MLB Player News

Smith (0-4) was tagged with the loss in relief Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Smith was tagged with his fourth loss of the season after allowing the game-winning hit to Ezequiel Duran in the bottom of the ninth. Despite this outcome, Smith has been pitching reasonably well since the All-Star break. In nine outings and 7.2 innings since the intermission, Smith owns a 2.35 ERA and 12.9 K/9, though his 1.57 WHIP and 5.9 BB/9 in that span are worrisome.

Tidwell didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while fanning three across five innings.

Tidwell was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday and did a decent job in his first big-league start of the season. He had been stretching out in Triple-A, and with the Giants dealing Robbie Ray ahead of Monday's deadline, Tidwell could stay in the rotation for the final two months of the regular season. He has a 4.38 ERA in 16 appearances (15 starts) at Triple-A and a 3.18 ERA in nine appearances at the MLB level in 2026. If he stays in the rotation, his next start would be scheduled for next week at home against the Astros.

Rolison (6-1) earned the win in relief Tuesday against the Dodgers after pitching a perfect inning, striking out one.

Rolison got the final out in the sixth inning and recorded two more outs in the seventh before being lifted. He didn't need too many pitches to do so, as he tossed 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes. The 29-year-old southpaw has been pitching well of late, allowing just one earned run across eight appearances and 9.2 innings since the All-Star break. He has a 10:3 K:BB in that span.

Martinez (elbow) struck out two over a perfect inning in his first rehab appearance at Single-A Visalia on Tuesday.

Pitching in a game for the first time since June 9, 2025, Martinez aced the test while retiring the side on 14 pitches (eight strikes). Martinez is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and could need close to the full 30-day rehab window to shake off rust and hone his command and control. If Martinez pitches effectively during his rehab stint, he could be a factor in Arizona's unsettled closer picture once he's activated from the 60-day injured list.

Romano allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two over one inning to take a blown save in Tuesday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Rays.

Romano blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning but was able to prevent further damage, leading to the extra frames. Over eight outings in July, he gave up just one run across 7.2 innings while converting five saves and adding a hold. He's now at a 6.48 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 24:12 K:BB through 16.2 innings over 20 games between the Rockies and the Angels, adding nine saves in 12 chances. However, Romano's stability in the closer role likely improved after the Rockies dealt away Antonio Senzatela and Victor Vodnik at the trade deadline, though it's still risky to go chasing saves in the Colorado bullpen.

Megill recorded his 19th save Tuesday against the Pirates, retiring the side in order in a perfect ninth inning.

Megill was unsurprisingly called upon with a two-run lead in the ninth and needed just 10 pitches to retire Pittsburgh in order for his 19th save of the season. The right-hander has been dominant of late, allowing just one run across his last 20 appearances (19.1 innings) while collecting 21 strikeouts, 11 saves and one hold during that span. On the season, Megill owns a 2.76 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 50:11 K:BB across 42.1 innings.

Manaea (3-5) earned the win against the Guardians on Tuesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out seven across six innings.

It wasn't exactly smooth sailing for Manaea, as he averaged two baserunners per inning pitched and allowed at least three Guardians on base in three of six frames. Nevertheless, the veteran right-hander limited the damage to two runs for a third straight quality start and ended his night with 13 whiffs and 64 strikes on 100 pitches. Manaea will take a 4.33 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 97.2 innings into his next start, which is lined up for this weekend on the road against the Pirates.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced July 21 that Maton will rest for roughly three weeks after requiring a platelet-rich plasma injection to address right knee tendinitis, MLB.com reports.

On the shelf for the third time this season due to the knee issue, Maton appears on track to be re-evaluated next week. Even if the PRP injection has resolved Maton's symptoms, the right-hander will likely be ramped up slowly. The veteran reliever submitted a 6.18 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over 27.2 innings in his 31 appearances before landing on the injured list July 20.

The Cubs announced Wednesday that Miler (elbow) has been throwing off a mound and facing hitters at the team's complex in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Miller has seemingly progressed about as well as the Cubs could have hoped since undergoing surgery Oct. 13 to repair a torn right UCL and flexor tendon. Though the Cubs' main focus is ensuring that Miller is back to 100 percent heading into spring training, he looks like he could have a chance at making it back from the 60-day injured list at some point in September. A clearer target date for his return could emerge once he eventually moves his rehab program from Arizona to Chicago.

Harvey (triceps/shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday at the Cubs' facility in Arizona, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Harvey has been out nearly all season while recovering from a stress reaction near his right triceps and shoulder, making just four appearances for the Cubs before hitting the injured list April 12. He appears likely to remain in Arizona for at least another week or two to build up the volume and intensity of his throwing before the Cubs map out a minor-league rehab assignment for him. Once he eventually returns from the 60-day IL, Harvey could be ticketed for a middle-relief role.