MLB Player News

The Phillies will recall Banks from Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to Saturday's game in Kansas City, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies have a rare Friday off day because of the World Cup going on in Kansas City, so the Banks transaction will become official Saturday. Banks has posted a 5.86 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB across 27.2 frames with the big club this season.

Atlanta designated Hamilton for assignment Friday.

Hamilton has allowed four runs with a 4:3 K:BB over 4.2 innings in low-leverage appearances out of the Atlanta bullpen this season. The 31-year-old accepted a previous outright assignment to Triple-A, so he could remain in the organization again if he passes through waivers.

Atlanta activated Young (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Coming back from Tommy John surgery, Young was sharp in five rehab outings, posting an 8:4 K:BB while yielding just one hit and one unearned run over 5.1 innings. With a career 78:25 K:BB over 60.2 frames, Young could provide a nice boost to the Atlanta bullpen in a low-leverage role.

Atlanta optioned Karinchak to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Karinchak was unscored upon in six straight outings before giving up one run in each of his last two appearances. He's being replaced with a fresh bullpen arm.

Castano (pectoral) is expected to begin a throwing program next week, MLB.com reports.

Castano will need more than a week to build up as he works his way back from a right pectoral strain, so he doesn't appear to be in line to return from the 15-day injured list until after the All-Star break. Before landing on the shelf June 21, Castano turned in a 3.92 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB in 20.2 innings over 10 appearances out of the Colorado bullpen.

Atlanta recalled Molina from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Molina has been used primarily as a starter with Gwinnett, so he will provide some length in the bullpen after the team's relievers were knocked around for eight runs in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals. The righty has been charged with four runs (three earned) in five innings for Atlanta in 2026.

Atlanta signed McCutchen to a minor-league contract Thursday.

McCutchen was released by the Rangers in late May after slashing just .192/.277/.260 across 37 games. The 39-year-old has been assigned to the Florida Complex League for the time being but should report to Triple-A Gwinnett once he's shaken off some rust. McCutchen could eventually get an opportunity in Atlanta as a short-side platoon bat.

Friedl started in center field and went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Thursday's 7-2 win over Milwaukee.

Friedl belted a solo home run in the seventh inning and knocked in another run with an eighth-inning single. These were his first hits since returning to the majors at the beginning of the week. Friedl has started three games since his recall, all coming against right-handers, and he could remain the Reds' primary option in center field while Dane Myers (shoulder) and Blake Dunn (elbow) are both sidelined.

Trevino went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Brewers.

Trevino changed the complexion of the game in the fourth inning, when he took one of MLB's best pitchers, Jacob Misiorowski, deep for a two-out shot that barely cleared the fence. It was the first homer of the season for the backup catcher, who last homered in June of 2025. He entered the contest with a .192 batting average on the season but since coming off the injured list June 14, Trevino's gone 9-for-27 (.333) over eight games.

Merrill went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's defeat against the Dodgers.

Merrill was part of a big early surge by San Diego, as his second-inning long ball contributed one of the six runs his team scored over the first two innings. The homer was his first over his past 13 contests and accounted for just his second RBI over that span. It's been a rough season for Merrill, who entered the campaign with high expectations but is slashing just 212/.271/.349 with nine homers, 36 runs and 31 RBI through 83 games. He's at least managed to be a strong contributor of stolen bases, as he's swiped a career-high 18 bags on 19 attempts so far.