MLB Player News

Carlson signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Carlson was released by the Cubs in early May after slashing .175/.250/.350 over 10 games at Triple-A Iowa, and he'll now get a chance to redeem himself within the Phillies organization. He'll report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley but could work his way into a bench spot with the big club if his hitting improves and/or the Phillies' depth is tested.

Schwellenbach (elbow) received a positive update when evaluated last week and is expected to start a throwing program soon, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 25-year-old right-hander has already been ruled out for the first half of the season while recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. Still, starting up a throwing program is a major step in Schwellenbach's rehab progression. He'll likely ramp up his throwing slowly once officially cleared before returning to mound.

Manager Walt Weiss indicated Tuesday that Acuna (hamstring) is progressing well in his recovery from a hamstring strain but isn't likely to be reinstated from the IL when first eligible Wednesday, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

Acuna was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain and landed on the shelf May 3. He began ramping up his rehab work over the weekend. The 28-year-old doesn't appear too far off from being activated from the injured list, though Weiss also said that it will be "some time" before Acuna is reinstated, per Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan Atlanta.

Baddoo (quadriceps) will begin a rehab assignment Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Baddoo landed on the 60-day injured list before the season with a left quad strain that he suffered during spring training. He'll need ample rehab at-bats to knock the rust off and is not a lock to be added back to the active roster once he's physically ready.

Zastryzny (shoulder/ribs) will resume a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Zastryzny began the season on the injured list with a shoulder strain before being pulled off a rehab assignment when he suffered an intercostal strain. The lefty reliever has hardly pitched the last two months, so he'll likely need at least a few rehab outings before being considered for activation.

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.