MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Ferguson to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday.

Ferguson served as the team's 27th man during Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Mets, tossing two scoreless innings in the first game. He could get another chance in the majors later this summer but for now will rejoin the bullpen at Iowa.

Thornton earned a save against the Mets on Thursday, retiring all three batters he faced with no strikeouts in the 10th inning.

The Cubs are without closer Daniel Palencia, who is on the injured list due to a flexor strain. Jacob Webb earned the team's first save following Palencia's injury, but he was deployed in the ninth inning Thursday and kept the game tied. After Chicago took a one-run lead in the top of the 10th, Thornton was called upon to close things out. He needed just 10 pitches to retire the side in order and notch the second save of his eight-year MLB career. The closer situation for the Cubs is hazy with Palencia out of the picture, so Thornton could be called upon again to close given his strong 2.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 17 outings this season. However, he doesn't fit the typical closer profile, as he's recorded only 10 strikeouts across 22 innings.

Beeter blew the save Thursday against the Phillies, as he was charged with no runs while allowing no hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Beeter was charged with his fourth blown save after allowing two inherited runners to score and tie the game in the seventh inning. Washington's beleaguered bullpen is searching for answers, as it surrendered 15 combined runs in the ninth inning over this four-game series with Philadelphia. The Nationals optioned the struggling Gus Varland to Triple-A Rochester immediately following Thursday's loss, likely rendering Beeter, who has a 3.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB over 24.1 frames, as the favorite for saves while the team evaluates their high-leverage arms. Richard Lovelady could also be in the mix.

Varland was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after Thursday's 10-5 loss to the Phillies.

Varland was tagged with the loss Thursday after he entered the contest with the score knotted up at 5-5 in the eighth inning, surrendering five runs on six hits while striking out two batters over two innings. The right-hander was able to blank the Phillies in the eighth inning before he came undone in the ninth, allowing five hits, including two homers. He has now given up 11 runs over seven frames in his last six appearances, watching his ERA balloon from 4.01 to 6.25 over 31.2 innings on the year. Varland was far from the only problem in the Nationals' bullpen recently, as the team combined to allow 15 ninth-inning runs over the final three contests of their four-game set with the Phillies.

Pfaadt is not listed for a start this weekend against Tampa Bay.

Pfaadt was expected to make his return to the major-league roster and take the mound in Friday's series opener versus the Rays, but after Thursday's contest against the Cardinals was postponed, plans have evidently changed. Arizona is listing Zac Gallen, Jose Cabrera and Merrill Kelly as the probable starters for its three-game set in Tampa Bay. Pfaadt could still join the major-league rotation, but the Diamondbacks may now turn to him at some point during their three-game series at home versus the Giants that begins Monday.

Kilian (2-4) took the loss and a blown save in Thursday's 9-6 loss to the A's, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Entering with a one-run lead in the ninth, Kilian gave up a lead-off single before retiring the next two A's. However, the right-hander would allow the next four batters to reach safely, ultimately surrendering four runs with two outs as he took his second blown save this season. Prior to Thursday, Kilian had turned in nine straight scoreless appearances (8.1 innings), allowing just five hits while striking out 12 in that span. He's converted five saves this season while posting a 3.97 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB across 34 innings.

The Marlins will option Brzykcy to Triple-A Jacksonville prior to Friday's game versus the Cardinals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Brzykcy was recalled to the Marlins on Monday, but did not appear in any games. It is the second time during the 2026 season that the right-hander will have been brought up by the Marlins only to go unused. A corresponding move is yet to be announced, but it is expected to be Max Meyer coming off of the bereavement list to start in Friday's series opener versus the Cardinals.

The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hollowell gave up a solo homer while recording two outs during his appearance Wednesday, and he'll now head back to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Matthew Boyd (shoulder/knee), who is set to start Thursday's game.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Brown has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his neck and will have limited activity for the next month, 104.3 The Score reports.

Counsell also noted that Brown's injury is "very similar" to the one the pitcher dealt with during the 2024 campaign. That year, Brown was sidelined in early June and wound up not appearing in another game for the remainder of the season. The Cubs will have a better idea as to Brown's timetable in one month, but the right-hander is looking at an extended absence.

The Brewers optioned Yoho to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

Yoho was lit up for three earned runs during his inning of work Wednesday against the Reds, bringing his ERA up to 6.00 through six innings with the Brewers. He's had much more success in the minors (0.90 ERA through 20 IP), so the team will send him back down to Nashville to get back on track. Jared Koenig (elbow) is expected to return from the injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Cubs to fill the vacant bullpen spot.