MLB Player News

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that he expects Steele (hamstring) to miss the entire month of April, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Steele was officially diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain Saturday, and the Cubs will hold off on starting his throwing program until he is able to walk without limping. An exact timetable for the left-hander's return will likely have to wait until he starts throwing again, but Counsell noted that he expects Steele to rejoin the rotation sometime during May. In the meantime, his spot appears set to go to Ben Brown, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

The Cubs recalled Brown from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

With Justin Steele (hamstring) headed for the injured list, Brown will come up from Triple-A for his first look in the majors. The 24-year-old right-hander turned in a 5.33 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 72.2 innings with Iowa last season, but his impressive spring inspired enough confidence from the Cubs to slot him into the Cubs' rotation as Steele's replacement. Brown could make his MLB debut at home against the Rockies on Tuesday.

The Cubs placed Steele on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain, retroactive to March 29, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele had to leave Thursday's season opener after injuring his hamstring while fielding a bunt attempt. He will be eligible to return from the IL on April 13, but it remains unclear whether or not Steele will need to spend more than the 15-day minimum on the shelf. Ben Brown will come up from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move and could fill the void in the Cubs' rotation.

Walker (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Saturday marked the first time Walker has thrown off a mound since he landed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder impingement. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the right-hander is scheduled throw another session during the week and that the team will likely take Walker's rehab program slowly.

Brown is no longer with Triple-A Iowa and is expected to be called up by the Cubs, Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register reports.

The Cubs have not announced their rotation plans beyond Monday when Shota Imanaga is scheduled to pitch. However, it sounds like Brown could end up starting a game in the home series against the Rockies next week in the absence of Justin Steele (hamstring). Brown, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, impressed in spring training with only one earned run allowed and 12 strikeouts in 14 Cactus League innings. His numbers fell off after a move up to Triple-A last season, but he racked up 130 strikeouts in just 92.2 innings across the two highest levels of the minors in 2023.

Puk dropped to 0-1 in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Pirates, giving up four runs on three hits and six walks over two-plus innings. He struck out one batter.

Making his first career start in the majors after 142 relief appearances, Puk's nerves may have gotten the better of him as he managed to throw only 33 of 68 pitches for strikes. Things went completely off the rails for the left-hander in the third inning, when he put the first four batters aboard with a walk, a double, a wild pitch, another walk and a single before getting the hook. The Marlins are strapped for healthy rotation options to begin the season, so Puk likely won't head back to the bullpen just yet, but he'll need to regain his focus quickly if he wants to keep his current role when the likes of Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) are ready to make their 2024 debuts.

Perez didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-2 win over the Marlins, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings while striking out two.

The veteran lefty was stingy when it came to runs, but Perez needed 86 pitches (50 strikes) to record 13 outs and couldn't last long enough to qualify for the win in an eventual 7-2 victory. He's expected to give the Pirates some reliable innings this season, but after working as a swingman for the Rangers last season and making 15 of his 35 appearances in relief, Perez could be a bullpen candidate once prospects like Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler are deemed ready for the majors.

Miller (1-0) earned the win in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Cardinals, allowing just two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out 11.

Miller was superb, striking out 11 of the 21 batters he faced en route to his first win of the campaign. The 24-year-old right-hander impressed as a rookie, going 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 119 strikeouts across 22 starts last season. He figures to be a key piece of the Dodgers' rotation again in 2024. Miller's currently in line for a home start versus San Francisco in his next outing.

Musgrove (0-1) was the pitcher of record in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Giants, allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings.

It's been a tough start to the campaign for Musgrove, who's allowed nine runs on 15 hits through 8.1 innings over his first two outings. The 31-year-old right-hander went 10-3 with a 3.05 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 97 strikeouts in 17 stars last season. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, currently lined up for next week at home versus St. Louis.

Harrison (1-0) earned the win Friday against San Diego, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out five without issuing a walk.

Harrison was sharp, blanking the Padres through the first three innings before ultimately surrendering a pair of solo homers. The 22-year-old southpaw went 1-1 in seven starts as a rookie last year, posting a 4.15 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB but serving up eight homers in 34.2 innings. Harrison has shown that he can be an effective MLB starter despite struggling with the long ball early in his career. He's lined up for a tough road matchup versus the Dodgers in his next outing.