MLB Player News

Junis was lifted from Saturday's game against the Dodgers with neck tightness, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Junis was supposed to work in bulk relief for the Giants, but he covered just 1.1 innings before departing with the neck issue. Ross Stripling, another bulk relief option, replaced him to begin the bottom of the fifth. It's unclear what Junis' availability will be leading into the final week of the regular season.

Cuas picked up the save Saturday against Colorado. He issued one walk and notched one strikeout over a scoreless ninth inning.

The 29-year-old Cuas was called upon to preserve Chicago's three-run, ninth-inning lead and successfully earned his first save of the campaign by retiring three of the four batters he faced on 18 pitches. The righty was simply filling in and is not expected to receive regular save opportunities in the final week of the regular season with Adbert Alzolay (forearm) soon expected back from the injured list.

Assad (5-3) earned the win in Saturday's 6-3 victory over Colorado, allowing two hits and a hit batsman over four scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He struck out six without issuing any walks.

It didn't take long for the 26-year-old to be used in his new role, tossing four scoreless frames in relief after Marcus Stroman lasted just three innings in his return to the rotation. Assad scattered two hits -- a bunt single and a double -- while throwing 36 of 49 pitches for strikes and earned his fifth win thanks to Chicago's late rally. If the righty is deployed in a similar fashion in his next appearance, it could come Thursday in Atlanta with Stroman again set to take the mound.

The Giants placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain.

It's an early shutdown for Alexander, who finishes with a 4.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB in 48.1 innings of work for San Francisco. The 34-year-old lefty reliever is scheduled to become a free agent this winter.

The Marlins selected Lindgren's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Lindgren has put up a 4.29 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 21 innings with Jacksonville since being sent outright to Triple-A. With Eury Perez (hip) on the injured list, he'll return to the big leagues to give the Marlins another piece in the bullpen who is capable of pitching multiple innings.

Antone (elbow) is not expected to return from the injured list in 2023, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Manager David Bell did technically leave the door open by calling Antone's chances of a return "remote," but the writing seems to be on the wall for the righty. Antone returned from his second career Tommy John surgery at the start of September but made just five appearances before being shut down with elbow tendinitis.

The Cubs recalled Thompson from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

With Brad Boxberger (forearm) headed for the injured list, Thompson will rejoin the Cubs' bullpen to provide depth for the final week-plus of the season. Thompson holds a 4.71 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 28.2 innings in the majors this year and will likely serve in middle relief while with Chicago.

The Cubs placed Boxberger on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Boxberger already missed nearly four months earlier this year due to a forearm injury, and his latest trip to the injured list will keep him out for the rest of the regular season and the first part of a potential Cubs playoff run. Keegan Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to fill Boxberger's spot in the bullpen.

Brebbia will open Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Brebbia has been used as an opener often this season, as Saturday will mark his ninth time starting on the mound. Brebbia has given up four runs (three earned) over 5.2 innings since returning from the injured list Sept. 5, and he will presumably stay in the game for an inning or two before turning things over to Ross Stripling.

Cubs manager David Ross said Saturday that Assad will pitch out of the bullpen going forward, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

With Marcus Stroman returning to the rotation and starting Saturday, Assad will officially end up as the odd man out. The 26-year-old righty has given up eight runs over 13.2 innings across his last three starts and will serve as a multi-inning reliever during the Cubs' final push for a playoff berth.