MLB Player News

Junk (shin) was able to throw a light bullpen session earlier this week and could throw a higher-intensity side session in the coming days, MLB.com reports.

Once Junk incorporates all of his pitches in a full-intensity session, he'll move on to facing hitters before eventually heading out on a rehab assignment. After landing on the 15-day injured list May 31 due to right shin bone inflammation, Junk appears to be tracking for a late-June or early-July return from the shelf.

Bieber (elbow) built up to 80 pitches Wednesday in what's likely to be his final rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo, giving up five runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out two.

The results weren't pretty, as Bieber served up homers to career minor leaguers Ryan Galanie and Andy Weber -- neither of whom are even on the 40-man roster for the White Sox -- but the veteran right-hander was sitting 91-92 mph with his fastball and topped out at 93.0 mph. With Max Scherzer (back) landing on the IL on Wednesday, the Blue Jays likely can't afford to give Bieber another rehab start to round into form. If he stays on turn, he lines up to make his 2026 big-league debut early next week at home against the Astros.

Riley went 4-for-9 with a double and an RBI across both games of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Giants.

After banging out a double in the first game, a contest suspended from Tuesday due to inclement weather, Riley stayed productive with three singles in the nightcap. The veteran third baseman has yet to homer in June, however, with his power drought standing at 23 games during which he's slashed .208/.311/.286 with four RBI. Wednesday's performance was encouraging, but Riley has a long way to go to climb out of an early-season hole that has him sitting with a career-low .647 OPS and just eight long balls through 73 contests.

Mayer is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Mayer started each of the previous five contests, but he'll get a breather during Thursday's afternoon tilt. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will occupy shortstop for the Red Sox.

Olson went 4-for-8 with a walk and a run scored across both games of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Giants.

All four knocks were singles, but it was still a productive twin bill for the first baseman. Olson extended his hitting streak to seven games in the process, and through 13 contests in June he's slashing .346/.375/.596 with a double, four home runs, six RBI and 11 runs.

Baldwin went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in a loss to the Giants during the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

The first-inning long ball off Adrian Houser was hit Tuesday, but the game wasn't actually completed until Wednesday due to inclement weather. Baldwin started at catcher in the contest, then went 1-for-5 with a run scored as the DH in the nightcap --although he did strike out in five of his plate appearances during the twin bill as he works to regain his timing after missing four weeks due to an oblique strain. Through 50 games this season, Baldwin's slashing .298/.381/.540 with 14 homers, 39 RBI and 41 runs.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Miller will start Friday's game against the Red Sox and will be piggybacked by Luis Castillo, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.

Miller and Castillo both made standalone starts in their last two appearances as part of a six-man rotation, but the two will be deployed in tandem Friday while Seattle shifts back to a five-man setup. The Mariners previously used Miller and Castillo in a piggyback arrangement on three other occasions back in May, with Miller working between five and 5.2 innings in those contests while logging a 1.15 ERA and 0.57 WHIP. Expect Miller to handle a similar workload Friday, as Jude notes that the right-hander will be limited to around 75-to-80 pitches before turning the ball over to Castillo. Hollander relayed that all six of the team's starters will rotate through and have one piggyback outing until the All-Star break, so Miller and Castillo will likely be separated and make traditional starts when their turn in the pitching schedule comes up again next week.

The Giants optioned Whisenhunt to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Whisenhunt made a spot start Wednesday in Atlanta and picked up the win, allowing two runs over five frames. The left-hander will rejoin the rotation at Sacramento, where he's collected a 3.65 ERA and 77:30 K:BB over 69 innings this season. Whisenhunt could be the first name called when the Giants need another starter again.

The Angels optioned Kerry to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Kerry made his major-league debut Wednesday in Arizona, covering four innings and yielding two runs out of the bullpen. The Angels will likely add a fresh bullpen arm later Thursday to take Kerry's spot on the roster.

The Angels optioned Porter to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

He's clearing out to make space on the roster for Tyler Heineman, who was acquired via trade to serve as top catcher Logan O'Hoppe's backup. Porter went 1-for-4 with a double during his brief time in the big leagues.