MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Assad lost his spot in the rotation in the aftermath of the Aug. 3 trade deadline and shifted to the bullpen, and he'll now end up losing his spot on the roster entirely after the Cubs reinstated Edward Cabrera (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Sunday. Assad is expected to get stretched back out at Triple-A to offer insurance in case injuries test the big club's starting depth down the stretch.

The Pirates optioned Dotel to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

The Pirates recalled Hunter Barco from Triple-A Indianapolis to replace Dotel on the active roster and in the bullpen. Dotel owns a 4.71 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB across 28.2 innings at the big-league level this season.

The Pirates recalled Barco from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Barco will be up with the Pirates for the fourth time this season and owns a 7.36 ERA and 2.11 WHIP in 14.2 innings over six appearances with the big club. The left-hander most recently tossed a six-inning shutout for Indianapolis last weekend and could be called upon to cover multiple innings of relief during Sunday's game against the Red Sox. Lake Bachar will be making a spot start Sunday, but he's expected to be in line for a restricted workload after making his first four appearances with Pittsburgh as a reliever.

Arizona selected Santana's contract from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Just 10 days after signing a minor-league deal with Arizona, Santana will be moved up to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster. Before joining the Diamondbacks, Santana had spent the season in Pittsburgh's big-league bullpen, posting a 6.05 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 37:21 K:BB over 41.2 innings. Arizona designated Philip Abner for assignment in order to clear room on the roster for Santana.

Atlanta selected Kerr's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

In a corresponding move, Danny Young was designated for assignment. Kerr last appeared in the majors with Atlanta in 2024, submitting a 5.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 22.1 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery that June.

Ashby recorded a save against the Dodgers on Saturday, walking one batter and striking out two over two hitless and scoreless innings.

Ashby entered to begin the eighth inning with Milwaukee up 4-1. He retired the side in order on 17 pitches and returned for the ninth, when he worked around a two-out walk and subsequent fielding error to finish off the save. It was Ashby's first save of the season, as he's instead been busy racking up victories -- his 13 wins lead MLB relievers and are tied for fourth in the league overall. Ashby has managed that total despite an underwhelming 3.42 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, though he has an impressive 97 punchouts through 68.1 innings and has been scored upon in just one outing (albeit in a five-run blowup) over his past 12 appearances.

Banks (forearm) has progressed to throwing bullpen sessions, per MLB.com.

Banks' next step will be live batting practice, which could come next week. The left-hander is recovering from a strained left forearm, and he appears unlikely to rejoin Philadelphia's bullpen until sometime in mid-to-late September.

Pirates manager Don Kelly said that Bachar will start Sunday's game against the Red Sox at PNC Park, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Paul Skenes had been slated to take the hill for the series finale with Boston, but the Pirates will instead push their struggling ace back a few days in the pitching schedule and insert Bachar as a spot starter. The 31-year-old right-hander previously made four starts for the Marlins but has made all four of his appearances out of the bullpen since the Pirates acquired him Aug. 3. Bachar will be pitching on three days' rest after covering three innings and tossing 46 pitches in relief during Wednesday's 8-2 loss to Miami. He'll be operating with a limited pitch count Sunday and is unlikely to work deep enough into the contest to qualify for a win.

Manaea did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Nationals, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Manaea entered the sixth inning with a 2-1 lead before surrendering a three-run homer to Brady House. While the end result was disappointing, the southpaw generated 17 whiffs on 93 pitches and has now completed at least six frames in five straight outings. He'll take a 4.22 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 113:37 K:BB across 111 innings this season into a road matchup with the White Sox next weekend.

Dion did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Mets, allowing one walk while striking out seven over 4.1 hitless and scoreless innings.

Dion entered with two outs in the first inning and dominated the Mets, throwing 41 of 64 pitches for strikes with 11 whiffs. The southpaw has thrived with his new club, firing eight scoreless frames and picking up one win in three appearances since debuting with Washington on Aug. 5. For the year, he owns a 3.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 33:5 K:BB across 27.2 innings between the Guardians and Nationals.