MLB Player News

Merrill was able to pinch hit for the Padres during Saturday’s loss, so it’s not a surprise that the star rookie is able to get back into the lineup against the Giants on Sunday. The 21-year-old will be facing Spencer Bivens and the San Francisco bullpen in the series finale.

Gray returns to the Rangers after missing nearly four months with a fractured right wrist sustained in spring training. The 33-year-old righty doesn’t have a clear path to a rotation spot, so he’s expected to work in a swingman role — something he’s done before, shifting between the bullpen and rotation — over the final two-plus months.

It took roughly four months for Jackson to go from Opening Day closer to designated for assignment. The 33-year-old veteran right-hander has been jettisoned to make room for Jon Gray to return to Texas’ pitching mix after posting a pedestrian 4.11 ERA across 35 innings (39 appearances). He collected nine saves in his Rangers debut. It’ll presumably be Robert Garcia handling the closing duties for Texas until further notice. They’re among teams most likely to add some experienced high-leverage relief depth at the trade deadline.

It would likely require a significant haul to extract Cease from San Diego since they figure to be buyers, not sellers, at the upcoming deadline. However, it’s theoretically possible they decide to move on from the 29-year-old righty since he’ll be a free agent at the conclusion of next season. Basically every major market club has put in a call to the Padres to gauge their interest and asking price. The trade deadline is just over one week away.

Davidson was awful in a short stint with the A’s, and the former first-round pick is booted off the 40-man roster to clear room for Ben Bowden on the 40-man roster. If Davidson goes unclaimed, he’ll likely report back to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Harris is booted from the active roster after Ben Bowden’s contract was selected from Triple-A. The 28-year-old southpaw has been a part of the A’s bullpen since the end of April, but he’s struggled as of late, and will look to get things right in the Pacific Coast League.

Bowden will have a chance to make his first appearance with the A’s after he signed a minor-league contract with the club back in December. The 30-year-old will likely be nothing more than middle-inning depth in this stint.

Bregman is getting a day of maintenance against Jesus Luzardo and the Philadelphia bullpen. He’ll sit with Marcelo Mayer getting the start at the hot corner and hitting ninth.

Handley will remain on the injured list, but it’ll be his wrist rather than a concussion that keeps him from returning to the lineup. The 27-year-old backstop should be back near the start of August if there’s no setbacks in his rehabilitation.

Young gets the boot after falling to 0-5 on the season with a 7.34 ERA with another ineffective start Tuesday against the Guardians. Zach Eflin was reinstated off the 15-day injured list to make a start Wednesday in a corresponding move.

Eflin is up to make a start after missing almost a month with discomfort in his lower back. The right-hander has disappointed with a 5.95 ERA, but his previous success makes him worthy of roster consideration for those looking for help in pitching categories.