MLB Player News

Brown will start Sunday's game versus the White Sox at Rate Field, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brown returned from a nearly month-long stint in the minors July 21 and gave up seven runs (six earned) over four innings in long relief one day later against Kansas City. Despite that rough outing, the Cubs are giving the right-hander another opportunity to start, though it may not be a permanent move back into the rotation since Jameson Taillon (calf) is on track to return from the injured list in the first half of August. Brown has posted an impressive 10.3 K/9 across 83.1 innings spanning 17 appearances (14 starts) on the campaign, but the rest of his numbers have been mostly poor, including a 6.48 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 4-7 record.

Junk (5-2) earned the win against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing three runs on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

Junk allowed four doubles but just five hard-hit balls overall while generating an impressive 14 whiffs on 86 pitches. The 29-year-old has now surrendered seven earned runs in his past two starts after giving up just two through his first three July outings, though he'll still finish the month with a 2.79 ERA over 29 innings. He'll carry a 3.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 44:5 K:BB across 60.1 frames into a home matchup with the Yankees next weekend.

Holmes is expected to be placed on the injured list due to right elbow tightness Sunday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Holmes threw 81 pitches over four innings in a start against Texas on Saturday, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts. After the game, manager Brian Snitker said the right-hander dealt with elbow tightness during the outing and will be placed on the injured list to get checked out. Holmes' injury is another in what has been a devastating season for the team's rotation -- Chris Sale (ribs), Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) and AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) are all also currently on the IL.

Brown (9-5) took the loss against the Athletics on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five across five innings.

Brown entered Saturday's game with a 7.80 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 15 innings over his prior three starts. He was much better against the Athletics, but despite giving up just one run on a Brent Rooker double in the first inning, Brown still came away with the loss as the Astros struggled to generate offense. Brown is lined up to face the Red Sox at Fenway Park next weekend, when he'll look to get back in the win column for the first time since July 2.

Lopez did not factor into the decision in Saturday's game against the Astros, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out four across 4.1 innings.

Lopez allowed two baserunners in each of the first two innings of Saturday's start but managed to escape without yielding a run. He finished his outing with 10 whiffs but needed 95 pitches to record just 10 outs, so he could last long enough to pick up the win. Lopez sits at a 4.29 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 65 innings heading into his next start, which is tentatively slated for next weekend at home against the Diamondbacks.

Bibee (7-9) allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Royals.

Bibee was tagged for two-run home runs by Freddy Fermin and Bobby Witt, but he got enough run support from the Guardians to escape with the win. This was just the sixth time in 21 starts that Bibee has allowed multiple homers, though two of those instances have come in his five outings in July. He's allowed 20 runs (18 earned) across 26.1 innings this month, though he's also won three of his starts in that span. Overall, he has a 4.39 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 107:33 K:BB across 121 innings this season. The 26-year-old's next start is projected to be at home versus the Twins.

Williams allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Royals.

Williams has posted three quality starts over his last four outings, though he has just one win for his efforts and has a 27:11 K:BB across 24 innings during that stretch. Williams continues to battle a high walk rate (4.9 BB/9), but he's been fairly successful with a 3.51 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 109 strikeouts over 110.1 innings through 21 starts. The 26-year-old's next start is projected to be at home versus the Twins next weekend.

Senzatela (4-14) took the loss against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts over four innings.

Senzatela allowed five of his six runs via the long ball and gave up eight hard-hit balls while generating just five whiffs on 77 pitches. It marked the sixth time in 21 starts the 30-year-old has surrendered multiple homers, and he's now allowed six or more earned runs on five occasions. He'll carry a 6.68 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 55:36 K:BB across 102.1 innings into a home matchup with the Pirates next weekend.

Bubic (8-7) allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out one over 2.2 innings, taking the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Guardians.

Bubic threw just 35 of 66 pitches for strikes in this outing, which was his shortest of the season. He's allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 20.1 innings across four starts in July, but he's also walked 10 batters this month, a trend that will make it tough for him to replicate his first-half success if it continues. Bubic has a 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 116:39 K:BB through 116.1 innings across 20 starts this season. His next start is tentatively projected to be in a tough road matchup in Toronto.

Wacha allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out five over 5.1 innings, taking a no-decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Guardians.

Wacha has come up winless in six straight outings, but he's held opponents to exactly one run in three straight no-decisions. The right-hander limited the damage to a sacrifice fly in this contest. He's now at a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 90:35 K:BB through 117.1 innings over 21 starts this season. Wacha lines up for a tough matchup in Toronto next weekend.