MLB Player News

Santana (2-2) was charged with the loss and a blown save Monday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Brought on to protect a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning, Santana served up a pair of home runs Monday en route to coughing up a season-high four runs. The right-hander has converted just two of his four save chances so far, but he still has a quality 3.29 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 13.2 innings in spite of Monday's meltdown. That said, the door is open for Gregory Soto to claim more ninth-inning work in Pittsburgh's closer committee.

Harber (hamstring) was activated from the 7-day injured list Friday.

Harber suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain in mid-March and was expected to need 4-to-6 weeks to recover. He's looked sharp at the dish in three games since returning to action, going 5-for-14 with one double, one RBI and two runs scored at Triple-A Sacramento.

Dotel took a no-decision Monday against the Cardinals, throwing four clean innings of relief. He struck out three.

The absence of Braxton Garrett (personal) forced the Pirates into a bullpen game Monday, and Dotel filled in admirably as a bulk reliever. The right-hander flooded the zone for 32 strikes among his 44 pitches, picking up his first hold of the year in the process. Through 6.1 frames in 2026, Dotel sports a 1.35 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB.

May took a no-decision Monday against the Pirates, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out two.

Just one of the hits allowed went for extra bases, as May continued to put his awful start to the season in the rear-view mirror. Although the right-hander gave up 13 runs over his first 7.1 frames, he's pitched at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts en route to producing a 1.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB during that stretch. May still has a 5.28 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB over 30.2 frames for the season, and a tall task against the Dodgers awaits him in his next scheduled outing.

Martin has been diagnosed with flexor strain in his left elbow and is expected to miss eight weeks, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Martin was placed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend due to left elbow inflammation, but it's since been reported that he'll need more than the minimum to return to full strength. The Cubs are weathering quite the injury storm in the bullpen, as Daniel Palencia (lat), Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) are also on the shelf.

Ohtani, who is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Marlins on the mound, could be held back from hitting, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts stated that the team intends to give Ohtani a break given the fact that the two-way player is pitching on five days of rest instead of his usual six days. The Dodgers also have an early start time Wednesday, making it all the more likely that Ohtani is restricted to pitching only Tuesday. Expect more clarification from the team on the 31-year-old's usage closer to Tuesday's first pitch.

Pauley is not in the Marlins' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Monday.

Pauley will take a seat for Monday's series opener while Javier Sanoja mans the hot corner and bats eighth. Pauley has gone 5-for-10 with one home run and four RBI during his current four-game hitting streak.

Cruz was scratched from the Pirates' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Monday due to an illness.

Cruz evidently fell ill prior to Monday's game, which prompted the Pirates to replace him with Jake Mangum in center field and shift Spencer Horwitz to the leadoff spot in the batting order. Cruz will continue to receive treatment in the hopes of being cleared to return for Tuesday's contest against St. Louis.

Ballesteros will start at catcher and bat sixth in Monday's game versus the Padres.

It's the first start and second appearance at catcher this season for Ballesteros, who is slashing .397/.446/.690 with four home runs as the Cubs' primary designated hitter. Most of Ballesteros' playing time is likely to continue to come at DH, but it would be a major boost to his fantasy prospects if he catches enough to gain eligibility at the position.

Mangum is starting in center field and batting eighth against the Cardinals on Monday.

Mangum was initially slated to open Monday's series opener on the bench, but he will get the start in center field instead after the Pirates scratched Oneil Cruz (undisclosed) from the lineup. Mangum is slashing .254/.313/.288 with three steals and two RBI over 65 plate appearances this season.