MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Brown to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

He's being sent down to make room on the active roster for the return of Michael Soroka (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list. Brown has made 15 starts and 10 relief appearances for the Cubs this season, posting a 5.92 ERA and 121:32 K:BB over 106.1 frames.

The Nationals announced Monday that Ruiz (concussion) will continue to participate in baseball activities this week, though it's unclear if he'll return from the 7-day injured list before the end of the season, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

The organization will likely wait and see how Ruiz fares in his workouts over the next few days before deciding on his next steps. Ruiz is the midst of his second stint on the injured list due to concussions and was pulled off a rehab assignment earlier this month after experiencing renewed symptoms.

The Cubs activated Soroka (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Soroka has been sidelined since early August with a right shoulder strain but has been cleared to return after making one 2.1-inning rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa this past Thursday. All 17 of Soroka's appearances this season have come as a starter, but he appears slated for a relief role with the Cubs in the final two weeks of the campaign. Soroka excelled in a bullpen role last season with the White Sox, posting a 2.75 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 36 frames.

Gray (elbow) is scheduled to throw approximately three innings and 45 pitches in his next rehab start Friday with Triple-A Rochester, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Gray has already made two rehab starts as he works his way back from his July 2024 Tommy John surgery, which involved the insertion of an internal brace. After covering 1.2 innings and tossing 34 pitches in his most recent outing with Double-A Harrisburg this past Saturday, Gray will increase his workload as he moves on to Rochester for what will be his final rehab start with the minor-league season coming to a close this weekend. Assuming he makes it out of Friday's outing no worse for the wear, Gray could be reinstated from the 60-day injured list for the final week of the season, though he would likely be in line for just one abbreviated start or multi-inning relief appearance with Washington.

Benson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

After making starts at three different outfield spots and going 3-for-8 with two home runs, one triple, one walk and four RBI during the Reds' weekend series in Sacramento, the left-handed-hitting Benson will hit the bench while St. Louis sends southpaw Matthew Liberatore to the hill. Despite his big weekend, Benson is still likely to be more of a part-time presence in the lineup versus right-handed pitching while all of Austin Hays, Gavin Lux, TJ Friedl and Noelvi Marte are available.

Lux is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

With a left-hander (Matthew Liberatore) on the hill for St. Louis, the left-handed-hitting Lux will head to the bench after he had started in each of the Reds' previous eight games. Miguel Andujar will serve as Cincinnati's designated hitter in Lux's stead.

Hayes is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

After going 0-for-7 with a walk over the final two contests of the Reds' weekend series in Sacramento, Hayes will get a chance to catch his breath as Cincinnati kicks off a three-game set in St. Louis. Sal Stewart will step in for Hayes at third base and will bat fifth.

Susana underwent surgery last week to repair a right lat tear, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Susana suffered the injury while pitching for Double-A Harrisburg in late August, and the determination was made last week that surgery was the best course of action. It's unclear how long the 21-year-old's rehab will take, but he could be limited at the start of spring training. Susana posted a 3.51 ERA and 95:34 K:BB over 56.1 innings covering 14 starts between High-A Wilmington and Harrisburg in 2025.

The Pirates optioned Bae to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

He's being sent back down to accommodate the return of Jack Suwinski (groin) from the injured list. The left-handed-hitting Bae had started four of the last five games against righties, but he's just 1-for-20 at the dish during his time with the Pirates this season.

The Pirates activated Suwinski (groin) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Suwinski has been shelved since late August with a groin strain but is ready to roll after going 3-for-9 with a pair of home runs in three rehab contests with Triple-A Indianapolis. The 27-year-old had been seeing regular starts in the outfield against right-handed pitching pitching before he got hurt, but Suwinski would appear in line for a reserve role in the final two weeks of the season.