MLB Player News

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.

The Brewers announced that Uribe has dropped his appeal of a one-game suspension and will serve the ban during Wednesday's contest in Cincinnati, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

MLB initially handed Uribe the suspension May 29, after he was deemed to have taken part in an unsportsmanlike celebration during his relief appearance against the Cardinals three days earlier. Uribe had continued to pitch for Milwaukee while appealing the ban, but after he was used in relief in four of the past five days, Wednesday marked an opportune time for him to drop the appeal. He'll be available for the Brewers following Thursday's team off day.

Atlanta selected Hamilton's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Hamilton was knocked around for three runs over an inning of work in his lone appearance for Atlanta earlier this season. He's been much better at Gwinnett, however, with a 3.18 ERA and 28:6 K:BB over 22.2 innings. Hamilton will give the club a fresh bullpen arm.

Atlanta activated Kinley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Kinley will skip a rehab assignment and rejoin the Atlanta bullpen following a two-week absence. The right-hander has posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB across 28.1 relief innings this season.

Estevez (shoulder) threw a bullpen Sunday and is scheduled to throw another Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Estevez has been on the injured list since April 1, originally due to a left foot contusion before suffering a right rotator cuff strain during a rehab assignment May 6. The veteran has steadily progressed in his recovery, and the move to bullpen sessions represents a positive step forward. If the right-hander comes out of Wednesday's session without any issues, he could quickly progress to facing live hitters.