MLB Player News

Abel will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays in Toronto, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

In his MLB debut May 18 versus the Pirates, Abel dazzled with nine strikeouts over six shutout frames, but he was sent back to Lehigh Valley immediately afterward while the Phillies turned to veteran Taijuan Walker to replace the injured Aaron Nola (ankle). With Walker underwhelming in two starts, the Phillies have decided to move him to a bullpen role, opening a spot in the rotation for Abel. He won't necessarily be in store for a long-term stay in the big leagues, as Nola could begin a rehab assignment next week before returning from the injured list by the second week of June.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Walker will move back to the bullpen this week, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports. "I want to see him in a one-inning stint and see what he can do," Thomson said of Walker.

Though Aaron Nola (ankle) won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list the next time a fifth starter is needed Thursday in Toronto, the Phillies will instead call up Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the void. Walker, who was roughed up for four earned runs in four innings against Milwaukee this past Friday, isn't expected to be available out of the bullpen until Tuesday or Wednesday coming off the 89-pitch start. Once he's ready to go, Thomson plans to give the right-hander a trial as a high-leverage reliever, perhaps as a setup man in front of closer Jordan Romano. The manager is optimistic that the shift in role could revive Walker's career, as the 32-year-old has largely disappointed as a starter since signing a four-year, $72 million deal with Philadelphia following the 2022 season.

Lee is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lee's absence from the lineup Sunday will end a run of 26 straight starts, during which he had a .234/.272/.346 slash line with three homers, two steals, 13 RBI and nine runs. Luis Matos will take over in center field and bat ninth in the series finale versus Miami.

Moniak is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Moniak has a .592 OPS in his past 10 games and will hit the bench Sunday against New York righty Clay Holmes. Tyler Freeman will start in right field and bat eighth for the series finale in Queens.

Estrada is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Estrada started the past two games after being reinstated from the injured list Friday, and he'll take a seat Sunday after going 1-for-7 with an RBI and a run in his first two MLB games of 2025. Orlando Arcia will man the keystone while Sam Hilliard enters the lineup in center field for the Rockies.

The Phillies recalled Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Johnson opened the season as a member of Lehigh Valley's rotation but transitioned into a bullpen role in late April. He's had mixed results as a reliever, striking out 20 batters over 14.2 innings but also issuing 10 walks and posting a 5.52 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. Johnson is likely to be deployed in lower-leverage spots while he's up with the Phillies.

Goodman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Goodman started the previous four games and will receive Sunday off after going 3-for-16 with a walk and five strikeouts during that stretch. Jacob Stallings will work behind the plate and bat ninth in the series finale for Colorado.

Bauers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

He's started just one of the Brewers' last seven games, with the 29-year-old sitting against four left-handers and two right-handers during that stretch. While the ongoing absence of Garrett Mitchell (oblique) has opened up a spot in the outfield, Bauers hasn't been able to take advantage. Expect the Brewers continue to use a rotation of Bauers, Isaac Collins and Daz Cameron in left field until Mitchell's return pushes Jackson Chourio from center field back to left.

Baldwin is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

After taking a seat for Friday's series opener against right-hander Lucas Giolito, Baldwin will sit against southpaw Garrett Crochet this time around. Sean Murphy will get the nod at catcher Sunday as the duo continue to split time behind the plate.

Verdugo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

With lefty Garrett Crochet on the bump for Boston, Verdugo will retreat to the bench. Eli White will get the starting nod Sunday.