MLB Player News

Webb walked one and struck out three over two scoreless, no-hit innings of relief Friday to record his first save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Manager Craig Counsell elected to stick with what was working after Webb dialed up a perfect eighth inning, and the veteran righty wound up tossing 36 total pitches (23 strikes) to get the job done. The Cubs continue to mix and match in save situations -- Hoby Milner got the save Wednesday in the team's last game -- but Daniel Palencia (lat) is beginning what should be a brief rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Friday, and he's on track to reclaim the closing role next week. Through 14 appearances this season, Webb has a 4.26 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB over 12.2 innings.

Rea (4-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings in a 6-5 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The veteran right-hander needed an inefficient 102 pitches (71 strikes) to record 16 outs, but Rea did enough to snag his fourth win in five turns through the rotation since replacing Cade Horton (elbow). Rea will take a 4.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB through 32.2 innings into his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Reds.

Vargas went 4-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs.

While Arizona wasn't able to take advantage of having Vargas on base every time through the order, it was still another impressive effort from the 34-year-old switch hitter. Vargas has hit safely in 24 straight games to begin the campaign, tied for the second-longest streak within a single season in Diamondbacks history with Tony Womack in 2000, and his overall streak stands at 27 games dating back to the end of last year -- putting him within striking distance of matching or exceeding Luis Gonzalez's club-record streak of 30 games, set in 1999. Vargas is slashing a stunning .404/.429/.702 so far in 2026 with 14 extra-base hits, including six homers to already tie his career high, along with 19 runs and 21 RBI.

Gallen (1-2) took the loss Friday, coughing up six runs on seven hits and three walks over 3.2 innings as the Diamondbacks were downed 6-5 by the Cubs. He struck out three.

Chicago ambushed the right-hander for three runs in the first inning, and another three-spot in the fourth chased Gallen from the game after 95 pitches (57 strikes). The performance ended a stretch of five straight starts in which he'd given up three runs or fewer, and Gallen will take a 4.45 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB through 32.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Pirates.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle relays that Whisenhunt could be called up from Triple-A Sacramento and start in the Giants' series opener against the Padres on Monday.

Whisenhunt was unable to crack the Giants' Opening Day roster after struggling with his command and control during spring training. He hasn't exactly been much better in Triple-A, posting a 4.85 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 26 innings. However, he pitched well in his last start against Salt Lake on Tuesday, when he allowed one run on three hits while striking out eight across six innings without issuing a walk. Whisenhunt appeared in five major-league games for the Giants in 2025 and finished the season 2-1 with a 5.01 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 16:12 K:BB across 23.1 frames.

Vientos is not in the Mets' starting lineup against the Angels on Friday.

Vientos will take a seat for Friday's series opener while Brett Baty draws the start at first base and bats fifth. Vientos has reached base safely in six of his last seven games, and over that span he has gone 6-for-22 (.273) with two RBI and a 4:7 BB:K.

Garcia (back) will begin his rehab assignment with Low-A Bradenton on Friday, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Garcia landed on Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day injured list April 17 due to lower-back tightness, but he has progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment. He has struggled in Triple-A this season, slashing .158/.186/.175 with three RBI and 17 strikeouts across 59 plate appearances.

Merrill is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the White Sox on Friday.

Merrill has struggled at the plate as of late, having gone 4-for-42 (.095) with one steal, two RBI and a 37.5 percent strikeout rate over his last 11 games. He'll take a seat for Friday's series opener while Bryce Johnson gets the start in center field and bats ninth.

Harris (quad) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.

The 25-year-old outfielder is sitting for a second straight game Friday after also missing one contest last week due quadriceps tightness. A trip to the injured list could be in store for Harris if the injury doesn't show improvement soon. Mauricio Dubon is picking up a start in center field Friday, opening up shortstop for Jorge Mateo.

The Mets optioned Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

The 28-year-old was called up from Syracuse on Thursday and will return there a day later with Andy Ibanez joining the active roster. Wagaman didn't see the field during his day in the majors and is now back at Triple-A, where he has a .538 OPS in 74 plate appearances this year.