MLB Player News

Walker allowed four earned runs on four hits while failing to record an out in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Walker entered in the eighth inning and gave up three singles and a double before being pulled. The right-hander has surrendered six runs over 1.2 innings in his last three appearances, totaling 42 pitches during that span. He now owns a 7.06 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 18:12 K:BB across 21.2 innings in 24 outings this season.

Assad is slated to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

After pitching 2.2 innings of long relief behind Matthew Boyd in his most recent appearance during Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Padres, Assad will slot back into the rotation weekend. While Assad has rolled to a 3-0 record, 2.70 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over his last three starts, the Cubs' willingness to use him in relief earlier this week could indicate that he's the pitcher most likely to move to the bullpen once the banged-up Chicago rotation gets some further reinforcement. Among the Cubs' injured starters, Jameson Taillon (hamstring) is the closest to returning and is set to make a rehab start Sunday, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to return from the 15-day injured list during the final week before the All-Star break.

Smith picked up a hold in Wednesday's 6-4 win over Arizona, allowing one hit while striking out one in one inning.

After giving up a run in each of his previous two outings, Smith threw nine of his 13 pitches for strikes Wednesday and helped slow the Diamondbacks after they opened the eighth inning with four straight hits off Ryan Walker. Smith picked up his second hold of the season, with both coming in his last two appearances. The right-hander now owns a 1.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB across 9.2 innings in 11 games this season.

Dodd struck out one in a perfect sixth inning Wednesday to record his second hold of the season in a win over the Cardinals.

The 28-year-old southpaw set down the top of St. Louis' order on 14 pitches (nine strikes), punctuating his performance with a strikeout of Alec Burleson. Dodd is adjusting well to a full-time relief role, albeit a low-leverage one, and through 22 innings over 17 big-league appearances this season he's delivered a 2.45 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss confirmed that Waldrep will start Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Waldrep made his 2026 debut with Atlanta last Friday, pitching two innings of relief behind starter Reynaldo Lopez. Both pitchers will be in the rotation this week, as Bryce Elder will have his turn skipped. Though Elder is expected to return to the rotation next week, Waldrep could end up sticking around in a starting role, as Atlanta is contemplating moving Grant Holmes to the bullpen. Waldrep's performance Thursday will likely influence that decision, though the right-hander shouldn't be expected to work more than five or six innings, regardless of how well he's pitching. Since completing his recovery from a Feb. 23 elbow procedure and beginning a rehab stint at the beginning of June, Waldrep hasn't tossed more than 71 pitches or covered more than 4.2 innings in any outing.

Kilian struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Kilian allowed five runs over 1.2 innings across his last two appearances in June, but he bounced back with a perfect inning Wednesday to picked up his seventh save of the season and his third in his last four appearances. The right-hander has a 4.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 43:17 K:BB over 36 innings this year. Kilian continues to operate as the Giants' closer, though he brings some risk in fantasy due to a high walk rate (4.3 BB/9).

Hill (shoulder) resumed playing catch Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Hill has progressed quickly in the last few days in his recovery from shoulder tendinitis, with Wednesday marking his return to throwing after landing on the shelf June 24. The next step in his recovery will be a bullpen session, though it's unclear when he'll be cleared to do so.

Bernardino struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Marlins.

The Rockies had a relatively fresh bullpen in this game after utilizing just one reliever Tuesday, so it's a bit of a surprise Bernardino got the save chance. Both Victor Vodnik and Antonio Senzatela went unused while Juan Mejia and Jimmy Herget pitched earlier in the contest to preserve the lead. Bernardino has had a decent season with one save, five holds and two blown saves while pitching to a 3.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 33.2 innings. Bernardino is the lone left-hander in Colorado's bullpen, so he may be called upon for some save chances when a string of left-handed hitters is due up. Still, chasing saves with any Colorado reliever is risky business in fantasy.

The Dodgers will recall Gervase from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Gervase will be welcomed back into the Dodgers' bullpen after firing nine consecutive scoreless innings with Oklahoma City. He'll replace Charlie Barnes, who threw seven innings out of the pen during Wednesday's loss to the Athletics.

The Dodgers will option Barnes to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Dodgers were expected to have a bullpen game Wednesday, but Barnes derailed those plans by pitching seven innings in a loss to the A's, during which he served up seven runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out two batters. Rather than keeping a taxed arm in the bullpen, the Dodgers will now send the 30-year-old southpaw back to Triple-A and call up Paul Gervase to fill the open spot.