MLB Player News

Jax (3-5) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

It was a strong outing for Jax, as he set a season high with seven strikeouts. The right-hander has been excellent of late, allowing just two earned runs across 20 innings in his last four starts while posting a 21:4 K:BB. Since moving into Tampa's rotation, Jax has posted a 2.27 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 11 starts (43.2 innings). He's tentatively lined up for a rematch with the Royals on the road his next time out.

Assad (6-1) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander collected the victory in his third straight start and fifth straight winning decision despite serving up homers to Jared Young and Francisco Alvarez in the fourth inning, as the Cubs outslugged the home squad 10-3. Assad has been impressive since rejoining the big-league rotation in early June, and over four starts this month he's delivered a 1.96 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 23 innings. He'll look to stay locked in for his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Padres.

Fairbanks recorded his 12th save of the season Wednesday in a 4-2 win over the Rangers, giving up one run on one hit. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The right-hander was taken deep by Joc Pederson for a second straight day, but Fairbanks otherwise cruised through the ninth inning on 13 pitches (10 strikes). Despite his success in save chances -- he's converted six straight and is 12-for-14 on the year -- Fairbanks has looked shaky in June, serving up three homers and getting scored upon in four of 10 appearances while compiling a 5.58 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over 9.2 innings.

The Giants optioned Beck to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Beck has pitched 2.2 scoreless innings since being recalled from Triple-A on June 14, but he'll now end up as the odd man out of a roster spot to make room for Tyler Mahle's (hamstring) return from the IL. Beck has given up eight earned runs over 10.2 innings in the big leagues this season and will remain an option to return to San Francisco later in the year when the big club needs a fresh arm.

Lopez will start Friday's game against the Giants, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Lopez began the season in Atlanta's rotation but was moved to the bullpen in April after posting a 3.74 ERA and 1.43 WHIP alongside a 20:11 K:BB over 21.2 innings across five starts. He'll now get another chance to work as a starter following JR Ritchie's demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett, though Lopez's first opportunity will come against a Giants offense that's posted a .799 OPS since the beginning of June. The 32-year-old threw just 58 pitches across three innings during his most recent appearance Sunday, and he said Wednesday that he'll likely have a similar workload during his upcoming start, per Bowman.

The Cubs designated Roa for assignment Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The transaction makes space on the roster for waiver claim Bryse Wilson. Roa was a waiver claim himself last month, and he's turned in a 7.71 ERA and 20:7 K:BB over 11.2 frames at Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs claimed Wilson off waivers from the Phillies on Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs' pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries, so Wilson could be used either in the rotation or as a long reliever. Wilson tossed two scoreless frames in his one appearance for the Phillies this season and holds a 6.29 ERA and 58:21 K:BB over 54.1 innings at the Triple-A level.

The Astros optioned VanWey to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

VanWey allowed two runs (one earned) over three innings in a pair of relief appearances the last two days, so the Astros are replacing him with a fresh bullpen arm. Left-hander Colton Gordon was called up from Sugar Land to take VanWey's spot on the active roster.

Brown returned to Chicago to have his neck strain examined by specialists, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Brown has been able to pitch through the neck issue for a bit, but it prevented him from throwing his bullpen session Tuesday, leading to the pitcher being placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that there's concern Brown's neck injury is related to the one he dealt with in 2024 that cost him more than half of that season, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune.

The Nationals claimed Lawrence off waivers from the Twins on Wednesday.

Lawrence has struck out 37 in 28 innings between stints with the Pirates and Twins this season, but he's also walked 21 and posted an 8.04 ERA. He'll aim for more consistency as he joins the Nationals bullpen.