MLB Player News

The Dodgers designated Espinal for assignment Monday.

With Enrique Hernandez (elbow) coming off the 60-day injured list, the Dodgers needed to clear space on their 26-man and 40-man rosters. Espinal is the casualty after hitting only .220/.238/.366 over 44 plate appearances. He is likely to clear waivers and become a free agent.

The Dodgers activated Hernandez (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Hernandez has been sidelined all season after undergoing surgery in November to repair a torn tendon in his left elbow. He appeared in 12 rehab games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, slashing .214/.298/.310 with a 5:10 BB:K. The 34-year-old utility player should see regular playing time versus left-handed pitching.

Soto secured the save Monday against the Cubs, striking out one in a clean ninth inning.

Soto submitted his third consecutive scoreless appearance Monday, continuing to rebound after giving up three runs in his prior two outings to that stretch. Dennis Santana has coughed up 12 earned runs over his last 8.1 innings, opening the door for Soto to seize a larger share of Pittsburgh's save opportunities going forward. Through 25.1 innings, Soto has a 2.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 31:10 K:BB while converting six of his eight save chances.

Brown took a no-decision Monday against the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out seven.

After opening the season exclusively as a multi-inning reliever, Brown has fared well overall in his transition to Chicago's rotation. The 26-year-old right-hander turned in his longest outing of the year Monday, also tying a season high in punchouts. Brown has given up only four runs over his first four starts (19 innings) en route to producing a 2.01 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 47:14 K:BB across 44.2 frames in 2026, and he'll be looking to continue his success as a starter this weekend in St. Louis against the division-rival Cardinals.

Mlodzinski took a no-decision Monday against the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out two.

Mlodzinski is on a strong run on the hill of late, tossing at least five innings while yielding two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts. The 27-year-old right-hander fanned a career-high 10 during his May 2 outing against the Reds, but he's tallied just six punchouts altogether across his past four appearances. Mlodzinski should still carry some streaming appeal this weekend against the Twins, posting a 3.76 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 46:20 K:BB across 55 innings.

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said that Smith (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with the Arizona Complex League affiliate Monday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Smith's rehab has come along slowly but surely after he had surgery in mid-April to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. He'll start off his rehab assignment in the ACL before moving up to a higher affiliate. Because he's been sidelined for so long, Smith will likely require a lengthy rehab assignment. Once the 30-year-old returns, he will be in the mix for starts against right-handed pitching between first base and designated hitter.

Norby (elbow) is not in the lineup for Monday's contest in Toronto.

Norby had to be lifted from Sunday's game versus the Mets after being hit in the left elbow by a pitch. He is considered day-to-day. With Norby resting, Esteury Ruiz will draw a start for the Marlins in Monday's series opener.

Busch went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Pirates.

Busch homered for the second straight day but got no support around him as the Cubs dropped their ninth straight contest. The first baseman had been struggling recently too with a .176 batting average in his last 10 games before Sunday, but he's bounced back by going 3-for-8 with those two long balls over the last two days. On the season, Busch now has six home runs and 30 RBI in 53 games.

Thornton (2-1) allowed a run on two hits in an inning of relief to take the loss Monday against the Pirates.

Thornton served up a solo home run to Henry Davis in the bottom of the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie, and Pittsburgh would hold on for the 2-1 win. The Cubs are spiraling with nine straight losses, but Thornton has been mostly good this year with a 2.79 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 9.2 innings in eight appearances. The veteran righty should stick in a middle relief role for Chicago with limited fantasy upside at the moment.

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Monday that Puk (elbow) will need 7-to-8 rehab appearances before returning from the 60-day injured list, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Puk began his rehab assignment with the team's Arizona Complex League affiliate on Saturday, striking out one over a perfect inning. The left-hander will move up to a higher affiliate and make several more rehab appearances before rejoining the Diamondbacks' bullpen.