MLB Player News

Diaz struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his eighth save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Pirates.

Seeing his first action since serving a 10-game suspension for use of a foreign substance, Diaz hit Oneil Cruz with a pitch to begin the frame but escaped the minor jam by striking out Rowdy Tellez and getting Andrew McCutchen to ground into a double play. Diaz has had a turbulent campaign in his return from a knee injury that cost him the entire 2023 season, but he had been showing signs of turning things around prior to the suspension -- he's allowed only one run in his last six innings with a 7:0 K:BB.

Smyly allowed a walk and a solo home run over two innings of relief in Saturday's 7-0 loss to the Angels. He struck out one.

Starter Kyle Hendricks left the game after two innings due to back tightness, which forced the Cubs to use five relievers, including Smyly. The veteran lefty has been solid this year with a 3.48 ERA and 31 strikeouts across 31 innings of relief work. While he's been used exclusively out of the bullpen so far in 2024, Smyly did make 23 starts for the team last season, and he could be an option for the rotation in the short term if Hendricks has to miss any time.

Vesia picked up the save over the Brewers on Saturday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Vesia entered the contest with a two-run lead and went 1-2-3 through the back end of Milwaukee's lineup to earn his fifth save of the campaign. It was the lefty's first save opportunity since blowing one against the Giants on June 29, and he's now recorded a strikeout in each of his last three appearances. Vesia also hasn't allowed a hit in either of his last two outings. Primary closer Evan Phillips was deployed to face the heart of the Brewers order in the eighth inning Saturday and remains in line to receive the bulk of the save chances for Los Angeles.

Cruz (3-6) picked up Saturday's loss, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk over one-third of an inning against Detroit. He was also charged with a blown save.

Cruz was part of a bullpen effort that spoiled starter Hunter Greene's seven shutout innings. The usually reliable Cruz retired the first batter he faced before permitting a double, a home run and a walk, and the recipient of the free pass came around to score after Cruz was removed. The reliever had allowed just five runs over his last 18 innings coming into Saturday.

Rogers (shoulder) is rehabbing at the team's training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Rogers has resumed throwing and is expected to begin a rehab assignment within a week or two. The team hasn't provided an exact timeline, but he could return at some point in July.

Bird (groin) resumed throwing Friday, MLB.com reports.

Bird had been shut down since June 23, with Friday marking his first known progress since being placed on the injured list. Manager Bud Black noted that Bird is close to returning to the mound, but he did not provide a timeline for Bird to be activated from the injured list.

Scott struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the White Sox.

Scott is on a 10-inning scoreless streak, during which he's maintained an 11:3 K:BB with five saves and a win. The closer continues to excel for the Marlins, though the team's poor performance has limited him to 13 saves this year. He's posted a 1.42 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 42:23 K:BB through 38 innings, though he's made progress to cut back on walks during his recent strong stretch.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that there is a "zero percent chance" Jameson (elbow) pitches for the Diamondbacks this season, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Jameson wasn't expected to return in 2024 and Lovullo's comments cement Jameson's status as out for the season. The 26-year-old completed a bullpen session Friday and has been making strides since undergoing Tommy John surgery last September, but Arizona won't try to rush him back.

Ortiz will start Sunday's game against the Mets, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

After being deployed as a starter or bulk reliever for most of June, Ortiz had made a two-inning relief appearance in most recent outing Tuesday versus the Cardinals. Given that the 25-year-old covered a season-high six innings in his prior appearance June 26, he should be able to handle a typical starter's workload as he steps back into the rotation Sunday. Through 55 innings on the season, Ortiz owns a 3.27 ERA and a 47:18 K:BB.

The Cubs will promote Bigge from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Bigge has been dominant out of the bullpen for Iowa, posting a 0.77 ERA and 19 strikeouts across 11.2 innings while picking up a save in all six of his save opportunities. The 26-year-old has been in the Cubs farm system since being drafted in the 12th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft.