MLB Player News

Tong gave up three hits and two walks over 5.2 scoreless innings for Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. He struck out nine.

The MiLB strikeout leader kept on racking up whiffs in his Triple-A debut. Tong has a stunning 1.59 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 171:46 K:BB through 107.2 innings on the season between Double-A and Triple-A, and while the fact that the 2022 seventh-round pick isn't on the 40-man roster might delay his big-league debut until 2026, he appears to have little left to prove in the minors.

Swanson is absent from the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader versus the Brewers.

Swanson will get a bit of a break for the first game of the day before likely returning to the lineup for the nightcap. Nico Hoerner will shift over to shortstop for Monday's afternoon tilt, while Willi Castro will handle second base.

Happ is not in the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Happ will likely be back in the lineup for the nightcap, but he will begin Monday's afternoon tilt on the bench. Owen Caissie will start in left field and bat sixth in the first game Monday.

Megill (elbow) struck out nine batters over 3.1 scoreless innings in a rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Sunday. He allowed just one hit without walking a batter.

The right-hander was simply too much for Eastern League hitters, firing 39 of 55 pitches for strikes in his second rehab appearance. Megill hasn't pitched for the Mets since June 14 due to an elbow sprain, so he'll need at least one more start in the minors before potentially being an option for the big-league rotation, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he gets two more while the team takes a look at top prospect Nolan McLean. Over five innings for Binghamton on his rehab stint, Megill hasn't given up a run while posting a 13:1 K:BB.

The Cubs recalled Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hollowell will serve as the Cubs' 27th man during Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers. The right-handed reliever has pitched well during his opportunities in the majors this season, yielding just one run with an 8:3 K:BB across 7.1 innings.

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad permitted five runs on 13 hits and two walks over eight innings in his two starts with the big club. He will cede his rotation spot to Jameson Taillon (calf), who will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to make a start at some point during the Cubs' five-game series with the Brewers that opens Monday with a doubleheader.

The Cubs recalled Little from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Little will rejoin the Cubs for the first time since April, after he walked four of the six batters he faced in his lone relief appearance for the big club before being optioned to Triple-A. Since joining Iowa, Little has been one of the affiliate's more productive relievers, logging a 2.66 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 53:24 K:BB in 44 innings over 31 appearances. He'll be ticketed for low-leverage work out of the Chicago bullpen.

The Brewers recalled Patrick from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Patrick is the Brewers' designated 27th man for Monday's doubleheader against the Cubs and will start the second game of the twin bill at Wrigley Field. The rookie right-hander was squeezed out of the Brewers rotation last month but has pitched well for the big club, posting a 3.52 ERA and 95:30 K:BB over 94.2 frames covering 18 starts and one relief outing.

The Brewers optioned Black to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Milwaukee promoted Black from Nashville on Friday after Blake Perkins and Isaac Collins were placed on the bereavement list and paternity list, respectively, but the 25-year-old will head back to the minors with both players having since rejoined the Brewers. During his brief stay with the big club, Black didn't make a start but appeared in two of the Brewers' three games in Cincinnati over the weekend, going 0-for-2 with three walks.

The Brewers activated Collins (personal) from the paternity list Monday.

Collins missed the weekend series in Cincinnati while welcoming a new addition to the family. He's back just in time for a huge five-game series against the Cubs, which begins with a doubleheader Monday.