MLB Player News

The Cubs are expected to place Happ (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The club has yet to make this move official, but Happ is out of the lineup Monday against the Marlins for the third game in a row due to the oblique issue and isn't progressing as quickly as the club had hoped. Because he hasn't played since May 9, his IL stint would be retroactive to that date, meaning that he could be activated as soon as May 20. The Cubs plan to call up Moises Ballesteros from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move, and he will likely take over as the team's primary designated hitter, which will allow Seiya Suzuki to continue serving as Happ's main replacement in left field.

Ballesteros is expected to be called up from Triple-A Iowa ahead of Tuesday's game against the Marlins, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

A 21-year-old catching prospect, Ballesteros will likely enter the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins and could see regular starts at designated hitter with Ian Happ (oblique) set to be placed on the injured list in a corresponding move. Ballesteros has been mashing at Triple-A so far this season, batting .368 with four home runs, 18 RBI and three stolen bases over 34 games.

Brito underwent a UCL internal brace surgery and a repair of his flexor tendon last month and will miss the entire 2025 season, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Brito was moved to the 60-day injured list at the beginning of April, but Cassavell's report provides an explanation for why the Padres made that transaction. He's facing a lengthy recovery and will shift his focus on preparing for the 2026 season after going under the knife.

Sanchez did not factor in the decision during Monday's loss to St. Louis. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out eight over six innings.

Sanchez tossed three scoreless frames before Pedro Pages brought home a run with a fielder's choice in the fourth inning. Ivan Herrera later drilled a solo homer in the sixth. Sanchez has allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his eight outings this season, including an active six-start streak. He produced 13 whiffs Monday, including eight with his changeup. Sanchez is sporting an impressive 2.91 ERA with a 52:17 K:BB across 43.1 innings. He's in line for a home matchup against the Pirates this weekend.

Liberatore did not factor in the decision during Monday's win over Philadelphia. He allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings while striking out four.

Liberatore kept the Phillies scoreless until Edmundo Sosa's RBI infield single in the fourth inning. Liberatore gave up another run in the sixth inning and was lifted before he could qualify for a quality start. He threw 56 of 80 pitches for strikes and generated 11 whiffs. Only one swinging strike came via the fastball, but his average velo was slightly up from 94.5 mph to 95 mph. Liberatore owns a solid 3.11 ERA with a 42:7 K:BB through 46.1 innings this season. He's projected for a start in Kansas City this weekend.

Helsley struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save against Philadelphia on Monday.

Helsley threw nine of 13 pitches for strikes to retire the Phillies' 8-9-1 hitters in order and close out the 3-2 win. He's converted eight of his 10 save chances this season, including four straight. He coughed up at least one run in back-to-back outings April 26 and May 2, but has since turned in four consecutive scoreless innings. Helsley owns a 3.00 ERA with a 16:10 K:BB through 15 frames.

Skenes did not factor into the decision against the Mets on Monday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks while striking out six across six innings.

Skenes was able to pitch himself out of trouble for most of the night, with his lone blemish coming in the fourth inning on a Jeff McNeil RBI double. Skenes generated nine whiffs and 16 first-pitch strikes on 92 pitches and managed to log his sixth quality start of the season. Across 54.2 innings this season, the 22-year-old ace has a 2.63 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, which rank seventh and fifth, respectively, in the National League among qualified starters. Skenes is slated to face the Phillies on the road this weekend.

Peralta (4-3) allowed four runs on four hits and three walks over 5.1 innings Monday, striking out four and taking a loss against Cleveland.

Peralta delivered three scoreless frames before Gabriel Arias ripped a three-run double in the fourth inning. Kyle Manzardo later knocked Peralta out of the game with an RBI single in the sixth. Peralta made his first start since May 4 due to a minor groin issue and it's possible that was a lingering issue in Monday's disappointing outing. He now owns a 2.66 ERA with a 52:18 K:BB through 50.2 innings this season. Peralta is currently lined up to face the Orioles at home next week.

Kiner-Falefa went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Mets.

Kiner-Falefa slashed .302/.327/.377 with two stolen bases and three RBI in the 15 games prior to his stint on the 10-day injured list due to a right hamstring strain. He picked up where he left off Monday, smashing a solo home run to left-center field off David Peterson in the second frame. Kiner-Falefa added a single in the sixth frame to log his seventh multi-hit game of the season, and he has a career-best .704 OPS over 113 plate appearances this year.

Peterson did not factor into the decision Monday against the Pirates, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out seven across six innings.

After giving up a solo homer to Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the second inning, Peterson was able to rebound by retiring the next 10 batters he faced (including four strikeouts) before being tagged for a second run in the seventh frame. Peterson was able to generate 17 whiffs on 100 pitches (67 strikes) en route to his second straight quality start and fourth of the season. He has a 3.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB across 44.1 innings and is slated to take on the Yankees on the road this weekend.