MLB Player News

Myers (6-4) took the loss Monday against the Cubs, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

Despite matching his career high in strikeouts with six, a mark he's reached four times in his last six starts, Myers was saddled with the loss in this 87-pitch outing. The Milwaukee rookie has impressed of late, pitching to a 1.95 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB across 50.2 innings since the beginning of June. DL Hall (knee/forearm) and Joe Ross (back) could return soon as they continue rehab assignments at Triple-A Nashville, but Myers appears locked into a rotation spot. The 25-year-old currently lines up to face the Marlins at home in his next start this weekend.

Busch went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Monday's 3-1 win over the Brewers. He also stole a base.

Busch tallying two hits isn't surprising, as he's batting a solid .270 this season and .313 this month. However, the stolen base is a bit more unusual, as it was just his second of the year and first since May 10. Even without being a threat on the bases, Busch has been a solid fantasy asset, and he should continue to produce given his regular role in the heart of the Cubs' lineup.

Keller came away with a no-decision Monday against the Cardinals, allowing one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out three in seven innings.

The lone blemish on Keller's line was a solo home run by Nolan Gorman in the fifth inning, the only extra-base hit of the night for the Cardinals. The right-hander matched a season low with just three strikeouts, but he logged his 11th quality start in what has been a strong campaign for the 28-year-old. Keller owns a 3.34 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 108:32 K:BB across 121.1 innings this season. He will look to keep things going in his next start, currently scheduled for this weekend in Arizona.

Smyly (3-5) tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Monday against the Brewers. He allowed one hit and didn't record any walks or strikeouts.

Cubs starter Javier Assad didn't allow any runs over his 3.1 innings of work, but he also issued six walks and threw 76 pitches, which forced Smyly into the game early. The veteran lefty continued his strong recent form and lowered his ERA to 2.79. Chicago has stuck with Assad and Kyle Hendricks at the back of its rotation, though both pitchers have had their struggles this season and could be bumped for Smyly if the team decides to make a change.

Happ went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Monday's 3-1 victory against the Brewers.

The Chicago outfielder slugged a 377-foot solo shot off Tobias Myers in the sixth inning for his 16th homer of the season. After a hitless weekend in 12 at-bats against Arizona to open the second half, the long ball was a welcome sight for Happ. Across 67 plate appearances this month, the switch hitter is batting .271 (16-for-59) with five homers, 11 runs scored and 15 RBI. Happ is locked in as an everyday player for the Cubs, playing left field and hitting cleanup.

Neris picked up the save in Monday's 3-1 win versus Milwaukee, pitching a scoreless inning with no strikeouts. He allowed one hit.

The veteran reliever pounded the zone in this outing, firing 10 of his 12 pitches for strikes, and he secured his 103rd career save. Neris has turned in nine consecutive scoreless outings dating back to June 22. Over that time, he's been a fantasy stalwart, gathering four saves and 12 strikeouts across eight innings. Given his recent run of success, Neris could be a trade target at next week's July 30 deadline and lose his easy path to saves.

Bednar pitched a scoreless ninth inning to notch his 18th save of the season Monday against the Cardinals, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out one batter.

Bednar allowed a two-out single to Paul Goldschmidt but he promptly struck out Nolan Gorman to secure the win for Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old has rebounded from a tough start to the season, logging a 2.45 ERA and converting all seven of his save chances since June 1. Bednar still owns a 4.98 ERA on the season, but his 1.08 WHIP is more reflective of his performance.

Benson went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and two stolen bases in a 4-1 win over Atlanta on Monday.

Benson went yard in the third inning and then stole second and third base in the fifth. Even so, he was pinch-hit for against a southpaw in the ninth. On the season, the 26-year-old is hitting a miserable .194 but has contributed 11 home runs and 13 steals across 299 plate appearances while starting against most right-handed pitchers.

Assad did not factor into the decision in Monday's 3-1 win over Milwaukee, allowing one hit and six walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out two.

Assad made his second appearance since returning from a forearm strain and was unable to locate the strike zone, issuing a career-worst six free passes and needing 76 pitches to record 10 outs. He's now yielded eight walks across 6.2 innings since coming off the IL. Overall, the Cubs righty sports a 3.15 ERA in 88.2 innings, but he may be unable to maintain that mark given his subpar 4.61 FIP and 4.2 BB/9. Assad is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Royals on the road this weekend.

Cruz went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and two stolen bases in Monday's win against the Cardinals.

Cruz logged his first multi-steal game of the season, nabbing second base in both the first and third innings off Cardinals starter Andre Pallante. The shortstop hasn't been very active on the basepaths this season but he is now 9-for-10 in stolen base attempts. The 25-year-old has had a highly productive July, batting .321 with three home runs, 14 RBI, eight runs scored, and three steals across 14 games played.