MLB Player News

The Cubs designated Cowles for assignment Tuesday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver pickup Doug Nikhazy. Cowles has slashed .232/.333/.377 this season with Triple-A Iowa.

Lee is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Mariners.

It's a well-earned day off for Lee, who had started each of the previous 16 contests. Tristan Gray will grab a start at shortstop and bat eighth for the Twins.

The Guardians optioned Brito to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

Brito didn't do much during his first stint in the majors, slashing .176/.250/.255 with a 30.4 percent strikeout rate. He's exiting the roster to clear space for the arrival of Travis Bazzana, who will take over as Cleveland's starting second baseman.

Mayer went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Monday's 5-0 win over Toronto.

Mayer's bat has come around over the last week. His batting average stood at .173 through the first 18 games played, but he's up to .243 with an 8-for-18 stretch that includes three doubles and four RBI over the last seven contests. All of his starts have come against right-handers, but interim manager Chad Tracy said Monday that he's open to giving Mayer opportunities against left-handers, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The Guardians plan to option Brito to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The Guardians plan to promote top prospect Travis Bazzana and are expected to clear a roster spot by optioning Brito, who had rocky first taste of MLB. After being called up to replace Gabriel Arias (hamstring) earlier in April, he slashed .176/.250/.255 over 15 games while committing some defensive miscues. Bazzana is expected to become the team's primary second baseman and could remain there when Arias is ready to return.

Emerson (wrist) went 1-for-4 with a double, two walks and one run scored Sunday against Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Emerson had been slowed by a wrist injury suffered earlier in the month, but he managed to return to the starting lineup for Triple-A Tacoma on Friday and has played in three consecutive games. The untimely wrist injury may have prevented him from being promoted to the big-league club after Brendan Donovan (groin) hit the 10-day injured list. However, now that Emerson has returned to health, a call to the major leagues could be on the horizon.

Cruz was scratched from the Pirates' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Monday due to an illness.

Cruz evidently fell ill prior to Monday's game, which prompted the Pirates to replace him with Jake Mangum in center field and shift Spencer Horwitz to the leadoff spot in the batting order. Cruz will continue to receive treatment in the hopes of being cleared to return for Tuesday's contest against St. Louis.

The Yankees have yet to decide whether Volpe (shoulder) will be activated from the 10-day injured list for their series this weekend against the Orioles, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reported Sunday that Volpe would rejoin the Yankees this week, and while that could still happen, the decision has yet to be made. Volpe is slashing .308/.333/.423 with one home run, two stolen bases and a 1:7 BB:K in his first eight rehab games. He's currently at Double-A Somerset and will continue his rehab with the affiliate until the Yankees choose when to activate him.

Cruz (undisclosed) has been scratched from Monday's lineup against the Cardinals.

It's unclear why Cruz was removed, but he has been replaced by Jake Mangum in center field. The Pirates should have an update on Cruz's status during or shortly after Monday's contest.

Duran will start at second base and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Yankees.

Though he looked to be a candidate to move into a full-time role after Wyatt Langford (forearm) was placed on the injured list Wednesday, Duran has started in just one of the Rangers' ensuing three matchups versus right-handed pitching. Duran will be back in the lineup Monday while southpaw Max Fried takes the hill for New York, but the Rangers appear set to prioritize the left-handed-hitting Alejandro Osuna over him in the corner outfield when the team faces righties.