MLB Player News

Cubs manager David Ross said Steele would be called up from Triple-A Iowa to start Tuesday's game against the Brewers at Wrigley Field, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele excelled across 11 relief appearances with the Cubs earlier this season (2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 21:7 K:BB in 13.1 innings), but the organization still wants to develop the 26-year-old lefty as a starter in the long term. Since being reinstated from the injured list and optioned to Triple-A in early July, Steele has impressed in his five starts for Iowa, compiling an 0.87 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11.8 K/9 across 20.2 innings. The Cubs haven't indicated whether Steele will receive any additional starts beyond Tuesday, so he may need to turn in a quality outing against the Brewers to ensure he sticks in the rotation.

The Giants reinstated Gausman (personal) from the paternity list Sunday.

After leaving the team following his six-inning start Wednesday in Arizona, Gausman missed the maximum three days before the Giants added him back to the active roster. Gausman didn't miss a turn through the rotation while he welcomed his second daughter into the world, and he'll remain on track to start during the Giants' two-game series with the Diamondbacks in San Francisco that begins Tuesday.

Suarez didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Mets, walking three batters and striking out four over 2.2 scoreless, no-hit innings.

The left-hander chewed through his pitch count quickly and got the hook after 61 pitches (33 strikes), leaving him well short of qualifying for a win. Suarez continues to be very effective and sports a 0.98 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB through 46 innings, but until he gets stretched out further -- or gets moved back into a high-leverage bullpen role -- his fantasy value is firmly capped.

Megill (1-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over 4.2 innings as the Mets were downed 5-3 by the Phillies. He struck out five.

The rookie right-hander fired four scoreless frames before fading in the fifth, as a pair of homers helped drive him from the game. Megill has now served up four home runs over his last three starts and 15 innings, leading to an 0-2 record and 5.40 ERA over that stretch, but his 15:2 K:BB is still sharp. He could have trouble ending his skid in his next start, however, as it is likely to come in a home series against the Dodgers.

Gomber (9-6) earned the win over Miami on Saturday, pitching six shutout innings in which he allowed five hits and no walks while striking out nine.

The southpaw breezed through six frames and may have gone deeper if not for the fact that Colorado was breezing with a seven-run lead at the time of his exit. Gomber threw 64 of 92 pitches for strikes, induced 18 swings-and-misses and established a season high with nine punchouts. He bounced back in a big way from his season-worst performance his last time out, when Gomber allowed four runs and lasted only one inning against San Diego. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a strong first season in Colorado, posting a 3.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 97.1 innings. His next start is currently scheduled to take place in San Francisco next weekend.

Luzardo (3-5) took the loss against the Rockies on Saturday, completing 4.2 innings and allowing seven runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out two.

Many pitchers have struggled in the confines of Coors Field, but Luzardo's struggles Saturday had as much to do with his lack of control as with the elevation. The southpaw didn't allow any homers but threw only 47 of 81 pitches for strikes and tied a season high with four walks, with his final free pass forcing in a run and leading to Luzardo's exit from the game. The once-heralded prospect has struggled through a rough 2021 campaign, posting a 7.36 ERA through 15 big-league appearances and a 6.52 ERA in eight outings at Triple-A. The Marlins are likely to give him ample leeway given the fact that they are out of the playoff picture and gave up Starling Marte to acquire him, but Luzardo simply isn't a viable option in fantasy leagues right now given his poor results this season.

Kim allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three across four innings in the win over the Royals on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision.

Kim surrendered two two-out singles, allowing a pair of runs to cross in the fourth inning. He has been inconsistent over his last three starts after having three straight scoreless outings. The 32-year-old has a 3.36 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 91 innings. He is scheduled to receive another start against the Royals next weekend.

Urias didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 5-3 win over the Angels, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts in five innings.

Urias pitched well aside from a rough third inning that saw him permit all three runs on three hits and an error. He departed down 3-2 but the Dodgers eventually rallied to get the 24-year-old off the hook for the loss. Urias has now gone at least five innings and allowed four runs or less in eight straight starts, lowering his ERA from 3.99 to 3.41 in the process.

Woodruff went six innings Saturday against the Giants, allowing one run on six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. He did not factor into the decision.

Woodruff has now struck out at least eight batters three times in his last four outings. The only blemish on Woodruff's box score in this one was a solo home run by Brandon Belt in the fourth inning that squared the game at 1-1. Woodruff exited with a 2-1 lead but the Giants rallied to tie the game off Brent Suter in the ninth. The 28-year-old Woodruff boasts a 2.23 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with a 160:33 K:BB in 137.1 innings this season and is lined up for a road matchup against the Cubs in his next scheduled start.

Morton did not factor in the decision against Washington on Saturday despite pitching six scoreless innings during which he gave up three hits and two walks while striking out seven.

The Nationals struggled to figure out Morton throughout his six frames, as they managed only three hits against him. When the right-hander got himself in trouble by allowing two walks and a single in the sixth, he responded by striking out the side to keep Washington off the scoreboard. The dominant outing put Morton in line for his 11th win of the season, but typically steady closer Will Smith couldn't shut the door in the ninth. Morton continues to perform well in his age-37 campaign, posting a 3.52 ERA and 148:44 K:BB across 128 innings. His next start will likely come in a rematch versus the Nationals next Friday.