MLB Player News

The Cubs designated Nittoli for assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Nittoli signed a major-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday, but he's now been DFA'd twice within the past week. He did not appear in a game during his 24-hour stint with Chicago. Nittoli elected free agency after being pushed off the Athletics' 40-man roster last week, though it's unclear if he intends to do so again. His departure clears room on the Cubs' active roster for Jorge Lopez, who was selected from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Almonte (shoulder) will get a second opinion next week, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Almonte sustained a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain and is still considering options for how to proceed. The 30-year-old was transferred to the 60-day IL on Thursday and can be considered out indefinitely.

Merryweather (ribs) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Merryweather will incorporate an up-and-down into the session to replicate a half inning. The 32-year-old is still rehabbing in Arizona, but he's been throwing off a mound for nearly two weeks and should be relatively close to beginning a rehab assignment. Merryweather isn't expected to be reinstated from the IL until after the All-Star break.

The Cubs placed Thompson on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right rib fracture, retroactive to Thursday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Thompson has fired 5.1 scoreless innings since returning from Triple-A Iowa on June 16, but he'll now be sidelined for at least the next two weeks as a result of his injury. Ethan Roberts will come up from the minors to fill the vacancy in Chicago's bullpen.

The Diamondbacks recalled Castellanos from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

It'll be the second stint in the majors for Castellanos this season after his contract was selected by Arizona on June 6. The 28-year-old right-hander made one appearance for the big club June 7 against the Padres and was optioned back to the minors the next day. Castellanos has started 11 games for Triple-A Reno this season, but he will likely serve out of Arizona's bullpen with right-hander Scott McGough being optioned to Reno in a corresponding move and ace Zac Gallen (hamstring) set to return from the injured list Saturday.

The Diamondbacks optioned McGough to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Since being called up to Arizona on June 8, McGough has posted an 8.18 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 11 innings while striking out 10 batters and walking eight. He'll now head back to Triple-A following his poor performance, and Humberto Castellanos will rejoin the D-backs' bullpen as McGough's replacement.

Perez (groin) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and will start Friday's game against Atlanta.

Perez has been shelved since May 28 due to a strained left groin, and after making one rehab start he'll rejoin the big-league club. In his lone minor-league appearance, the southpaw threw 63 pitches, so he'll likely be on a pitch count Friday. Prior to the injury, Perez owned a 4.71 ERA across 57.1 innings with Pittsburgh.

Harris (hamstring) has not yet been cleared to begin a running program, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Harris is two weeks removed from suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, and while he's feeling better, it's not yet to the point where he's able to do any running. With just over two weeks until the All-Star break, it's possible Atlanta will hold Harris out until the start of the second half. Jarred Kelenic has been handling center field with Harris out.

Minter (hip) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Sunday's appearance could be Minter's last before being activated from the 15-day injured list. While he's allowed two runs (one earned) across two minor-league innings, he's only surrendered one hit. Prior to being placed on the IL, Minter turned in a 2.95 ERA and a 23:6 K:BB across 21.1 innings with Atlanta.

Laureano isn't in Atlanta's lineup Friday's game against Pittsburgh due to back soreness, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Laureano was absent from the starting lineup for a second straight game, and it's now known why. However, there's optimism Laureano could return Saturday. Adam Duvall is starting in right field Friday.