MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Little to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Little was with the big club for a week and made one appearance, allowing one run over one inning of work. He's clearing out to make space on the roster for Matthew Boyd (biceps), who is back from the injured list to start Wednesday's contest versus the Phillies.

The Cubs activated Boyd (biceps) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Boyd is set to rejoin the rotation with a start Wednesday against the Phillies after missing the past two-plus weeks with a left biceps strain. The left-hander threw 64 pitches and went 3.2 innings in his lone rehab outing last Thursday, so he might not be ready for a full workload in his first start back from the injured list.

The Phillies selected Stubbs' contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He'll join the big club as a replacement for top catcher J.T. Realmuto (back), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. Rafael Marchan will draw the start behind the plate in Wednesday's game against the Cubs and will likely see the larger share of playing time at catcher while Realmuto is out, though Stubbs should be in line for at least a couple starts per week. After failing to win a spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster, Stubbs shined early on at Triple-A this season, slashing .289/.413/.632 with three home runs and three stolen bases across 46 plate appearances.

The Phillies placed Realmuto on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to back spasms, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto initially tweaked his back on a play at the plate in Friday's 9-0 loss to Atlanta, then started Saturday but left early after aggravating the injury. He was held out of the lineup for the next two days before returning to action in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Cubs, but his back is apparently still presenting issues for him. The Phillies will shut Realmuto down for at least the next week and a half with the hope that the back problem resolves itself, though the veteran backstop is without an official timeline for a return. Rafael Marchan and Garrett Stubbs will share the catching duties while Realmuto is on the mend.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that he has not considered removing Williams from the closer role, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Williams failed to retire any of the five batters he faced in Tuesday's loss to the Twins and has allowed seven runs in 1.1 innings covering his last three appearances. He had been unscored upon in his first five outings of the season, however, and Mendoza is confident Williams can right the ship. Luke Weaver is the Mets' primary setup man and likely would be next in line if Mendoza makes a change at some point, though Weaver has not pitched well so far, posting a 6.23 ERA and 4:3 K:BB in 8.2 frames.

Williamson (2-2) took the loss Wednesday as the Reds were downed 6-1 by the Rays, coughing up five runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

A third-inning solo shot by Junior Caminero marked the only extra-base hit off Williamson, but the southpaw has trouble putting hitters away and tossed 54 strikes among his 87 pitches. He's failed to last five frames in three of his five starts so far this season, producing a 5.40 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 15:16 K:BB over 25 innings, With Nick Lodolo (blister) getting close to making his 2026 debut, Williamson's time in the rotation could be nearing an end.

The Phillies transferred Lazar (oblique) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

Lazar will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to catcher Garrett Stubbs, who was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The righty reliever has been out all season with a left oblique strain and won't be eligible to make his 2026 debut with the Phillies until late May.

Sanoja went 3-for-4 in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals.

Getting the start at third base and batting ninth before shifting to second base later in the contest, Sanoja rapped out his third three-hit performance of the season. The 23-year-old utility player has seen action at five different positions (second, third, shortstop, left field and center field) already this season while contributing a surprising amount of offense, slashing .352/.397/.407 with three doubles, two steals, one run and nine RBI through 18 games.

Tovar is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Padres.

Tovar has gone just 5-for-36 at the plate across his last 11 games, so he will get a breather to regroup. Willi Castro will receive the nod at shortstop for Colorado and will occupy the No. 8 spot in the batting order.

Doyle is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Doyle will receive a day off after going just 2-for-14 with a 0:4 BB:K so far during the Rockies' homestand. Jake McCarthy will patrol center field and bat ninth in Doyle's stead.