MLB Player News

Hand (3-1) picked up the victory Tuesday after blowing the save, allowing two unearned runs on two hits while striking out one in the ninth inning of a 7-6 win over Cincinnati.

After Hand retired the first batter of the ninth, Nick Senzel reached after Edmundo Sosa committed a throwing error. Hand then allowed a single and retired a batter before TJ Friedl tripled home both runners to give Cincinnati the lead. It was Hand's first save opportunity since July 8. He's given up just one earned run in his last 11.2 innings but has a concerning 6:7 K:BB in that span. David Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez (triceps) have received the most save chances since the trade deadline, but Hand and Andrew Bellatti have also been given an opportunity.

Doval pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out a batter on his way to a save in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Tigers.

Doval was called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, but he quickly ran into some trouble. After getting Riley Greene to ground out to open the frame, the closer allowed two consecutive hits before walking Eric Haase to load the bases with one out. Doval was able to get Miguel Cabrera to strike out before inducing a game-ending groundout by Harold Castro, finishing the outing unscathed. The save was his 18th of the season and he has now converted 10 straight opportunities. Doval has now gone 10 straight appearances without allowing an earned run, lowering his ERA from 3.21 to 2.58 over that stretch.

Hughes earned the save in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against St. Louis, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning in a 2-0 victory.

Hughes needed just eight pitches to retire the side in order and collect his third save in the last week. The rookie has received the last three ninth-inning save opportunities for the Cubs after Rowan Wick received the bulk of the opportunities after the trade deadline. Hughes has a 2.20 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 19:4 K:BB in 16.1 innings since the All-Star break. It appears as if the lefty and Wick will split the closing duties for Chicago for the time being.

Castillo was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2019 due to numerous injuries but will join the Friars on Tuesday with Yu Darvish placed on the paternity list. Castillo has a 2.08 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 45:14 K:BB across 34.2 innings with El Paso this year.

Assad pitched four scoreless innings as the starter in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. He allowed four hits and four walks while striking out three.

Assad was making his MLB debut, and while the four walks weren't great, he still pitched reasonably well against a solid St. Louis lineup. The 25-year-old was looking good at Triple-A Iowa before getting called up, recording a 2.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB across 36.2 innings. Assad might still get sent back down, though the Cubs appear set to give the rookie a longer look, with Keegan Thompson (back), Kyle Hendricks (shoulder), Alec Mills (back) and Wade Miley (shoulder) all out at the moment. Assad is tentatively set to start again Monday against the Blue Jays.

Alexy was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old was recalled by the Rangers late last week and picked up a win Monday after firing 2.1 scoreless frames against the Twins, but he'll head back to the minors with Dennis Santana (ankle) returning from the injured list. Alexy allowed three runs in two innings during his only other big-league appearance this year.

Santana (ankle) was activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Santana has been on the shelf with the ankle sprain for the past three weeks, and he'll rejoin the Rangers on Tuesday after a two-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock. The 26-year-old was a reliable high-leverage arm for Texas over the first three months of the season with one save, 12 holds and a 1.53 ERA, but he posted 15.43 ERA in July before landing IL in early August.

De Leon (shoulder) made the second appearance of his rehab assignment Saturday with Single-A Dunedin, striking out two and allowing one run over one inning.

De Leon is finally back in action in the lower levels of the minors after he was shut down in spring training when he suffered a right shoulder injury during a Grapefruit League outing. He'll eventually settle into the bullpen at Triple-A Buffalo once he completes his rehab assignment.

Junis (hand) will remain on turn for now, but the Giants will continue to evaluate him ahead of Sunday's scheduled start against the Twins, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Slusser notes that it is a pain tolerance issue in Junis' non-throwing hand, and that he could get skipped or pushed back if there are any concerns at all ahead of Sunday's game. He has been excellent over his last two starts, logging a 2.63 WHIP, 0.66 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 13.2 innings, with one of those starts coming in Coors Field.

Pearson (lat) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Pearson was sidelined for the start of the season after coming down with mononucleosis, and he suffered a lat strain in late June after starting a rehab assignment in the minors. The 26-year-old resumed mound work earlier in August, and the next step in his rehab will be facing live hitters.