MLB Player News

May took a no-decision Monday against the Pirates, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out two.

Just one of the hits allowed went for extra bases, as May continued to put his awful start to the season in the rear-view mirror. Although the right-hander gave up 13 runs over his first 7.1 frames, he's pitched at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts en route to producing a 1.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB during that stretch. May still has a 5.28 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB over 30.2 frames for the season, and a tall task against the Dodgers awaits him in his next scheduled outing.

Martin has been diagnosed with flexor strain in his left elbow and is expected to miss eight weeks, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Martin was placed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend due to left elbow inflammation, but it's since been reported that he'll need more than the minimum to return to full strength. The Cubs are weathering quite the injury storm in the bullpen, as Daniel Palencia (lat), Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) are also on the shelf.

Ohtani, who is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Marlins on the mound, could be held back from hitting, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts stated that the team intends to give Ohtani a break given the fact that the two-way player is pitching on five days of rest instead of his usual six days. The Dodgers also have an early start time Wednesday, making it all the more likely that Ohtani is restricted to pitching only Tuesday. Expect more clarification from the team on the 31-year-old's usage closer to Tuesday's first pitch.

Pauley is not in the Marlins' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Monday.

Pauley will take a seat for Monday's series opener while Javier Sanoja mans the hot corner and bats eighth. Pauley has gone 5-for-10 with one home run and four RBI during his current four-game hitting streak.

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.

Ballesteros will start at catcher and bat sixth in Monday's game versus the Padres.

It's the first start and second appearance at catcher this season for Ballesteros, who is slashing .397/.446/.690 with four home runs as the Cubs' primary designated hitter. Most of Ballesteros' playing time is likely to continue to come at DH, but it would be a major boost to his fantasy prospects if he catches enough to gain eligibility at the position.

Mangum is starting in center field and batting eighth against the Cardinals on Monday.

Mangum was initially slated to open Monday's series opener on the bench, but he will get the start in center field instead after the Pirates scratched Oneil Cruz (undisclosed) from the lineup. Mangum is slashing .254/.313/.288 with three steals and two RBI over 65 plate appearances this season.

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.

Muncy (illness) will start at third base and bat sixth in Monday's contest against the Marlins.

Muncy was under the weather over the weekend, forcing an early exit from Saturday's game versus the Cubs. He did not play Sunday, though the Dodgers said he had been scheduled for a day off, anyway. Muncy is ready to go for the series opener versus the Marlins and will carry a robust 1.028 OPS into play Monday.

The Cubs optioned Barnes to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Barnes was called up for the second time of the season Sunday, but he did not pitch in the Cubs' 6-0 loss to the Dodgers. The Cubs reinstated Phil Maton (knee) from the 15-day injured list Monday, and the big club will send Barnes back to Triple-A, where he has appeared in five games (two starts) with a 3-0 record and a 3.24 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 16.2 innings.