MLB Player News
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Ethan Roberts RP | CHC
Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Promoted for doubleheader
The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa to serve as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader against the Guardians, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
The right-hander failed to make Chicago's Opening Day roster, but he will receive a look in the majors during Sunday's twin bill. Roberts allowed six earned runs with a 6:2 K:BB over 10 big-league appearances last regular season.
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Riley Martin P | CHC
Cubs' Riley Martin: Joins big club
The Cubs recalled Martin from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
The left-hander is taking the roster spot of Cade Horton (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Martin has yet to make his MLB debut but pitched well at Triple-A Iowa last year with a 2.71 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 80:35 K:BB across 63 innings (46 appearances).
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Cade Horton P | CHC
Cubs' Cade Horton: Officially placed on IL
The Cubs placed Horton (forearm) on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right forearm strain, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The right-hander departed Friday's start against Cleveland due to forearm discomfort, and manager Craig Counsell announced after the game that an IL stint would be necessary. Horton has since been diagnosed with a strain, the severity of which is unclear. He'll be eligible to be reinstated April 19, but a longer absence wouldn't be surprising given the nature of the injury. Colin Rea is the likely candidate to step into the Cubs' starting rotation, but Javier Assad should also be in the mix.
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Graham Ashcraft SP | CIN
Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Earns hold Saturday
Ashcraft walked one and struck out one over a scoreless seventh inning to earn a hold in Saturday's 2-0 win over Texas.
Ashcraft recorded his third hold in six appearances while working mostly in the seventh inning of games. He has a 3.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts and three walks over six innings.
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Tony Santillan RP | CIN
Reds' Tony Santillan: Earns third hold
Santillan struck out one over one scoreless inning to earn a hold in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.
Santillan threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning, setting down the top of Texas' order, to earn his third hold of the season. The right-hander's velocity remains noticeably down from 2025, but it hasn't impacted his effectiveness. Santillan's given up one hit and four walks while striking out seven over five scoreless innings. He's been used in the eighth inning in all five of his appearances.
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Javier Assad RP | CHC
Cubs' Javier Assad: Could be needed for MLB rotation
With Cade Horton (forearm) set to land on the injured list, Assad is an option to get promoted from the minors and fill his rotation spot, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Horton departed Friday's contest after only an inning of work due to right forearm discomfort, and he will be examined more fully to determine the extent of the injury. Following a rainout Saturday, the Cubs don't have to worry about Horton's spot in the rotation again until Wednesday. Assad is a candidate to get the call from Triple-A Iowa, though it appears to be more likely that Ben Brown or Colin Rea moves over from the bullpen and into the rotation. Even if Assad isn't needed right away, he could be next in line if any other Chicago pitchers go down.
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Jorge Barrosa CF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jorge Barrosa: Sharing left field
Barrosa started in left field and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Atlanta.
With Jordan Lawlar (wrist) out for the next six-to-eight weeks, Barrosa is likely to share left field with Tim Tawa, who started there Friday. That arrangement should continue until Lourdes Gurriel (knee) is ready to return and play defense. Barrosa has made three starts so far and is 2-for-9 with two doubles and a run scored.
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Riley Martin P | CHC
Cubs' Riley Martin: Expected to be called up
Martin is expected to be called up from Triple-A Iowa to take the roster spot of Cade Horton (forearm), who is set to land on the injured list, Jordan Bastian and Jason Foster of MLB.com report.
After Horton departed Friday's contest with right forearm discomfort, Martin joined the Cubs at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Saturday, but the game was rained out and Chicago didn't have to make any roster moves. The Cubs get a 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader, but Martin may stick around into next week. The lefty reliever has been in the organization since 2021 but has yet to make his MLB debut. He would likely fill a middle relief role, with one of Ben Brown or Colin Rea expected to move from the bullpen into the rotation with Horton out.
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Adrian Del Castillo C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Adrian Del Castillo: Makes season debut
Del Castillo served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 2-1 win over Atlanta.
Del Castillo made his season debut after the Diamondbacks activated him off the IL on Friday. He batted fifth in the order, which could provide RBI opportunities if he sticks in that spot when he's in the lineup. Del Castillo is expected to get regular turns at DH against right-handers, as was the case Saturday, until Pavin Smith (elbow) is healthy.
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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Decision coming Sunday
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that a decision whether to activate Kelly (back) when eligible will be announced Sunday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. The right-hander can be activated April 8.
Kelly is fresh off a 72-pitch outing at Triple-Reno on Friday and responded well the following day. His activation would force an adjustment to the existing five-man rotation. The Diamondbacks could move a current starter with relief experience to the bullpen -- Michael Soroka or Ryne Nelson -- or option Brandon Pfaadt to the minors.