MLB Player News

Junis (shoulder/head) threw a bullpen session ahead of Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Junis has resumed his throwing program after his rehab from a right shoulder impingement was derailed by a ball that struck him in the head during batting practice April 22. The right-hander was shifted from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL shortly after the incident and is on schedule for a return sometime in June. It's unclear if he'll need a rehab stint prior to being activated, and Junis may operate out of the bullpen once healthy.

Tarnok covered 1.2 innings and gave up four earned runs on one hit and two walks in his latest rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Tarnok has worked as a starter for most of his minor-league career and in his brief time in the big leagues, but Oakland may be preparing him for a relief role upon his return from the 60-day injured list. The 25-year-old righty -- who has been on the shelf all season while recovering from August surgery on his right hip -- has been deployed out of Las Vegas' bullpen in each of his last four rehab appearances. He hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of those appearances and owns a 13.50 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over his five total rehab outings, so Tarnok looks like he'll need more time to iron out the kinks during his rehab assignment before he becomes a realistic option for the Oakland pitching staff in any capacity.

Kennedy was designated for assignment by the Reds on Tuesday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters for the return of Alex Young (back) from the 60-day injured list. Kennedy was with the Reds for a handful of days and didn't make an appearance.

The Reds activated Young (back) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Young is finally ready for his season debut after recovering from low back disc degeneration. The left-handed reliever allowed just one unearned run over 11 innings on his rehab assignment. Young made 63 appearances out of Cincinnati's bullpen in 2023, posting a 3.86 ERA and 50:20 K:BB in 53.2 frames.

Spence will start Tuesday's game against the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Spence will make a third consecutive start for the A's after opening the season as a long reliever. Spence has lasted 4.2 innings and 3.0 innings across his first two starts, yielding three runs and striking out eight over that stretch. He's thrown 77 and 70 pitches during those two outings, respectively, and shouldn't be a viable fantasy option in most formats.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Phillips (hamstring) is on track for activation from the 15-day injured list Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Phillips struck out two batters in a perfect inning in his first rehab appearance with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday. He's slated for one rehab outing before rejoining the Dodgers for their weekend series at home against the Rockies, assuming all goes well. Upon activation, Phillips should immediately step back in as the Dodgers' closer.

Ort was claimed off waivers by the Astros and optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Ort was acquired by the Orioles in February but struggled to a 12.08 ERA in 14 outings at Triple-A Norfolk, which led to him being removed from the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old made 21 appearances for the Red Sox last season and posted a 6.26 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 23 innings, and he should serve as organizational depth for the Astros.

Miller will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Miller was unavailable to pitch over the weekend due to a calf injury, but he appears to be fine now. He'll likely work an inning or two Tuesday before turning the game over the bullpen. Baggarly notes that the Giants have discussed recalling Spencer Howard from Triple-A Sacramento to serve as a bulk reliever Tuesday, though the team has yet to make any roster moves as of yet.

The Twins transferred Topa from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday with left patellar tendinitis.

The right-hander was diagnosed with a small tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee in mid-May and isn't expected to resume throwing for another month, so a move to the 60-day IL isn't much of a surprise. Topa was a key bullpen piece for Seattle last season with a 2.61 ERA and 24 holds in 75 appearances, but he's been sidelined by knee issues since late in spring training and won't be debuting for Minnesota until midseason, at least.

The Twins selected Castillo's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Castillo's arrival with the big club was delayed a day by travel issues, but he'll be in its bullpen for Tuesday's contest against the Royals. The 30-year-old right-hander earned a promotion after posting a 2.50 ERA and 22:6 K:BB over 18 innings with St. Paul.