MLB Player News

Wesneski allowed one run on one hit across 3.2 innings of relief in Wednesday's loss to the Rays. He walked two and struck out four.

Wesneski entered in the fourth inning with starter Justin Steele departing with left forearm tightness. The former had just been recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and last pitched in an MLB game back on May 13, but he looked sharp nonetheless. It's unclear if Steele will have to miss time moving forward, though if he does, Wesneski would be a logical candidate to step into the rotation spot after making eight starts earlier in the year for the Cubs.

Shuster (2-2) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks across 5.1 innings during a 4-2 victory over the Athletics. He struck out one.

Shuster has made four straight starts since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in mid-May. He's finished at least five innings and allowed three or fewer runs in each of those appearances. However, walks remain an issue for the rookie left-hander, who holds a questionable 21:19 K:BB over his first 30.2 career innings. Regardless, the 2020 first-round pick figures to see plenty of work at the big-league level with Kyle Wright (shoulder) and Max Fried (forearm) not expected back from the injured list until July. Shuster's next start is scheduled during a three-game homestand versus the Mets.

Cubs manager David Ross said Steele will undergo an MRI on his left forearm Thursday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Ross had no other information, and the MRI might just be precautionary, but there's an ominous feeling to this situation after Steele was forced from his start Wednesday afternoon against the Rays due to forearm tightness. He had thrown three perfect frames prior to his departure, lowering his season ERA to 2.65. If the 27-year-old southpaw requires a stint on the 15-day injured list -- which seems likely even if the MRI is clean -- Hayden Wesneski would be a good bet to fill the vacant rotation spot.

Woodford (shoulder) is slated for a second rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Memphis, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Woodford gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over two innings Tuesday in his rehab debut with Memphis. He threw only 37 pitches in that outing and will technically be pitching on short rest (for a starter) in this next one, so it's becoming fairly clear that the Cardinals intend to bring him back as a long reliever. The 26-year-old has been on the injured list since May 5 due to right shoulder inflammation.

Steele was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rays due to left forearm tightness, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs likely won't have a return timeline available for Steele until he undergoes further testing on his forearm, but based on the initial diagnosis, he'll almost certainly be headed for the 15-day injured list. Before he was visited on the mound by manager David Ross and a team trainer in the third inning, Steele was cruising through his 12th start of the season, as he retired all nine batters he faced on 29 pitches. Hayden Wesneski came on in bulk relief to replace Steele and would likely be the top candidate to enter the rotation in the event that Steele winds up on the IL.

Quintana (ribs) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

It will be his first time facing live hitters since he underwent bone-graft surgery on his rib cage in March. If all goes well in that live BP workout, Quintana could advance to a minor-league rehab assignment soon after. The veteran left-hander signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Mets over the offseason and appears on track to make his official debut for the club sometime before the end of June.

Steele was removed from his start Wednesday versus the Rays due to an apparent injury, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Steele received a visit on the mound from Cubs manager David Ross and trainer Nick Frangella in the top of the third inning and didn't return from the dugout to begin the top of the fourth. He had thrown three perfect frames on 29 pitches -- 19 strikes -- so his departure was almost certainly related to an injury or an illness. Expect the Cubs to provide an update on Steele's situation shortly.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Wednesday that Grove (groin) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Saturday versus the Yankees in Los Angeles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He'll be taking the rotation spot of Gavin Stone, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Grove has been on the shelf since April 21 with a right groin strain, but he's looked sharp over his two rehab starts with Oklahoma City. In his most recent outing for the Triple-A club this past Saturday, Grove struck out seven and issued no walks over 5.2 scoreless innings.

Contreras will start for the Pirates on Friday against the Cardinals, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Contreras made one relief appearance Sunday in Seattle, but with Vince Velasquez (elbow) back on the injured list he will re-enter the rotation. The right-hander holds a 4.50 ERA and just a 16.4 percent strikeout rate in his nine starts this season.

Soroka is scheduled to start Sunday's game in Arizona, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

After getting a call-up from Triple-A Gwinnett, Soroka stepped into the Atlanta rotation Monday for his first MLB start since Aug. 3, 2020. The right-hander gave Atlanta six innings in his outing against the Athletics, but he ended up taking a loss after giving up four runs on five hits and two walks. Despite the so-so showing against a poor offense, Soroka will get another turn through the rotation while Atlanta contends with multiple injuries to starting pitchers.