MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Alcantara from Triple-A Iowa on Monday. He'll start in left field and bat ninth in the series opener versus the Dodgers.

Just over a week after being sent to Iowa, Alcantara will join the big-league roster as a replacement for Justin Dean, who was optioned to Triple-A. Alcantara has seen limited opportunities with the Cubs this season but has produced a .271/.363/.542 slash line with 17 home runs over 273 plate appearances at Iowa.

The Guardians acquired Lowe from the Reds on Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Lowe had to settle for a minor-league contract with the Reds during that offseason but played his way into a regular role in slashing .266/.341/.480 with 12 home runs over 83 contests. The 31-year-old should be in line for regular reps against right-handed pitching.

The Angels acquired Ballesteros and right-hander Mason McGwire from the Cubs on Monday in exchange for right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ballesteros had been playing regularly at Triple-A Iowa over the past six weeks, but he may not have to wait long to receive another look in the majors with the Angels, either as a designated hitter or as an option at catcher. The 22-year-old is firmly a bat-first catching prospect, though the Angels will likely have more patience than the Cubs in overseeing his development behind the dish. After recently dealing away Logan O'Hoppe, the Angels are left with the underwhelming veteran duo of Travis d'Arnaud and Tyler Heineman as their catching tandem, and it wouldn't be surprising if Ballesteros was prioritized ahead of them down the stretch. Ballesteros has already demonstrated himself to be a big-league-caliber hitter, producing a .249/.328/.408 slash line with a 10.8 percent walk rate and 19.9 percent strikeout rate over 241 career plate appearances with the Cubs.

The Rays acquired Hicks from the Marlins on Monday in exchange for infielders Brayden Taylor and Adrian Santana and right-hander Jacob Kisting, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Hicks has turned in a robust .282/.363/.432 batting line with 14 home runs and a 40:39 BB:K over 101 games this season. He's split time between catcher, first base and designated hitter in 2026, but Hicks should in line to serve as the primary catcher in Tampa Bay. He's under team control through 2030.

Yoshida went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and a walk in Sunday's 8-4 win over the Dodgers.

Yoshida opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning before adding a solo homer in the third frame. Sunday's long ball snapped a 14-game extra-base-hit drought for the 33-year-old, who went 8-for-40 (.200) during that dry spell. On the year, he's hitting .264/.341/.388 with five homers, 22 RBI, 30 runs and two stolen bases across 77 contests.

Alvarez went 4-for-5 with three doubles, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Rangers.

Alvarez turned in his second four-hit game of the season and recorded his first three-extra-base-hit performance of 2026. His third double came in the seventh inning and drove in two runs to extend Houston's lead. The superstar slugger has now reached base safely in 18 consecutive games and continues to put together an outstanding campaign. Through 111 contests, Alvarez is slashing .330/.442/.650 with 35 home runs, 24 doubles, 84 RBI, 77 runs scored and one stolen base.

Benintendi went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against the Rays.

Benintendi took Griffin Jax yard in the fourth inning for his 12th home run of the season and second in his last three starts. He's swung the bat well overall since the All-Star break, driving in 11 while scoring five runs across 16 games. Benintendi now has 57 RBI on the season and is well on pace to post his highest total since the 2021 campaign.

Lowe went 3-for-4 with two RBI, two doubles, a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-2 win over the Pirates.

With Spencer Steer (wrist) on the injured list, Lowe is tearing the cover off the ball as of late. He's batting .352 over his last 14 games, racking up three homers, four doubles and 12 RBI covering 56 plate appearances during that span. Lowe is enjoying a productive first season overall with the Reds, slashing .266/.341/.480 with 12 long balls, 17 doubles and 37 RBI across 276 trips to the dish.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ohtani (knee/biceps) is expected to play catch in Chicago this week, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani continues to serve as the Dodgers' everyday designated hitter, but he hasn't made a start as a pitcher since July 3 as a result of left knee inflammation and right biceps soreness. Despite having his throwing program halted on a couple of occasions, the Dodgers remain confident that Ohtani will be able to rejoin the rotation before the end of the regular season. The Dodgers will see how Ohtani's knee and biceps respond to playing catch before deciding if he's fit to get back on the mound to throw a bullpen session.

The Mets designated Melendez for assignment Sunday.

Melendez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in late June and has now lost his place on New York's 40-man roster. The 27-year-old posted a .665 OPS and 34.7 percent strikeout rate in 144 plate appearances while up with the Mets this season.