MLB Player News

Assad (6-1) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander collected the victory in his third straight start and fifth straight winning decision despite serving up homers to Jared Young and Francisco Alvarez in the fourth inning, as the Cubs outslugged the home squad 10-3. Assad has been impressive since rejoining the big-league rotation in early June, and over four starts this month he's delivered a 1.96 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 23 innings. He'll look to stay locked in for his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Padres.

Young is out of the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cubs.

With lefty Shota Imanaga taking the hill for Chicago in the second game of the day, the left-handed-hitting Young will cede first base to Mark Vientos. Young went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in the Mets' 10-3 loss in the first game of the day.

Soto (back) is out of the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Cubs.

Soto will wind up sitting out both ends of the twin bill after exiting Tuesday's loss 9-6 loss due left side back tightness. Earlier Wednesday, manager Carlos Mendoza told Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com that a trip to the injured list hasn't been ruled out for Soto, though the Mets look like they'll wait at least one more day to make a decision on that front. Carson Benge will cover left field for the nightcap while Soto remains on the bench.

Lopez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Rangers.

The breakout shortstop ended up supplying the game-winning hit when he took Cole Winn deep in the eighth inning. Lopez has reeled off three straight multi-hit efforts as part of a six-game hit streak, and his .340 batting average on the season continues to pace the majors. At the 80-game mark, he's also delivered six homers, 16 steals, 35 RBI and 51 runs.

Fairbanks recorded his 12th save of the season Wednesday in a 4-2 win over the Rangers, giving up one run on one hit. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The right-hander was taken deep by Joc Pederson for a second straight day, but Fairbanks otherwise cruised through the ninth inning on 13 pitches (10 strikes). Despite his success in save chances -- he's converted six straight and is 12-for-14 on the year -- Fairbanks has looked shaky in June, serving up three homers and getting scored upon in four of 10 appearances while compiling a 5.58 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over 9.2 innings.

Susac is not in the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the Athletics, Evan Webeck of the California Post reports.

After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Tuesday's game, Susac will ride the bench Wednesday. Eric Haase will instead be behind the plate and bat eighth.

Bleday is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

The left-handed-hitting Bleday has fallen into a 1-for-21 drought at the plate over his last seven games, and with southpaw Shane Drohan starting for Milwaukee on Wednesday, Reds manager Terry Francona decided it was an ideal time to give the slumping outfielder a break. Cincinnati will go with an outfield of Blake Dunn, Dane Myers and Noelvi Marte from left to right while Bleday sits for the first time since April 28, ending a streak of 49 starts.

Arroyo is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Arroyo will take a seat for the second time in the series and appears set to move into a part-time role after Cincinnati welcomed Elly De La Cruz back from the injured list Tuesday. With De La Cruz sliding back into an everyday role at shortstop, Matt McLain is likely to be prioritized at second base ahead of Arroyo, who is hitting .226 with no home runs or steals in 19 games since being promoted from Triple-A Louisville on June 1.

Perez didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

Activated from the IL earlier in the day after recovering from a thigh injury that had sidelined him since May 27, Perez was limited to 68 pitches (44 strikes) and fell one out short of qualifying for the victory. The 23-year-old right-hander carries a 4.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 73:28 K:BB through 67.1 innings on the season, but he's given up one earned run or fewer in his last three trips to the mound and could be poised for a monster second half if he can stay healthy. Perez should get stretched out to a more normal workload in his next outing, which is set to come on the road early next week in Colorado.

The Giants optioned Beck to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Beck has pitched 2.2 scoreless innings since being recalled from Triple-A on June 14, but he'll now end up as the odd man out of a roster spot to make room for Tyler Mahle's (hamstring) return from the IL. Beck has given up eight earned runs over 10.2 innings in the big leagues this season and will remain an option to return to San Francisco later in the year when the big club needs a fresh arm.