MLB Player News

Paddack did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings against the Dodgers. He struck out one.

Paddack limited the damage after allowing two runs in the first inning but recorded just one strikeout and was pulled after four innings and 67 pitches. The right-hander has struggled in his first season with the Marlins, posting an 0-4 record with a 6.11 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 28 innings (six appearances). His 26:7 K:BB is solid, but the results haven't followed, and Paddack will look to earn his first win of the campaign in his next start, tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Phillies.

Ballesteros went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Monday's 9-7 loss against the Padres.

Ballesteros, making his second appearance of the season at catcher Monday, put the Cubs back in the game with a grand slam in the fourth inning to give his club the lead, though it wouldn't hold in a high-scoring loss. It has been a monster start to 2026 for the 22-year-old, who's slashing .387/.435/.710 with five homers, five doubles, 16 RBI and 12 runs across 25 games. Chicago has maximized his opportunities against right-handed pitching, with 57 of Ballesteros' 62 at-bats coming against righties.

Castellanos went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Monday's win over the Cubs.

Castellanos delivered a key two-RBI single in the fifth inning to give the Padres a lead they wouldn't relinquish. It was a much-needed hit for the veteran, who hadn't recorded a hit since April 12 and has seen his playing time dwindle. Across 55 plate appearances in 2026, Castellanos is slashing .154/.200/.212 with three doubles, seven RBI and one run scored.

France went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, four RBI, a run scored, a stolen base and a walk in Monday's win over the Cubs.

France led the Padres' offense, ripping a two-RBI double in the first inning before adding a two-RBI triple in the seventh. The 31-year-old hasn't been a regular in the lineup but has been effective when called upon in 2026, slashing .297/.350/.649 with three homers, two doubles, a triple, seven RBI, seven runs and a stolen base across 40 plate appearances. His continued production should lead to increased playing time, especially if Manny Machado, who exited Monday's contest early with an undisclosed injury, is forced to miss time.

Miller allowed two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out one over one inning in Monday's 9-7 win over the Cubs.

Miller's outing, a non-save situation, got off to an unfortunate start when a Matt Shaw dribbler down the third-base line was ruled fair before the Cubs strung together two more hits and scored two runs, though Miller was able to limit the damage and secure the win. The appearance snapped the hard-throwing right-hander's streak of 34.2 scoreless innings, which dated back to last season and set a franchise record. The 27-year-old's numbers in 2026 remain dominant, as he owns a 1.26 ERA and 0.56 WHIP with a 28:2 K:BB and 10 saves across 14.1 innings.

Boyd did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over four-plus innings against the Padres. He struck out four.

Boyd struggled from the outset, as a leadoff walk to Ramon Laureano spiraled into a three-run first inning, though the damage could have been worse with two runners left in scoring position. It has been a rocky start to 2026 for Boyd, who dealt with a left biceps strain earlier in April and has been largely ineffective when on the mound, posting a 1-1 record with a 7.00 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 18 innings (four starts). The southpaw is tentatively scheduled to start Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Vasquez (3-0) earned the win Monday, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out four.

Vasquez ran into major trouble in the third inning, allowing a grand slam to Moises Ballesteros, but the right-hander was able to complete five innings to provide length and earn his third win of the season. The 27-year-old has mostly been sharp to begin 2026, posting a 2.94 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with a 34:11 K:BB across 33.2 innings (six starts), though he has allowed four or more runs in two of his past three outings. Vasquez's next start is projected for Sunday against the White Sox.

Ohtani will start Tuesday's game against the Marlins on the mound but won't bat, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

This scenario was rumored to be a possibility prior to Monday's win over Miami, and skipper Dave Roberts confirmed in his postgame presser that Ohtani will be limited to pitching the second game of the series in an effort give him a bit of a break. The two-way player figures to be back in the starting nine in the DH spot for Wednesday afternoon's series finale.

Fairbanks left Monday's game against the Dodgers with a right thumb injury, Fish on First reports.

Manager Clayton McCullough described Fairbanks' injury as an "unusual sensation" in the right-hander's thumb, resulting in his removal from the matchup. McCullough also noted that Fairbanks will be evaluated further, at which point another update should surface. Anthony Bender could be asked to handle save opportunities until Fairbanks is cleared to return.

The Cubs outrighted Kingery to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Kingery was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday, and he'll wind up sticking around in the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. After winning a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster coming out of spring training, Kingery logged just four plate appearances over the first month of the season.