MLB Player News

The Marlins activated Junk (shin) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Junk will rejoin the Marlins' rotation with a start Thursday against the Mariners after being sidelined since late May with right shin bone inflammation. The right-hander made two rehab starts and threw 61 pitches in his last outing, so he's unlikely to shoulder a full workload versus Seattle.

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

Walker had been torched for 11 runs across his last 6.1 innings, resulting in the former closer's second demotion to the minors this season. His roster spot will be taken by Carson Whisenhunt, who will be the starting pitcher for Thursday's contest versus the Rockies.

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

Whisenhunt will start Thursday's game at Oracle Park against the Rockies. While the intention seems to be for it to be merely a spot start, Whisenhunt might tempt the Giants to keep him around if he pitches well. The lefty permitted two runs and struck out two over five innings in his lone start for San Francisco earlier this season, and he's collected a 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 82:37 K:BB over 77.1 innings in 2026 at Sacramento.

The White Sox are expected to activate Murakami (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Athletics, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

On the shelf since May 30 due to a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, Murakami appears poised to resume his outstanding rookie campaign this weekend after checking out well following two rehab games at Triple-A Charlotte. He's gone 2-for-7 with a double and a walk between the two contests and was able to play a full nine innings at first base Wednesday. Murakami's upcoming return from the IL is expected to most negatively affect fellow rookie Jacob Gonzalez, who had posted a .699 OPS in 29 games with the White Sox after stepping in for Murakami as the team's primary first baseman.

Teel is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

The White Sox will give Teel the afternoon off after he started behind the plate in each of the team's last three games. Drew Romo will handle catching duties in the series finale.

Cheng is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Cheng will hit the bench for the second time in the series, with both of his absences coming against lefty starters. Andruw Monasterio will receive the starting nod at shortstop, where he and Cheng appear likely to be used in a platoon until Trevor Story (sports hernia) or Marcelo Mayer (forearm) return from the injured list.

Vientos was removed from Thursday's game against Kansas City after getting hit on the hand by a pitch, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.

Vientos ran for himself after taking a 92-mph sinker off his right hand in the bottom of the second inning, but he was replaced on defense when the Mets took the field in the third. He'll presumably be sent in for X-rays to determine whether he suffered a fracture, and an update on his status will likely come in the near future.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

Narvaez will be given a break for the day game after he caught all nine innings and went 1-for-3 with an RBI during the Red Sox's 5-0 win Wednesday night. Connor Wong will check in for Narvaez behind the dish and will bat ninth.

Contreras' suspension for his actions in the June 30 game against the Nationals has been reduced from seven games to five games, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Contreras will begin serving the suspension Thursday and will be reinstated before the second game of a doubleheader versus the Rays on July 17. The first baseman had already been slated to sit out Thursday's game with a left foot contusion, but the injury should no longer be an issue by the time Contreras is eligible for reinstatement. Brett Harris is starting at first base for the Red Sox on Thursday, and he could share the position with Romy Gonzalez while Contreras is unavailable.

Duran is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.

After being included in the lineup against White Sox lefty Noah Schultz in Tuesday's series opener, the left-handed-hitting Duran will retreat to the bench for the finale while southpaw Anthony Kay toes the rubber for Chicago. Nate Eaton will step in for Duran in left field and will bat seventh.