MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Salazar from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Salazar had a hard time finding his footing in the majors to begin the season, posting a 9.77 ERA and 2.23 WHIP in 15.2 innings. Since returning to Triple-A on May 7, he's given up just two runs in 10.1 frames while striking out eight batters and walking seven. His turnaround will buy him another chance in the Nationals' bullpen, though he likely won't see many high-leverage opportunities. Jorge Lopez was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

Lodolo came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Cubs, allowing five hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out five.

The southpaw shut down a dangerous Chicago offense over 94 pitches (56 strikes), but the Cincinnati offense managed just one hit on the afternoon. The quality start was Lodolo's seventh in 12 trips to the mound, and he'll take a 3.10 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 60:14 K:BB through 69.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Diamondbacks.

Diaz isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Diaz will give way to Martin Maldonado behind the plate after making three consecutive starts and going 1-for-11.

Tucker went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Reds. He also stole a base.

Tucker stole his 16th base of the season in the win, which is second on the team to Pete Crow-Armstrong, who also swiped a bag Saturday and now has 17 steals this year. Tucker has complemented his speed with an outstanding .911 OPS and 12 home runs, which has made him an elite and well-rounded fantasy asset in his first season with the Cubs.

Happ went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Reds.

The veteran outfielder opened the scoring in the bottom of the eighth inning when he crossed the plate on a Seiya Suzuki double. Happ came into the contest batting only .184 over nine games since returning from the injured list on May 20, but his strong track record suggests he'll get things going soon, and he should stick as Chicago's primary leadoff option due to his ability to consistently get on base with hits or walks.

Pomeranz opened Saturday's 2-0 win over the Reds and tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout.

Pomeranz only needed nine pitches to work through the opening frame, and the lefty set up bulk pitcher Ben Brown, who followed with six scoreless innings of his own. Pomeranz has now made 15 appearances for the Cubs this season covering 13.2 innings and has yet to allow any earned runs. That's made the veteran a valuable reliever working in front of Daniel Palencia, who has emerged as Chicago's top closing option in recent weeks.

Brown tossed six scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Reds. He allowed a hit and a walk, while striking out nine.

Brown followed opener Drew Pomeranz, and the former turned in arguably his best performance of the year, though he couldn't snag the win as the Cubs scored all their runs in the eighth inning after Brown had departed. The righty matched his season high in strikeouts and innings pitched, and he lowered his ERA to 5.72 in the process. Brown still has some work to do with his ERA after allowing a total of 14 runs over his previous two outings, though Saturday's performances was a clear step in the right direction for the 25-year-old. He'll look to carry some momentum into his next scheduled start, which is tentatively penciled in for Friday against a tough Detroit squad.

Palencia tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to secure the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Reds.

Palencia now has five saves on the season, and all of them have come in the past 10 days. The righty is pitching well with a sparkling 1.74 ERA and 0.77 WHIP, and he's emerged as Chicago's top closer for the time being due to Ryan Pressly struggling earlier in the year and Porter Hodge (oblique) being on the injured list. Hodge's return could complicate things at the back end of Chicago's bullpen, though it seems like Palencia has done enough to hold onto the job, at least if he continues to perform at a high level.

Gurriel isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Gurriel went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored during Friday's contest, extending his hitting streak to seven games -- five of which have been multi-hit outings. He'll get a chance to catch his breath Saturday while Randal Grichuk starts in left field and bats eighth.

Imanaga (hamstring) completed a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Imanaga has now thrown a pair of side sessions since landing on the injured list May 5, as the Cubs have been working him back slowly from a left hamstring strain. Assuming he's dealing with nothing more than normal soreness following Saturday's session, Imanaga is expected to shift his rehab program to the Cubs' spring training facility in Arizona during the upcoming week. Imanaga will need to face hitters in live batting practice before the Cubs determine whether to send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment or have him build up his pitch count through simulated games before bringing him back from the IL.