MLB Player News

Wood went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Mariners.

The 23-year-old star took Bryce Miller deep in the fourth inning to get the Nationals on the board, but they were already in a 5-0 hole at that point. Wood has homered in back-to-back games, giving him 19 on the year, and over the last 16 contests he's slashing a sizzling .344/.444/.656 with six long balls, four steals, 10 RBI and 18 runs.

Soto went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's win over Atlanta.

The superstar outfielder went back-to-back with Bo Bichette in the first inning off Spencer Strider. Soto has gone yard himself in back-to-back games, and over his last 15 contests he's clubbed five of his 15 long balls on the season while slashing .255/.339/.545 with nine runs and 11 RBI.

Walker struck out one in a scoreless inning during Friday's 5-1 loss to the Cubs.

Walker was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday and immediately made an appearance for San Francisco. The right-hander posted a 6.46 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 15.1 innings before being optioned to Sacramento on May 10, though he was solid in his return to the big leagues. Walker threw 12 of his 16 pitches for strikes and will attempt to build on the performance in hopes of earning more high-leverage opportunities moving forward.

Ritchie gave up two hits and two walks over five scoreless relief innings in Friday's loss to the Mets. He struck out five.

The rookie right-hander finished out the game after Spencer Strider (forearm) was pulled following a leadoff walk to MJ Melendez in the bottom of the fourth inning while showing greatly diminished velocity. Strider has already been placed on the IL and is being sent for an MRI on Saturday, and Ritchie's impressive relief performance over 73 pitches (42 strikes) makes him the logical candidate to move into the rotation. Over 30.2 innings in the majors this season, Ritchie has a 3.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB.

Olson went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Mets.

The first baseman took Cionel Perez deep in the fifth inning, Olson's third homer in the last three games and his 20th of the season -- tying him for fourth in MLB behind Yordan Alvarez (24), Kyle Schwarber (24) and Byron Buxton (21). Through nine games to begin June, Olson is batting .333 (12-for-36) with four home runs, six RBI and nine runs.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Boyd (shoulder/knee) played catch without issue Friday, and the Cubs are hoping that the left-hander can progress "rapidly," MLB.com reports.

After building up his pitch count to 80 in his second rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on June 6 while working his way back from a left knee meniscectomy, Boyd appeared poised to return from the 15-day injured list this weekend. However, after he reported shoulder soreness following a bullpen session Tuesday, the Cubs opted to delay his return. Boyd's ability to resume throwing just a few days later suggests the shoulder issue isn't a major concern, but he'll still need to complete another bullpen session without any discomfort before the Cubs sign off on activating him. The Cubs will next require a fifth starter Wednesday versus the Rockies at Wrigley Field, and Javier Assad would be in line to get the ball that day if Boyd isn't cleared to pitch by then.

The Cubs announced Wednesday that Wiggins (elbow) has resumed throwing bullpen sessions and facing hitters at the organization's complex in Arizona and could soon be ready to pitch in games, MLB.com reports.

One of the Cubs' top pitching prospects, Wiggins made just two starts for Triple-A Iowa this season before landing on the shelf April 15 due to right elbow inflammation. After a prolonged shutdown, Wiggins is ramping back up again and looks like he'll be ready to begin a rehab assignment in the lower levels of the minors in the near future.

Atlanta recalled Molina from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Molina will return to the majors to give Atlanta's bullpen some extra depth as Spencer Strider (elbow) moves to the injured list. Molina pitched two shutout innings during his lone appearance with the big club May 1 but still carries a 6.82 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across his MLB career.

Walker went 1-for-5 with a double and three RBI in Friday's loss to the Twins.

Walker had only one knock in this game but it was a big one, as he broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the seventh with a bases-loaded double that scored JJ Wetherholt, Ivan Herrera and Alec Burleson. Walker has at least one RBI in six of his last seven games, a stretch in which he's hitting .364 with a 1.061 OPS. He's also riding a nine-game hitting streak.

Atlanta placed Strider on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation.

Strider was forced to make an early exit from his start Friday due to arm soreness, and although he's now been confirmed to be dealing with an elbow injury, it remains unknown whether his inflammation is the result of a structural issue. He'll sit out for at least a couple of weeks, and a more accurate return timeline should come out once the team determines the severity of his injury. In the meantime, Anthony Molina will come up from Triple-A Gwinnett to give Atlanta some extra bullpen depth until a fifth starter is needed.