MLB Player News

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.

Diaz will be the opener for Saturday's game against Oakland, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This will be Diaz's third time appearing as an opener in a span of less than a week, as he filled the role Sunday against the Angels and Tuesday against the Dodgers. He threw 1.2 scoreless innings across those two appearances, so he's unlikely to last long before turning the ball over to a bulk reliever, a role which is expected to be filled by Joey Wentz.

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.

The Red Sox optioned Weiss to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Weiss has performed well since being recalled from Triple-A on Sept. 9, allowing just two runs over 8.2 innings while striking out eight batters and walking four. However, the return of Kenley Jansen (illness) will force Weiss back to Worcester for the final days of the minor-league season.

The Red Sox reinstated Jansen from the COVID-19 injured list Saturday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Jansen tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 13 and will now return to Boston's bullpen after a 10-day absence, sending Zack Weiss back to Triple-A Worcester. The 35-year-old closer has allowed five runs in three innings across his last five appearances, and he hasn't recorded a save since Aug. 20.

The Rays recalled Faucher (biceps) from Triple-A Durham and placed him on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Faucher has been dealing with biceps tendinitis since late August, and his move to the 60-day IL will free a spot on the 40-man roster for Raimel Tapia, who was selected from Triple-A on Saturday. Faucher logged a 7.01 ERA and 1.68 WHIP through 25.2 innings in the majors this season and will now focus on getting ready for the start of the 2024 campaign.

Alzolay (forearm) will play catch Saturday after his bullpen session Friday went well, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Alzolay will be eligible to return from a forearm strain as soon as Tuesday, and given his steady progress, a return on or around that date would seem to be in play. The Cubs enter play Saturday with a one-game lead for the third and final NL Wild Card spot, so they'll want to have Alzolay available for as much of the final week as possible if he is indeed cleared to return.

Silseth (concussion) made his second rehab start with Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, striking out four and scattering two hits and four walks over 3.1 scoreless innings.

Silseth retired just one batter while giving up two runs in his first rehab outing for Salt Lake this past Sunday, but he fared much better while returning to the bump five days later. Though he wasn't especially efficient, Silseth stretched out to 60 pitches (29 strikes) and looks as though he'll be a candidate to return from the 7-day injured list for the final week of the season. Silseth could slot into the Angels rotation as soon as next Wednesday against the Rangers, though next weekend's series versus Oakland might be a more realistic target for his return.