MLB Player News

The Cubs announced June 10 that Martin (elbow) has resumed playing catch, MLB.com reports.

Back on April 27, Martin was diagnosed with a left elbow flexor strain, an injury that was expected to keep him on the shelf for about eight weeks. Though he was recently able to start throwing again, Martin has yet to advance to facing hitters and looks as though he'll wind up missing more time than originally anticipated. Martin had gotten off to a strong start to the season prior to being shelved, posting a 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 8.1 innings over eight appearances.

Zazueta was promoted to Double-A Tulsa on Sunday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Zazueta will move up a level in the Dodgers' minor-league farm system after producing a 3.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 66 punchouts over 48.2 innings in 11 appearances, including 10 starts, with High-A Great Lakes so far this season. The 21-year-old will look to continue his early-season success against some tougher competition at the Double-A level.

DeLuca went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run home run and three RBI in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Nationals.

After striking out in each of his first two plate appearances, DeLuca doubled in the fifth inning and later delivered the game's biggest hit, launching a two-run homer off Orlando Ribalta in the seventh to give Tampa Bay the eventual winning runs. The outfielder has wasted little time making an impact since returning from the injured list, going 3-for-8 (.375) with two homers and three RBI across his first eight plate appearances back in the lineup. Before the hamstring injury, DeLuca was batting .269 with two homers and 19 RBI across 41 contests.

Cowser went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI during the Orioles' 12-1 win over the Dodgers on Sunday.

Cowser matched a career high in RBI on Sunday in what was also his first three-hit effort of the campaign. The 26-year-old has bounced around Baltimore's outfield in 2026, serving primarily as the Orioles' center fielder. Through 190 trips to the plate, Cowser is slashing a decent .238/.328/.402 with eight homers, three doubles, 27 RBI and two stolen bases.

Abrams went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Rays.

After doubling and coming around to score in the fourth inning, Abrams took Nick Martinez deep in his next plate appearance for his 17th homer of the season. The shortstop extended his home-run streak to three consecutive games. While Abrams is batting just .261 in June, he is slashing .286/.367/.534 with 15 doubles, two triples, 17 homers, 57 RBI, 51 runs scored and 12 stolen bases across 76 games this season.

Ward went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and two additional runs scored during the Orioles' 12-1 win over the Dodgers on Sunday.

Ward connected on his second homer of the month and only his fourth extra-base hit since the beginning of June. The 32-year-old outfielder has been a fixture near the top of Baltimore's batting order all season, appearing in all but one of the club's first 79 games, but he's really struggling for power during his debut year with the Orioles. Through 358 plate appearances, Ward is slashing .255/.393/.355 with four big flies, 17 doubles, 21 RBI and 49 runs scored.

Kelly earned the save Sunday against the Nationals, allowing one hit while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning of the 4-3 win.

With Bryan Baker tossing a scoreless eighth against the heart of Washington's order Sunday, Kelly got the call to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning of the series finale. The right-hander allowed a leadoff single to Daylen Lile, but Lile was caught stealing between strikeouts of the next two batters, helping Kelly secure his third save of the season. The veteran has been reliable lately, posting scoreless appearances in 23 of his last 25 outings. During that stretch, Kelly has recorded a sparkling 1.33 ERA while collecting 13 holds.

Cabrera (hand) is listed as the Cubs' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.

Cabrera's inclusion on the Cubs' pitching schedule for their four-game series in New York indicates that he made it through his bullpen session over the weekend without issue. The 28-year-old was lifted in the fifth inning of his latest start Tuesday versus the Rockies due to right hand cramping, but he was able to make a swift recovery.

Boyd (shoulder/knee) struck out seven and allowed two hits and no walks over four scoreless innings Saturday in a rehab start with High-A South Bend

Boyd covered 59 pitches (40 strikes) in the appearance, his first in the minors in two weeks after he experienced renewed soreness in his left shoulder coming out of a June 6 start with Triple-A Iowa. The southpaw was initially placed on the 15-day injured list May 6 after requiring a meniscectomy for his left knee, but he's since healed up from that procedure and appears to be bouncing back well from the minor setback with his shoulder. Per MLB.com, Boyd will rejoin the Cubs and will throw a bullpen session in New York on Monday, and if all goes well, he could be reinstated from the IL to make his next start with the big club Thursday against the Mets or during its weekend series in Milwaukee.

Martinez did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Nationals, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings.

Martinez threw 57 of his 88 pitches for strikes while recording his fifth quality start in his last seven appearances. The veteran right-hander was hurt by extra-base damage, as three of the four hits he allowed went for extra bases, including a solo homer by CJ Abrams in the sixth inning. Martinez exited in line for the loss before Tampa Bay rallied late to erase the deficit and ultimately secure the victory. The 35-year-old continues to provide steady production and will carry a 2.73 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 55:17 K:BB into his next scheduled start at home against Arizona.