MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Assad owns a 5.88 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 26 innings in the big leagues this season, and he hasn't been much better since being sent down to Iowa on May 17 (6.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). Despite his recent struggles, he'll rejoin the Cubs to provide a fresh arm capable of going multiple innings out of the bullpen. Ethan Roberts was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and an RBI in Friday's win over the Padres.

The 28-year-old infielder is locking in at the plate. Bichette has six hits in the last two games, and over his last 18 contests he's slashing .282/.333/.465 with two doubles, a triple, three homers, 10 runs and 14 RBI.

Phillips didn't factor into the decision in Friday's loss to the Rays, giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 relief innings, He struck out three.

The right-hander worked in tandem with Ryan Gusto, who got the start and took the loss after coughing up three runs of his own in just two innings. Phillips wound up tossing 82 pitches (50 strikes) to help save the rest of the bullpen, and he even took a comebacker off the foot from Yandy Diaz in the fifth inning but was able to stay in the game. The Marlins' injury-depleted staff can ill afford to lose another arm, and assuming the foot isn't an issue, Phillips should get another turn as a starter or bulk reliever during next week's home series against the Diamondbacks. Over 18 appearances (two starts) this season, he carries a 2.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 36:22 K:BB in 43.1 innings.

Arroyo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

Arroyo will take a seat Saturday after going 2-for-10 with two walks and six strikeouts across his first four games as an MLB player. Spencer Steer will start at second base in Arroyo's stead, and Noelvi Marte will enter the starting nine as Cincinnati's right fielder.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Stephenson broke an 0-for-12 stretch at the plate by hitting a single in Friday's loss, and he'll now retreat to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. P.J. Higgins will fill in at catcher and bat ninth.

McKenzie allowed just one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings in his debut for Single-A Augusta on Friday. He struck out eight.

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft who got a well-above-slot $3 million signing bonus to buy him out of a commitment to LSU, McKenzie made only three starts in the Florida Complex League this season to begin his pro career before earning a promotion, delivering a 0.79 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 11.1 innings in the FCL. The 19-year-old lefty sports a mid-90s fastball, a promising changeup and a curveball that's already flashing plus, and his frame and portside delivery have drawn early comparisons to Rangers southpaw MacKenzie Gore.

Dunn started in center field and went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Friday's 10-3 loss to St. Louis.

Dunn opened the game with a single and scored the Reds' first run. This was his second straight start in center field, after the club demoted TJ Friedl on Wednesday. At the very least, Dunn will serve on the strong side of a platoon there with Dane Myers entering the lineup against lefties. Dunn is slashing .284/.333/.420 over 87 plate appearances since his call-up in early May.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 8-6 win over the White Sox.

The veteran outfielder has had a tough time adjusting to his new surroundings after spending the prior six seasons with the Rangers, but Garcia may be getting comfortable as a Phillie. He's gone yard in back-to-back games as part of a modest four-game hit streak to begin June, boosting his batting average back above .200 after he ended May in a 2-for-35 funk. On the year, Garcia's slashing .202/.279/.333 with six homers, three steals, 18 RBI and 20 runs in 62 contests.

Schwarber went 4-for-5 with two runs scored in Friday's 8-6 win over the White Sox.

It was the ninth career game with at least four hits for the veteran slugger, but his first with zero extra-base hits. Schwarber is locked in at the plate right now, slashing .357/.438/.595 over the last 11 games with three homers, four RBI and six runs, and he still leads the majors with 23 homers in 60 contests.

Marte started in right field and went 1-for-4 in Friday's 10-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Marte made his first start since being recalled Wednesday. The Reds have cycled through a few bodies in the outfield, including Marte earlier this season, and will give him another shot. The recent demotion of TJ Friedl opened up center field for Blake Dunn, leaving right field for Marte or Will Benson whenever Spencer Steer is occupying another position.