MLB Player News

Brown took a no-decision Monday against the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out seven.

After opening the season exclusively as a multi-inning reliever, Brown has fared well overall in his transition to Chicago's rotation. The 26-year-old right-hander turned in his longest outing of the year Monday, also tying a season high in punchouts. Brown has given up only four runs over his first four starts (19 innings) en route to producing a 2.01 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 47:14 K:BB across 44.2 frames in 2026, and he'll be looking to continue his success as a starter this weekend in St. Louis against the division-rival Cardinals.

Thornton (2-1) allowed a run on two hits in an inning of relief to take the loss Monday against the Pirates.

Thornton served up a solo home run to Henry Davis in the bottom of the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie, and Pittsburgh would hold on for the 2-1 win. The Cubs are spiraling with nine straight losses, but Thornton has been mostly good this year with a 2.79 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 9.2 innings in eight appearances. The veteran righty should stick in a middle relief role for Chicago with limited fantasy upside at the moment.

Blach elected to become a free agent Monday.

Blach had been removed from the Cubs' 40-man roster and will test out free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. The lefty could wind up re-signing on a minor-league deal, but he will have the ability to negotiate with all teams.

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Monday that Puk (elbow) will need 7-to-8 rehab appearances before returning from the 60-day injured list, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Puk began his rehab assignment with the team's Arizona Complex League affiliate on Saturday, striking out one over a perfect inning. The left-hander will move up to a higher affiliate and make several more rehab appearances before rejoining the Diamondbacks' bullpen.

The Guardians recalled Heuer from Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

It will be the third stint with the big club this month for Heuer, who has allowed one run with a 3:1 K:BB over 2.2 innings in his two appearances for the Guardians this season. He's absorbing the spot in the bullpen vacated by the injured Erik Sabrowski (elbow).

The Guardians placed Sabrowski on the 15-day injured list Monday with left elbow inflammation.

Sabrowski hasn't pitched since last Wednesday, so he might have been dealing with a tender elbow for a few days. It will be a big blow for the Guardians for however long Sabrowski is sidelined, as he's been one of the best relievers in baseball this season with a 1.71 ERA and 39:13 K:BB over 21 innings. The southpaw has notched a league-leading 17 holds.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Minter (lat) will likely be activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

It's been a long road back for Minter, who hasn't pitched for the Mets since undergoing left lat surgery last May. Minter produced good results on his rehab assignment, holding a 1.59 ERA and 7:1 K:BB over 11.1 innings. However, the lefty averaged only 92.3 mph with his four-seamer in his final rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, which is more than two mph down from last year's pace. As such, Minter could be eased into high-leverage situations.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Monday that Ragans (elbow) will be shut down for 2-to-3 days after not bouncing back well from Saturday's rehab start with Triple-A Omaha, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans pitched well in the outing, striking out three over 4.1 innings of one-run ball. Quatraro noted that while Ragans' left elbow was not sore during the start, afterward he felt similar symptoms to when he landed on the 15-day injured list earlier this month with an elbow impingement. Ragans had been trending toward rejoining the Royals' rotation this week, but now that he's had a setback, his timetable is up in the air.

Miller picked up a hold in Sunday's 8-5 win over the White Sox, striking out one in a scoreless inning.

Miller entered in the eighth inning and threw seven of his 11 pitches for strikes, earning his sixth hold on the campaign. The left-hander has recorded three straight scoreless outings since surrendering two runs in his return from a back strain May 16. He now owns a 3.77 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 21:12 K:BB across 14.1 innings in 16 games this season.

Williams (3-2) took the loss Sunday against the Marlins, coughing up four runs on two hits and two walks in one-third of an inning.

With the game tied 0-0, Williams took the mound for the bottom of the ninth and promptly gave up a leadoff double to Christopher Morel. A sacrifice bunt and two walks loaded the bases, and Heriberto Hernandez then got hold of a changeup and crushed it over the center-field fence for a walk-off grand slam. It was just the second long ball Williams has served up in 2026, but both have come on his previously unhittable Airbender -- the right-hander's allowed a .325 batting average and .550 SLG on his changeup this season after giving up a .162 BA and .216 SLG on the pitch just two years ago. Through his first 17 innings as a Met, Williams has a 6.35 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB while converting seven of eight save chances.