MLB Player News

The Cubs list Brown as their probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game in San Diego.

Brown pitched out of the bullpen in his first two appearances with the Cubs, so Tuesday's start will be the first of his major-league career. The 24-year-old struggled mightily in his MLB debut, allowing six runs in 1.2 innings against the Rangers, but he bounced back with four innings of one-run ball against the Rockies last week. Brown impressed in spring training and looks promising in the long term, but he will be a high-risk option against a Padres team that ranks second in scoring offense so far this season behind only the Dodgers.

Phillips earned the save Monday, firing a scoreless, hitless inning during which he recorded one strikeout.

Phillips notched a clean inning for his fourth save of 2024, placing him in a four-way tie for the most saves in MLB. Outside of a hiccup in his appearance Saturday, Phillips has been near perfect this season, having allowed just one hit and no runs in his other five outings combined.

Lawrence allowed one walk and no hits while striking out two across a scoreless inning Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Lawrence entered the game in the eighth inning to face the fourth, fifth and sixth batters in the Arizona lineup with the Rockies up by two. While he was effective, the team opted not to use him for two innings and thus bypassed him for a save chance. Lawrence has now turned in scoreless efforts in three of his four appearances this season, and he could continue to appear in the most high-leverage scenarios rather than exclusively in save situations.

Lopez gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning Monday to record his first save of the season in an 8-7 victory over Atlanta.

Per Will Sammon of The Athletic, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had indicated Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley were all getting the night off due to their heavy workload early in the season, which pushed the team's other bullpen arms into high-leverage spots. Lopez got the call in the ninth to protect a two-run lead, and while his ability to close things out looked dicey when Matt Olson led off the frame with a double, the right-hander was able to escape the jam. Lopez did record 23 saves with a 2.54 ERA in a breakout 2022 before crashing back to earth last season, but he's had a solid start to the current campaign, picking up a hold as well as Monday's save over six appearances with a 3.18 ERA and 4:3 K:BB in 5.2 innings. He's unlikely to see many more save chances, but as a bridge to the Mets' usual late-inning crew, the 31-year-old could rack up double-digit holds for the second straight season.

The Dodgers outrighted Lamet to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday after he cleared waivers.

Lamet was removed from the 40-man roster after making three appearances for the Dodgers, but he will remain in the organization. The righty will presumably be used in relief at OKC.

McGough (0-3) was charged with the loss in Monday's game against the Rockies. He allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.

McGough entered to start the sixth inning and walked the first batter, who came around to score the tying run. He was out of the game by the time Joe Mantiply allowed two inherited runners to score, which saddled McGough with a third loss in his last three outings. McGough has a 6.35 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 5.2 innings thus far in 2024.

Alzolay (1-1) was tagged with a blown save and a loss against the Padres on Monday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Chicago built what looked to be an insurmountable 8-0 lead by the midpoint of the fourth inning, but San Diego came storming back with seven runs in the sixth. The Cubs' bullpen was able to hold onto the one-run lead until the eighth, and Alzolay was brought in with one out and one runner on base in that frame, possibly to try to complete a multi-inning save. He struck out Xander Bogaerts to begin his outing before surrendering a two-run homer to Fernando Tatis that provided the winning margin for San Diego. The blown save was the second of the season for Alzolay, who also failed to convert a save chance Opening Day.

Helsley (1-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk over one inning, taking the extra-inning loss Monday versus the Phillies. He did not record a strikeout.

Helsley was brought in to pitch the 10th inning, but he gave up an RBI double to Alec Bohm and a sacrifice fly to Bryson Stott after intentionally walking Bryce Harper with one out. This was the first time Helsley has given up runs since he blew a save March 30 versus the Dodgers. All six of the right-hander's appearances have been one inning so far -- in previous years, he's been tasked with getting more than three outs, but manager Oliver Marmol told reporters Sunday that Helsley will not be doing that as often in 2024, per Katie Woo of The Athletic. Helsley has a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB while converting three of his four save chances so far this season.

Suarez earned a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

The Padres put up nine runs from the sixth through eighth innings to carry a one-run lead into the ninth, and they turned to Suarez to try to nail down the comeback victory. The right-hander had little trouble doing so, striking out a batter to start and end the frame and needing just 14 pitches to retire the side in order. Suarez wasn't a certainly to work as the closer this season for San Diego coming into spring camp, but he looks to have a firm hold on the role at this point, tying for the league lead with four saves while allowing just one run and posting an 8:3 K:BB over six innings.

Bird recorded one out to earn a save over Arizona on Monday.

Bird entered the game with two outs and the bases jammed in a 7-5 game and forced Eugenio Suarez to fly out after Nick Mears couldn't finish off the inning. Bird has one save and a hold while registering a 5.14 ERA through seven innings this season. Justin Lawrence picked up a hold with a scoreless eighth inning.