Player News

The Nationals activated Chafin (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Chafin missed almost three weeks with a right hamstring strain but has been cleared to return after throwing a simulated game earlier this week. The lefty reliever will skip a rehab assignment and go directly back into the Nationals' bullpen.

The Mets placed Nunez on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right elbow sprain.

Nunez has done a nice job with the Mets since being recalled from Triple-A in late June, giving up two runs over six innings while striking out eight batters and logging two holds. However, he won't get another chance to pitch until after the All-Star break thanks to an elbow sprain that appeared following his last outing Wednesday. Paul Blackburn (shoulder) will move to the IL with Nunez, creating space for Justin Hagenman and Rico Garcia to join New York.

McNeil is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Brewers.

Southpaw Jose Quintana is toeing the rubber for the Brewers, marking the third straight time the left-handed-hitting McNeil has been absent from the lineup against a lefty. He had started versus four left-handers in a row before that and has a higher OPS against southpaws (.850) than he does righties (.812) this season, so McNeil shouldn't be considered an auto-sit versus lefties moving forward. Brett Baty is at second base and Tyrone Taylor is in center field for the Mets in the series finale.

The Mets placed Blackburn on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Monday, due to a right shoulder impingement.

Blackburn wasn't able to make it past the first inning of his last start -- partially because he had to sit for 89 minutes during a rain delay before coming out for the second frame, during which he allowed three runs on five consecutive hits. He also seems to have also come away from that outing with a shoulder injury, which will cause him to remain on the injured list through the All-Star break. He'll be joined on the IL by Dedniel Nunez (elbow), and the Mets will bring up Justin Hagenman and Rico Garcia to fill the openings on their pitching staff.

Baldwin is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels.

Baldwin started the first game of the series Monday but has now sat out each of the next two contests in favor of Sean Murphy. Murphy has started over Baldwin in four of the last five tilts, although Atlanta is facing a righty in Jose Soriano on Thursday for the first time during that span.

The Brewers pulled Perkins (shin) off his rehab assignment at Triple-A Nashville on Thursday due to a left groin strain, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Perkins had been performing well in the minors while working his way back from a fractured right shin, going 3-for-13 with a homer, two RBI, three runs scored, two steals and six walks through five games at Nashville. However, a strained groin will delay his return from the injured list. The severity of his latest injury remains unknown, but it puts him at risk of remaining sidelined through the All-Star break.

The Dodgers are expected to recall Ruiz from Triple-A Oklahoma City, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Max Muncy is set to undergo an MRI on his left knee Thursday, and Ruiz's arrival suggests the former is headed to the 10-day injured list. Ruiz was acquired via trade just after Opening Day and has slashed .292/.394/.458 with eight home runs and 38 stolen bases over 66 games with Oklahoma City. The 26-year-old can be an impact fantasy player with his speed if he gets regular playing time, but regular at-bats with the Dodgers seem unlikely.

Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said Thursday that the team is close to scheduling Tovar's (oblique) rehab assignment, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Tovar ran the bases Thursday and has previously hit off a tee as he ramps up baseball activities. He has not yet resumed taking batting practice and will need to show he can hit pain-free before being cleared for a rehab assignment, but it sound like that should come soon. Tovar has been sidelined since early June with a strained left oblique.

The Rockies recalled Agnos from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Agnos served as the Rockies' closer for a stretch earlier this season but was sent down after being scored upon in four straight outings. He appeared to get back on track at Albuquerque, permitting one run with a 4:1 K:BB in four frames. Agnos could re-enter the late-inning mix for the Rockies but is unlikely to be a frontrunner for saves right away.

The Rockies optioned Chivilli to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Chivilli yielded two runs while recording just two outs in Wednesday's loss to the Astros in what was his second appearance in as many days. Zach Agnos was called up from Triple-A to replace Chivilli on the 26-man active roster and will give the Rockies a fresh bullpen arm.