MLB Player News

Estrada was recalled from Triple-A Iowa by the Cubs on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs needed a fresh arm in the bullpen after Javier Assad's abbreviated start Thursday. Estrada was unscored upon in his first five appearances with Iowa and could work his way into high-leverage situations with the big club.

Assad was optioned to Triple-A Iowa by the Cubs on Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Assad came up for a spot start Thursday in place of Jameson Taillon (groin), yielding two runs over three innings in a loss to the Dodgers. The Cubs will need another starter when Taillon's turn comes up again, but Assad won't be eligible unless he replaces an injured player.

Heuer (elbow) will throw a one-inning simulated game at the Cubs' spring training complex in Arizona on Saturday, Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com reports.

Heuer continues chugging along in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. The beginning of a rehab assignment would seem to be around the corner, although there's no date for that yet.

Hudson (neck) was placed on the 7-day injured list Friday.

Hudson was sent to Triple-A Memphis ahead of the season to try and regain his velocity, but he'll now be sidelined for at least a week, if not longer. He's dealing with neck discomfort, per Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. So far in 2023, Hudson has started four games for Memphis, producing a 5.40 ERA and 1.99 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 18.1 innings.

Raley tossed a perfect sixth inning Thursday to record his eighth hold of the season in a 9-4 win over the Giants. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The lefty needed only eight pitches to breeze through the bottom of San Francisco's order and preserve a two-run lead, although New York blew the game open after that. Raley's eight holds leads the majors, and they come in only 10 appearances. The 34-year-old is well on his way to blowing past the career-high 22 he racked up in that category for the Rays in 2022.

Manaea (0-1) took the loss Thursday, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks over 3.2 innings against the Mets. He struck out three.

Manaea has struggled so far this season, posting a 6.60 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Furthermore, the southpaw has not completed the fourth inning in either of his last two starts. The former Padre is tentatively slated to face the Cardinals at home in his next appearance, which will be an important chance to rebound from these last two performances.

Hader picked up the save in Thursday's 7-5 victory over the Diamondbacks. He fanned one hitter over a perfect ninth inning.

Hader is now tied for second in the league in saves, having converted six saves in as many chances. The southpaw has been in top form to start off the season, as he's allowed just one run with a 15:4 K:BB over nine innings.

Strahm (1-2) took the loss against Colorado on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 11 batters over 5.1 innings.

C.J. Cron tagged Strahm for a two-run homer in the first inning, but the left-handed hurler was otherwise quite impressive. He struck out a career-high 11 batters and induced 14 swinging strikes in his longest outing of the campaign. Strahm is just 1-2 on the season, but he has compiled a solid 3.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB over 18 innings.

Suter has allowed two earned runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out 10 across his first 11.2 innings with the Rockies.

Suter has worked primarily in a multi-inning role, as he's recorded at least four outs in six of his seven appearances. He's pitched in relatively low-leverage situations -- early in the game and without the lead -- so he won't be a source of saves and may not even be in the position to accrue many holds.

Assad allowed two runs on three hits across three innings and did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Dodgers. He walked two and struck out three.

Assad wasn't particularly efficient or effective, needing 62 pitches to retire nine batters while serving up two long balls. The righty was filling in for Jameson Taillon (groin), who was placed on the injured list and could return in early May after missing at least one more start. Assad isn't guaranteed to stick in the rotation but remains a candidate to serve as a fill-in starter.