MLB Player News

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.

Smith (back) will start at catcher and bat third in Monday's game versus the Marlins.

Smith missed both of the previous two contests with back tightness, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in Monday's series opener. The veteran catcher has slashed .266/.337/.392 with three home runs across his first 89 plate appearances this season.

The Cubs reinstated Maton (knee) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Maton landed on the 15-day injured list April 10 due to right knee tendinitis, but he has recovered enough to return to the majors despite just one rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, when he allowed two hits and zero walks while striking out two across two scoreless innings. Matton gave up six earned runs across his three outings prior to landing on the IL, but the hope from the Cubs is the rehab was enough for the right-hander to return to his 2025 form, when he posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 22 holds, five saves (in 10 attempts) and an 81:23 K:BB across 61.1 innings with the Cardinals and Rangers. Charlie Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

The Marlins optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.

Hernandez will head to the minors after producing a .159/.284/.190 batting line across 74 plate appearances on the season. His roster spot will be absorbed by Christopher Morel (oblique), who was reinstated from the injured list.

The Marlins activated Morel (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Morel is finally ready to make his Marlins debut after going down with a left oblique strain in late March. He participated in four rehab contests with Triple-A Jacksonville, going 3-for-14 with a 2:5 BB:K. Morel was slated to be Miami's primary first baseman before getting hurt, but it's unclear if he'll have as clear of a path to an everyday role now that he's healthy again. He'll face competition for reps at the position from Connor Norby, who will start at first base in Monday's series opener against the Dodgers while Morel is relegated to the bench.

The Mets claimed Wagaman off waivers from the Twins on Monday.

Wagaman had been designated for assignment by the Twins last week after hitting only .159/.284/.254 early on at Triple-A St. Paul. The 28-year-old has been assigned to Triple-A Syracuse, where he will give the Mets right-handed hitting depth in the corner infield and outfield spots.

The Rockies optioned Peralta to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Peralta was in the majors for only a few days and he didn't make an appearance. The southpaw returns to Albuquerque, where he's posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with seven strikeouts over 9.2 innings out of the bullpen.

The Rockies optioned Halvorsen to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Halvorsen was with the big club for a few days while Jimmy Herget was on paternity leave, making a couple scoreless appearances. With Herget returned to the active roster, Halvorsen is headed back to the minors.

The Rockies activated Herget from the restricted list Monday.

Herget was moved from the paternity list to the restricted list Sunday because he spent an extra day with his growing family, but he's now back on the active roster. The sidearmer has permitted only two runs with an 11:2 K:BB in 12 innings for the Rockies this season.

The Cardinals claimed Peralta off waivers from the Rockies on Monday.

The younger brother of Freddy Peralta, Luis has spent all of this season at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he's been bludgeoned for 14 runs with a 14:13 K:BB over 7.1 frames. The left-hander has collected a 6.03 ERA and 30:23 K:BB in 31.1 innings during his chances at the big-league level. Peralta boasts a 30.2 percent strikeout rate in the minors but also a 13.9 percent walk rate. He will report to Triple-A Memphis.