MLB Player News

Assad is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Rockies at Wrigley Field.

After spinning 6.1 scoreless innings of long relief June 7 against the Giants in Chicago following Jameson Taillon's (hamstring) early exit, Assad ended up taking over as the Cubs' new No. 5 starter last week following Taillon's move to injured list. Assad thrived again in a matchup with a weak Giants offense -- this time in San Francisco -- striking out five batters over six shutout frames en route to picking up his fourth win of the season. The right-hander will get another favorable matchup for his upcoming turn, but Assad's standing in the rotation will be murky following Wednesday's outing. After a recent setback, Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) was able to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, and he could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list to replace Assad in the rotation the next time the Cubs need a fifth starter.

Lord (5-0) picked up the win against the Royals on Monday, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk over three innings of relief. He struck out two.

The right-hander wasn't particularly effective over 48 pitches (31 strikes), but he was the pitcher of record when the Nationals took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lord's been a versatile bullpen option this season, adding three holds and a save to his ledger over 22 appearances and 48 innings with a 2.44 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB.

Scott earned a save against the Rays on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Scott had just a one-run lead to work with when he entered in the ninth frame, but he didn't show any stress, retiring the Rays in order on 13 pitches. The southpaw is now 8-for-9 in save chances on the season after stepping in as closer for the injured Edwin Diaz (elbow) in late April. Scott blew 10 saves in 33 chances in his first regular season with the Dodgers last year, but he's been much better in 2026, as evidenced by his 2.40 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 36:3 K:BB through 30 innings spanning 32 outings.

Halvorsen blew the save in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs. He allowed two inherited runners to score on a hit and a walk without recording an out.

Entering with the bases loaded, no outs and the Rockies clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth inning, Halvorsen gave up an RBI single to Pedro Ramirez before walking Matt Shaw to bring in the game-winning run. While the runs were charged to Juan Mejia's line and he was saddled with the loss, Halvorsen was credited with the blown save in his first save situation of the season. The right-hander has split time between Triple-A Albuquerque and Colorado in 2026, posting a 3.31 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 16:14 K:BB across 16.1 innings with the big-league club.

Sewald earned a save against the Angels on Monday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two batters over one inning.

Sewald entered in the ninth frame with Arizona up 4-2. He retired the first two batters he faced before Donovan Walton tagged him for a solo homer. Sewald was able to shake off the long ball, though, and struck out Oswald Peraza to slam the door shut. The veteran closer picked up his second save in as many days to push his season total up to 18, tied for third-best in the majors. Since his last blown save (May 13 versus Texas), Sewald has allowed just two runs across 12 appearances spanning 12 innings, going 9-for-9 in save chances during that span.

Myers (0-2) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing seven runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

Making his third start of the season, Myers was in trouble almost immediately. He surrendered three runs in the first inning, including a two-run homer by Eugenio Suarez, and things unraveled further in the second. After allowing three consecutive batters to reach, Myers walked JJ Bleday with the bases loaded to force home a run and was removed with one out and the bases still loaded. Reliever Jonathan Pintaro was unable to clean up the mess, allowing all three inherited runners to score as Cincinnati plated six runs in the inning. Myers has now allowed 17 runs over his last 12.2 major-league innings, ballooning his season numbers to a 5.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB across 34.2 innings.

Palencia (2-1) worked around a walk to toss a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win in Monday's 5-4 victory over the Rockies. He struck out three.

After a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth inning, Palencia proceeded to strike out the next three Colorado hitters on 14 pitches. The righty then earned the win when the Cubs scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to erase a 4-3 deficit. Palencia is still sitting on only three saves, though he's mostly pitched well with a 2.70 ERA and 19 strikeouts across 16.2 innings this season, and the save opportunities should come if Chicago gets back on track following a rough patch.

Alvarez took a no-decision Monday against the Royals, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out five.

It was somewhat surprising to see Alvarez, who threw a season-high 90 pitches his last time out, get pulled after tossing just 58 pitches (40 strikes) Monday, but the hurler was nonetheless highly effective. The 27-year-old southpaw has yet to pitch at least five innings in 2026, though he's still managed to fan at least five in five of his eight outings. Alvarez is next set to bring a 3.49 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB over 28.1 frames into a tough road matchup in Tampa Bay.

Alzolay (elbow) has struck out four batters and allowed two earned runs on four hits and three walks across three innings in three appearances for Triple-A Syracuse since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list June 4.

Alzolay was on the shelf for the first two months of the minor-league season, presumably because he was still working to regain command and velocity following his August 2024 Tommy John surgery. After making six rehab appearances across three different lower-level affiliates, Alzolay received the green light to join Syracuse earlier this month, but he's looked rusty in his initial opportunities at the Triple-A level. Though Alzolay is only three seasons removed from saving 22 games for the Cubs, he'll probably need to return to dominant form over a prolonged period at Syracuse before getting another look in the majors.

Triple-A Syracuse placed Lambert on the 7-day injured list June 4 due to an unspecified injury.

Lambert, 23, has struck out one-third of the batters he's faced this season, but a bloated 18.7 percent walk rate played a big part in him submitting an inflated 6.19 ERA and 1.62 over 16 innings at Triple-A. He's without a clear timeline to return to action for Syracuse.