MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Brown will be available out of the bullpen for the team's three-game series against the Padres, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Brown could rejoin the Chicago rotation at some point down the road, but for now, he'll shift to the bullpen with Justin Steele (hamstring) returning from the injured list to start Monday's series opener. The Cubs will keep Hayden Wesneski in the rotation over Brown as their No. 5 starter until Kyle Hendricks (back) returns from the IL.

The Cubs optioned Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thompson has pitched well overall out of the Cubs bullpen this season, but he was roughed up in his last two appearances while yielding seven runs (four earned) and recording just three outs. He's being sent out to make room on the active roster for lefty Justin Steele (hamstring), who was reinstated from the injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus the Padres.

The Athletics recalled Harris from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Oakland placed right-handed starter Joe Boyle (back) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move, but Harris won't necessarily replace him in the rotation. Instead, the Athletics may just be bringing Harris aboard to provide some length out of the bullpen, even though the lefty has worked exclusively as a starter at Las Vegas this season. Over his six starts at Triple-A spanning 21 innings, Harris has provided a 9.00 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 21:20 K:BB.

The White Sox placed Leone on the 15-day injured list Monday with lower-back tightness.

Leone tweaked his back during an appearance Saturday in St. Louis and now will be on the shelf for at least the next couple weeks. The veteran reliever holds a 6.75 ERA and 14:11 K:BB over 14.2 relief innings with the White Sox this season.

The Cardinals placed Gallegos on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right shoulder impingement.

Gallegos' move to the IL comes one day after he failed to record an out while surrendering three earned runs on three hits en route to taking his first loss of the season in the Cardinals' series finale with the White Sox. Considering Gallegos allowed four runs while recording zero outs in his appearance before that March 30 in Detroit, his injury might have been bothering him for a while. He'll be eligible to come off the IL on May 21.

The Mets designated Kranick for assignment Monday.

He'll give up his spot on the 40-man roster to right-hander Yohan Ramirez, who was claimed off waivers from the Orioles on Monday. Kranick has allowed four runs (two earned) with a 2:4 K:BB in seven innings with Triple-A Syracuse this season.

The Mets claimed Ramirez off waivers from the Orioles on Monday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The Mets booted Ramirez from their 40-man roster and then traded him to the Orioles last month, but he's now back in the organization to give them a fresh relief arm. Ramirez holds an 8.74 ERA over eight relief appearances this season between the Mets and Orioles.

The Reds optioned Moll to Triple-A Louisville on Monday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Moll had made five scoreless appearances after coming off the injured list April 23, but he nonetheless now finds himself without a spot on the 26-man active roster. The Reds will make a corresponding move prior to Tuesday's game, with Frankie Montas (forearm) presumably on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start that day versus the Diamondbacks.

The Guardians optioned Strzelecki to Triple-A Columbus on Monday.

After being called up from Triple-A in advance of the Guardians' weekend series with the Angels, Strzelecki proceeded to make his lone appearance on Friday, when he fired two scoreless innings of relief. He'll be replaced in the Cleveland bullpen by left-hander Sam Hentges (finger), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

The Guardians activated Hentges (finger) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Cleveland optioned right-hander Peter Strzelecki to Triple-A Columbus to clear room in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster for Hentges, who opened the season on the IL with left middle finger inflammation. Hentges was added back to the 26-man active roster after he wrapped up a stellar six-appearance rehab assignment between Triple-A Columbus and Double-A Akron in which he struck out seven and allowed just five baserunners over 6.2 scoreless frames. He posted a 3.61 ERA and gathered 15 holds over 56 appearances with the big club in 2023 and should slot back in as a key part of the bridge to close Emmanuel Clase.