MLB Player News

Brown has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his neck, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Brown was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier this week with what was referred to as a neck strain at the time. With this more serious diagnosis, he is likely to be sidelined longer than the minimum 15 days, although a clearer timeline isn't yet available. Jordan Wicks has re-entered the Cubs' rotation in Brown's place.

Law (3-2) took the loss Thursday against the Tigers, coughing up four runs on four hits in 1.1 innings of relief. He struck out one.

The journeyman right-hander wasted a strong effort by Patrick Corbin, giving up a solo shot to Justyn-Henry Malloy in the sixth inning before the wheels came off completely for Law in the seventh. He's handled a versatile role out of the Nationals' bullpen this season, recording six holds and three wins in 33 appearances with a 3.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 41:13 K:BB through 41.1 innings, but the heavy workload may be catching up to him -- Law's been scored upon in four of his last eight trips to the mound, and he's been taken deep twice over his last three games.

Diaz (2-1) struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Thursday to pick up the win over the Marlins.

The right-hander looked good in his first appearance since May 25, topping out at 99.6 mph with his fastball. Diaz had been on the IL with a shoulder impingement before being activated Thursday, but he hadn't been his usual dominant self even before getting shut down -- so far in 2024 he has a 16.7 percent whiff rate, one of the lowest marks of his career and a massive drop from the 25.2 percent rate he delivered in 2022. While his results were impressive Thursday, Diaz managed only two swinging strikes on 15 pitches, suggesting that he may not be fully back in form yet.

Almonte (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

It appears to be the first time he's faced hitters since going down with a right shoulder strain in early May. Almonte should be ready for a rehab assignment before long and is tracking toward a return before the end of the month.

Faucher struck out one in 1.1 perfect innings of relief to Thursday to record his fifth hold of the season in a loss to the Mets.

The 28-year-old right-hander continues to give the Marlins solid innings while seeing occasional high-leverage work. Faucher has been scored upon only twice in his last 12 appearances, posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB through 11.1 innings over that stretch. JT Chargois' return from the IL figures to bump him down another spot in the bullpen pecking order, but if Miami cleans house at the deadline and ships out relievers like Tanner Scott, there could be an opening for Faucher in the late-inning crew.

Grove (4-3) was charged with the loss against the Rangers on Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits over one inning.

Grove was deployed as an opener but wound up having little margin for error as the Dodgers' offense managed to generate only one run on the night, leaving the right-hander with his first loss since May 10. He has allowed at least one run and multiple hits in two straight appearances. He's also failed to record a strikeout in three straight outings.

Yates picked up the save over the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing one walk over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out three.

Yates had a bit of a hard time getting through the ninth after entering the contest with a two-run lead, surrendering a leadoff walk to Teoscar Hernandez on five pitches and advancing him to second base on a balk. However, the veteran reliever made short work of the next three batters, getting all three to go down swinging as he secured his 10th save in as many chances. Yates has been solid in the closer role for Texas thus far and holds a 1.11 ERA on the campaign. He's also recorded multiple strikeouts in three of his last four appearances and has yet to surrender a home run in 2024.

The Pirates outrighted Heller to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Heller passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. The reliever yielded 12 runs (11 earned) over just two innings during his brief time with the Pirates this season.

Sborz (shoulder) headed to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday to begin throwing live batting practice, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

If all goes well in live BP sessions, Sborz will embark on a rehab assignment shortly after. This is Sborz's second stint on the injured list this season due to a right rotator cuff strain.

Robertson allowed one hit, hit a batter and struck out three over a scoreless eighth inning Thursday, earning a hold in a 3-1 win over the Dodgers.

Robertson put the first two batters he faced aboard, setting up a rematch with the top of the Dodgers' lineup after he had struck out Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman on Wednesday to preserve a Texas lead. Robertson proceeded to do the same exact thing Thursday. The veteran reliever has 14 holds this season to go with a 3.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 36.2 percent strikeout rate, his highest mark since 2017.