MLB Player News

Puk blew the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rockies. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.

Puk surrendered a game-tying solo homer to Randal Grichuk in the ninth inning, marking Puk's fifth blown save of 2023 and his third in his last four opportunities. Though manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Puk would remain the Marlins' closer for the time being. Sunday's blown save could be enough for Schumaker to try out other options at closer. If that were to be the case, Tanner Scott would likely be the first in line for save opportunities considering his recent success and overall 2.81 ERA through 48 innings.

Blach did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two hits over three scoreless innings in a 3-2 loss to Miami. He struck out two.

Blach made his first start of the campaign Sunday, serving as the opening arm for a bullpen game. Despite donning the opener tag, Blach went three innings and turned in his third consecutive scoreless outing (six innings). Though Blach has spent a significant portion of 2023 in the minors, he owns a 5.51 ERA and a 7:2 K:BB through eight appearances (16.1 innings) at the MLB level.

Kimbrel (6-1) blew the save but picked up the win Sunday against the Guardians. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning.

KImbrel took the mound with a 4-3 advantage in the bottom of the ninth but was unable to secure his 17th save of the season after allowing a solo homer to David Fry. The outing marked Kimbrel's first blown save of the season, first run surrendered since June 8 (16 appearances) and first long ball allowed since May 31.

The Cubs announced Sunday that Hughes (knee) has resumed playing catch, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hughes is in the early phase of his throwing program as he works his way back from the left knee alignment surgery he underwent in late June. Since he opted for a debridement procedure rather than a reconstructive one, Hughes will have a chance to pitch again in 2023, though his return from the 60-day injured list shouldn't be viewed as imminent. A target date for when Hughes might be activated likely won't emerge until he's facing hitters again.

Boxberger (forearm) is expected to begin throwing bullpen sessions during the upcoming week, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Boxberger started his throwing program at the Cubs' spring training facility in Arizona earlier this month and has been in the process of gradually stretching out his long-toss distance off flat ground over the past three weeks. He now looks like he's ready to move on to the next phase of his rehab by stepping back on the mound. After a week of throwing off the mound, Boxberger could then be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice before he heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Boxberger has been on the shelf since May 15 with a strained right forearm.

Iglesias struck out the side in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over Milwaukee.

Iglesias has a pair of saves over his last two appearances since his July 18 stumble versus Arizona. The right-hander has pitched a perfect inning in four of his eight appearances this month. He's at a 3.94 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 37:9 K:BB with 18 saves in 20 chances over 29.2 innings this season.

Minter (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Minter has been on the injured list since mid-July due to mild left shoulder inflammation, but he felt good after throwing a bullpen session Saturday. His rehab assignment should be the final step in his recovery process before he's cleared to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen.

Atlanta transferred Chavez (shin) to the 60-day injured list from the 15-day IL on Sunday.

Chavez's move to the 60-day IL comes as no major surprise after manager Brian Snitker disclosed Saturday that the right-hander was still walking with a limp and was "weeks away" from being activated. The 39-year-old was initially deactivated June 15 due to a left shin contusion and won't be eligible to rejoin the Atlanta bullpen until around mid-August.

The Padres recalled Avila from Triple-A El Paso ahead of Sunday's game against the Tigers.

San Diego optioned its starter from Saturday's 14-3 win -- Jackson Wolf -- to Double-A San Antonio in a corresponding move. Avila is expected to serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen while he's up with San Diego.

Thompson (2-3) allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while recording one strikeout in one-third of an inning to take the loss Saturday versus the Cubs.

Thompson struggled and was pulled after allowing a two-run single to Cody Bellinger. Drew VerHagen then allowed an inherited runner to score the game's last run. Thompson has a win and a loss over his two appearances since rejoining the Cardinals' major-league roster. The southpaw has a shaky 5.79 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB through 14 major-league innings as a low-leverage option.