MLB Player News

Hughes (knee) will play catch Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hughes went back on the injured list a second time last weekend with a nagging knee issue but is ready to start ramping things back up again. Given his previous setback, the Cubs figure to proceed more cautiously with the southpaw this time around.

Heuer (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

It will be the first game action for Heuer since he underwent Tommy John surgery last March. Because he's missed so much time, a lengthy rehab assignment figures to be in order. He could eventually work his way into high-leverage relief spots for the Cubs.

Assad tossed five scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's loss to the Nationals. He allowed two hits and struck out one.

With Jameson Taillon (groin) returning from the injured list and only going three innings to start the game, Assad was needed to provide some length. He did that and kept the Cubs in the game, though they fell 4-3 on a walkoff home run. Assad entered the contest with an ugly 9.82 ERA but was able to lower that figure to 5.84. The righty doesn't have a ton of fantasy value as a long reliever, though he could enter the rotation at some point this year.

Minter allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 6-3 win over Miami.

Minter has dealt with some trouble in recent outings, but Atlanta's lead was never in danger Thursday. This was just his third scoreless effort in his last seven appearances. He has a 7.47 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB across 15.2 innings this season and is 7-for-9 in save chances, though Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is nearing his return to the injured list and should quickly reclaim closing duties.

Nelson (hamstring) was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday and optioned to Double-A Reading.

Nelson is fully recovered from the left hamstring strain that he suffered in mid-March, but the Phillies don't have a spot for him right now on their active roster. He had been getting stretched out for a starting role on his minor-league rehab assignment, so he'll likely step into Reading's rotation.

McArthur was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Thursday.

This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Jeff Hoffman, who is joining the Phillies' bullpen. McArthur posted a 7.31 ERA in 16 innings (four starts, one relief appearance) this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Marte was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

With the promotion of Jeff Hoffman to the major-league squad, Marte will head to the minors to make room on the roster. Marte hasn't found much success in the majors this season, allowing 10 earned runs through just five innings of work, and he will likely remain in Triple-A until he shows signs of improvement.

Hoffman had his contract selected by the Phillies on Thursday.

Hoffman triggered the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with Philly earlier this week, forcing the hand of the reigning NL champs. He racked up 16 strikeouts through nine innings of relief this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley but was holding an overall 7.00 ERA. The right-hander figures to operate in a low-leverage bullpen role.

Hoffman exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Phillies earlier this week, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Hoffman has yet to be officially released, so perhaps the two sides were able to come to a new agreement. If not, he will soon become a free agent. The 30-year-old right-hander has flashed improved velocity this season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley but was sporting an ugly 7.00 ERA through nine innings of relief in the International League.

Finnegan (1-1) earned the win Thursday against the Cubs after he allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

Finnegan entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 3-3 and gave up a walk and a double to Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, respectively, to start the frame, but the righty retired the next three batters to preserve the tie. Alex Call then led off the bottom of the frame with a walkoff home run. Finnegan pitched each of the past three days -- notching two saves in addition to Thursday's win -- so he may not be available for Friday's series opener against the Diamondbacks. Carl Edwards and Mason Thompson are likely the next men up should a save chance arise Friday, since Hunter Harvey also pitched the past three days.