MLB Player News

Montgomery will operate as the Pirates' opening pitcher in Monday's series opener against the Cardinals, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Montgomery will serve as Pittsburgh's opener for the second time this season, having tossed a scoreless first inning in the team's 2-0 win over Washington on April 15. The southpaw has recorded seven straight scoreless appearances, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 6.2 innings during that stretch. Wilber Dotel is expected to follow Montgomery on the mound, handling the bulk role against St. Louis on Monday.

Perez is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Tigers at Truist Park, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The veteran left-hander has been impressive while working as both a starter and long reliever early this season, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB over 23.1 innings. Perez will replace Reynaldo Lopez in the rotation Tuesday, though it'll likely be just a spot start since Spencer Strider (oblique) is due back from the injured list in the near future.

Dollander is starting Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Dollander has been effective pitching behind an opener early this season, but he'll make his first start of the campaign to close out Sunday's doubleheader. After posting a 6.52 ERA in 21 starts as a rookie last year, the right-hander has showcased his potential across his first six outings of 2026 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB over 25 innings.

The Cubs designated Velasquez for assignment Sunday.

The veteran right-hander was added to the big-league roster Friday but won't retain his roster spot despite firing 2.1 scoreless frames Saturday versus the Dodgers. Velasquez will now go through the waiver process, after which he could elect to become a free agent, assuming he goes unclaimed.

The Cubs recalled Barnes from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

The left-hander was demoted nearly two weeks ago but is now back in the majors with Riley Martin (elbow) heading to the injured list. Barnes allowed three runs on four hits with one strikeout and three walks over three innings during his lone big-league appearance this year.

The Rockies recalled Castano from Triple-A Albuquerque to serve as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Castano was claimed off waivers from Seattle on Tuesday and will now receive his first look in the majors with his new organization. The right-hander has allowed one earned run over 7.1 innings at Triple-A between Albuquerque and Tacoma.

Rea (3-1) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 3.1 innings.

Rea got through two scoreless frames before giving up a two-run homer to Max Muncy in the third inning. Things went even further south for the righty in the fourth -- he retired the first hitter he faced, then allowed four straight batters to reach base, all of whom eventually came around to score (two after his departure). Rea hurt himself by issuing four free passes in the loss after handing out no more than two walks in any of his first five outings. He came into Saturday on a three-game win streak and having given up no more than three earned runs across any of his first five appearances, so he'll look to return to that form in what's projected to be a home start against Arizona next week.

Misiorowski didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out nine.

Misiorowski has fanned at least nine in four of his six starts this season, and he continues to be a good source for punchouts even if he's not pitching super deep into games. The right-hander has worked at least six innings just twice in 2026, but he's yet to allow more than three earned runs in any outing this year. Misiorowski will carry his 3.31 ERA and 51:15 K:BB across 32.2 innings into a likely matchup against the Nationals on the road next weekend.

Singer (2-1) earned the win over Detroit on Saturday, allowing two runs on eight hits and no walks while striking out three batters over 5.1 innings.

Singer's outing didn't start out well, as he gave up a leadoff homer to open the contest. However, he was able to get through 5.1 innings with just one other run on his ledger, which also came via a solo homer. Beyond those two long balls, the other six hits Singer allowed were all singles, and he minimized additional damage by not walking any batters. The right-hander fell short of notching a third straight quality start, but he seems to be turning things around after posting a 7.71 ERA through his first three starts of the campaign.

Keller didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six across five innings.

Keller tossed 60 of his 93 pitches for strikes and ended just three outs away from recording a quality start -- a feat he's accomplished in four of his six outings in 2026. The six strikeouts were also a season-high mark for the right-hander, who has given up three or fewer runs in five of his first six starts. Keller has a 3.18 ERA across 34 innings this season, and he lines up for a road matchup with the Red next weekend.