MLB Player News

Faucher (4-4) took the loss Monday against the Rangers, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk in the eighth inning. He failed to strike out a batter.

With the game tied 2-2, Faucher got the call but served up doubles to Brandon Nimmo and Alejandro Osuna, with a free pass to Jake Burger sandwiched in between. It's the first time in June that Faucher came away with runs on his ledger, as he began the month with eight straight scoreless appearances. On the season, the 30-year-old right-hander has a 3.58 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 34:24 K:BB through 32.2 innings with a save and nine holds in 33 games, in addition to his four wins.

Lopez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's loss to the Rangers.

The 27-year-old shortstop swiped his third bag in the last four games and his 16th of the season as he continues to march toward a career-best campaign. Through 19 games in June, Lopez is slashing a sizzling .351/.393/.506 with a homer, six steals, eight RBI and 16 runs, and he leads MLB with a .336 batting average and 103 hits on the year.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Tuesday in a radio appearance that he doesn't expect Steele (elbow) to rejoin the major-league rotation this season, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Steele underwent UCL revision surgery last May and then encountered a setback in late April, when he was diagnosed with a flexor strain. The lefty resumed a throwing program Monday, and while Hoyer didn't rule Steele out as a bullpen option for the Cubs later this season, he's not expected to be a candidate for the rotation in 2026. Instead, Steele will be brought along slowly as the Cubs prepare him to be healthy heading into the 2027 campaign.

The Reds optioned Benson to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

He's clearing off the active roster to make room for the return of Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) from the injured list. Benson logged only 14 plate appearances in June, but he'll be in line to see regular action at Louisville.

The Reds activated De La Cruz (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

De La Cruz has been out for all of June with a right hamstring strain, but he's ready to go after playing three rehab games with Triple-A Louisville. He will return to shortstop for the Reds, pushing Matt McLain back to second base.

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game versus the Phillies, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Poulin is no stranger to opener assignments, as Tuesday will mark his 10th of the season. The southpaw has held lefty bats to a .173/.283/.346 batting line in 2026, so it makes sense to have him face Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper at the top of the Philadelphia lineup before turning the game over to righty Zack Littell, who will work in bulk relief.

Littell will be used in bulk relief Tuesday against the Phillies, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

He's fared better this season as a bulk reliever (3.20 ERA) than traditional starter (6.31 ERA). The right-handed Littell will be preceded Tuesday by left-handed opener PJ Poulin.

Farmer (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Columbus on Tuesday.

Farmer went down a little over a month ago with a right forearm strain but has progressed enough to try things out in a game setting. Interestingly, Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Farmer is "gonna catch a lot" on his rehab assignment, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The 35-year-old Farmer has not seen any action at catcher since 2019, and it's unlikely Atlanta would use him behind the plate on a regular basis even if Drake Baldwin gets hurt.

McLain started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Monday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to Milwaukee.

McLain's started 17 of the last 19 games while operating as the primary fill-in for the injured Elly De La Cruz (hamstring), who is expected to be activated from the injured list Tuesday. De La Cruz's return should put an end to McLain's time as a regular presence in the starting nine. The offensive production he generated during the first week of his residency at shortstop (1.319 OPS over seven games) suggested McLain was moving past a season-opening slump, but he's slipped back since, going 5-for-33 (.152) with a .475 OPS and zero RBI over the last 11 contests.

Santillan (1-4) was the losing pitcher Monday, allowing two runs (one earned) while walking one in a 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

Santillan, who entered a scoreless tie in the 10th inning, gave up runs for the first time in eight outings. Monday's results aside, he appears to have settled in as the Reds fill-in closer until Emilio Pagan (hamstring) returns, which could happen within a week. Pagan threw a second live batting-practice/simulated-game session Monday and is expected to begin a brief rehab assignment Thursday.