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Birdsong is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday in Atlanta, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Advice: The banged-up Giants have only two members of their Opening Day rotation (Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks) available at the moment, so San Francisco should have a spot available for Birdsong until at least three of Kyle Harrison (ankle), Blake Snell (groin), Alex Cobb (hip), Robbie Ray (elbow) and Keaton Winn (elbow) come back from the injured list. After being expedited to the big leagues last week following just two starts at Triple-A Sacramento, Birdsong demonstrated shaky command in his MLB debut against the Cubs on Wednesday, giving up three runs on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. On a positive note, Birdsong induced nine swings and misses and finished with five punchouts. His long-term outlook remains promising, but Birdsong shapes up as a risky fantasy option heading into what will likely be a two-start week. After facing off against Atlanta, the 23-year-old right-hander lines up for another turn Sunday in Cleveland. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 12:02 pm

Mercado is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Advice: Just as Rob Thomson suggested would be the case shortly before Spencer Turnbull's (lat) placement on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Mercado is the next man up in the Philadelphia rotation. He should stick around as the Phillies' No. 5 starter at least until Taijuan Walker (finger) is ready to come off the IL, as Turnbull is projected to miss 6-to-8 weeks and won't factor into the rotation mix anytime soon. The 25-year-old Mercado made his a one-inning relief appearance in his MLB debut last week, but he had been operating as a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to his June 23 call-up and shouldn't be facing any major restrictions with his pitch count Tuesday. Mercado -- who has posted a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB in 47.1 innings at Triple-A this season -- lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing set to come next Sunday in Atlanta. Rotowire.com Sunday, 4:38 pm

Michael Kopech pitched a hitless ninth inning against the Rockies for his seventh save Friday.

Advice: Kopech has saves on back-to-back days after going nearly six weeks without one. It’s good to see, but it does mean he’ll be of Saturday, perhaps creating a save opportunity for Steven Wilson. John Brebbia has also pitched back-to-back days, so he probably won’t be an option. Rotoworld Friday, 9:35 pm

Kopech struck out one while not allowing a hit or a walk during the ninth inning Thursday to pick up the save against Atlanta.

Advice: A fielding error is all that prevented a 1-2-3 outing from Kopech, who collected his first save since May 15 after having blown his previous three opportunities. Kopech carries an impressive K/9 rate of 13.0, collecting 48 strikeouts over 33.1 innings. However, he's also allowed 48 batters to reach base (1.44 WHIP), including allowing 1.9 homers and 5.1 walks per nine innings. Kopech is a piece the White Sox will strongly consider selling at the trade deadline and will look for more performances like he provided Thursday to help them maximize the return they might get for him. Rotowire.com Friday, 12:51 am

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after Wednesday's game that Mercado would likely join the rotation if Spencer Turnbull (lat) needed to miss time, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Advice: Turnbull has since been placed on the 15-day injured list, so it would appear Mercado is set to join the Phillies' rotation next week. Mercado made one one-inning relief appearance earlier this week in his major-league debut, but he's been used mostly as a starter this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, collecting a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB over 47.1 frames covering 10 starts and four relief outings. The 25-year-old's first big-league start is tentatively lined up to come Tuesday in Chicago against the Cubs. Rotowire.com Thursday, 12:17 pm