MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Steele from their alternate training site Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

He'll join the bullpen as a replacement for Brandon Workman, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old lefty will likely work primarily in lower-leverage spots while he's up with the Cubs.

Soroka (shoulder) was cleared to resume throwing Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Soroka was nearly ready to return from Achilles surgery when he was shut down with a shoulder issue in early April. He's now ready to start playing catch again, but he'll essentially have to go through an entire spring training buildup program before returning to game action. He's unlikely to pitch in a major-league game until the second half of June.

Oviedo was optioned off the Cardinals' active roster Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Oviedo was recalled to make a spot start Wednesday against the Phillies and did well enough, allowing three earned runs in five innings while striking out seven. He could return later in the season when the Cardinals need another starter, but for now, reliever Seth Elledge will take his place on the roster.

Ynoa (2-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 10-0 rout of the Cubs, allowing four hits and two walks over 5.1 scoreless innings. He struck out nine.

Inefficiency kept Ynoa from recording his third quality start of the season, as he needed 101 pitches (66 strikes) to record 16 outs, but it was an impressive performance from the 22-year-old nonetheless. He even aided his own cause by going 2-for-3 at the plate with his first career homer. Ynoa will take a 2.96 ERA and stunning 34:6 K:BB through 27.1 innings into his next outing.

Wood (3-0) earned the win over Colorado on Wednesday, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out nine.

It says a lot that the two runs Wood gave up Wednesday were the most he has yielded in a game this season. Given that fact, it's not surprising that the southpaw has earned a win in each of his three starts. His nine strikeouts against the Rockies marked a season high, and he now owns an impressive 20:3 K:BB across 18 innings. Wood will carry a 1.50 ERA and 0.67 WHIP into his next start, currently scheduled for Tuesday in a rematch versus the Rockies, this time in Colorado.

Marquez (1-2) was charged with the loss against San Francisco on Wednesday after allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over four innings.

All four runs yielded by Marquez came in the second inning, when the Giants pounded out three hits and worked three walks while sending nine batters to the plate. The right-hander gave up only one hit outside of that frame, but the damage was enough to send him to his second loss. This performance marked the first time Marquez has allowed four runs this season, and it tied for his shortest outing of the campaign. Though the veteran has racked up 33 strikeouts over 32.2 innings, he's also issued 19 walks, contributing to an untidy 1.47 WHIP. He'll next take the mound Monday in a rematch versus the Giants, this time at home.

Kershaw (4-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Reds after tossing seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits and a walk while fanning eight.

Kershaw hasn't given up a run in three of his last four starts, and he also has five straight quality starts after beginning the year with a subpar effort at Coors Field on April 1. The star left-hander bounced back quickly from that performance and has a 2.09 ERA through his first six outings while also posting an excellent 39:5 K:BB through 38.2 innings.

Gray (0-2) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Dodgers after giving up two runs on four hits and three walks while fanning 11 across 5.2 innings.

Gray might have suffered his second loss of the season, but he had a strong outing against one of the best offenses in the National League while fanning a season-high 11 batters and finishing an out shy of what would've been his first quality start of the campaign. Gray has a 5.93 ERA through his first three starts of 2021, but this outing was clearly a step in the right direction for the 31-year-old right-hander. He's slated to take the ball next week at home against the White Sox.

Keller (1-3) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against the Royals after allowing four runs on three hits and five walks while fanning two across 2.1 innings.

Keller had a rough outing Wednesday, giving up three runs in the first inning and failing to retire the side in order in any of his three frames. The right-hander has been very inconsistent this season, but he has given up three or more runs in three of his five outings to date while failing to pitch more than five innings in any of his starts. This translates to an inflated 8.20 ERA across his first 18.2 innings of the season. He's slated to next take the ball next week against the Padres on the road.

Oviedo allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven across five innings Wednesday against the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.

Oviedo surrendered a two-run homer to Brad Miller in the fifth inning, which soured what was an otherwise solid outing. He generated an impressive 17 swinging strikes to back up his seven punchouts. It's unclear what the team has planned for Oviedo both in the short- and long-term this season, though it would likely have to stick with a six-man rotation for him to remain a starter in the immediate future.