MLB Player News

Boyd (knee) has completed his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa and is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of the Cubs' three-game series in San Francisco next weekend, Matt Carlson of the Associated Press reports.

Boyd made his second and final start with Iowa on Saturday, yielding five earned runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and one walk while striking out five over five innings. Though Boyd's command was a bit off during the start, more important was the fact that he was able to build up to 83 pitches while steering clear of any setbacks with his left knee. The southpaw has been limited to just five starts with the Cubs this season while having missed three weeks in April due to a biceps strain and another four weeks due to the meniscectomy he required May 7, but his impending return from the shelf comes at an especially convenient time with Jameson Taillon set to go on the IL after straining his hamstring Sunday. Boyd should slide right into Taillon's spot in the rotation when it comes up again Friday or Saturday.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Giants that Taillon (hamstring) will be headed to the 15-day injured list, Marquee Sports Network reports.

Taillon was charged with an earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters over one inning before he was forced out of his start Sunday in the top of the second due to a left hamstring strain. Counsell noted that the severity of the injury until Taillon receives imaging Monday, but the Cubs have already determined that the hamstring strain will keep the right-hander out of commission for at least the next two weeks. Javier Assad tossed 6.1 shutout innings in long relief following Taillon's departure Sunday, but Assad could end up sticking in the bullpen if Matthew Boyd (knee) is cleared to return from the 15-day IL by the time Taillon's turn in the rotation comes up next weekend in San Francisco.

Andujar was removed from Sunday's contest versus the Mets in the seventh inning due to a hamstring injury, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Andujar reached on an infield single in the bottom of the seventh frame and was removed for pinch runner Bryce Johnson. After the game, manager Craig Stammen said Andujar "tweaked his hammy a little bit" and characterized the slugger's removal as precautionary. Stammen said the team will evaluate Andujar moving forward, but it's not yet clear if he's slated to miss any time.

Ward went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday in a loss to the Angels.

Dalton Rushing swatted a three-run homer in the sixth inning to bring the Dodgers to within two runs, and Ward followed with a solo shot to move his team even closer. However, the Angels scored the final seven runs of the game to turn the outcome into a blowout. Still, Ward extended his recent run of good form -- he's notched an extra-base hit and at least one RBI in each of his past three games. He's not quite an everyday player in the absence of Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring), but given that he's started in left field each of the past three times Los Angeles has faced a right-handed starter, Ward appears to be set for pretty steady playing time for as long as Hernandez remains out of action.

Hill (3-2) earned the win over the Red Sox on Sunday with a perfect inning of work.

Hill entered in the eighth inning with the game tied 1-1. He retired the side in order on 11 pitches, then watched New York's offense put up five runs in the bottom of the frame to move him into position for the victory. Hill had been struggling badly coming into Sunday, allowing six runs over 2.2 innings across his past three appearances. He'll look to use Sunday's clean frame as a catalyst for a turnaround.

Grisham went 3-for-4 with a double, a run, an RBI and a stolen base against Boston in a 6-1 win Sunday.

Grisham paced the Yankees with his three hits, including a run-scoring single in the eighth inning. The veteran outfielder extended his on-base streak to 10 games, during which he's batting .350 (14-for-40) with two homers, eight runs, six RBI and two thefts. Grisham was batting a paltry .151 through 30 contests at the end of the April, but he's hit a solid .281 over 32 games since to lift his season slash line to .222/.335/.401.

Bellinger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday in a 6-1 victory against the Red Sox.

Bellinger broke a 1-1 tie with a solo shot in the eighth inning. The Yankees went on to score five more times in the frame to turn a pitchers' duel into a runaway win. The long ball was Bellinger's first extra-base hit since May 26, but he's still been reaching base consistently, collecting three multi-hit performances over his past six contests. Overall, he's slashing .273/.373/.476 with nine homers, 41 RBI, 38 runs and seven stolen bases across 64 contests on the campaign.

Chisholm went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in a 6-1 victory against Boston on Sunday.

Chisholm struck out in each of his first three plate appearances, but he made the most of the lone time he put the ball in play, smacking a three-run homer to right-center field in the eighth inning to turn a two-run lead into a five-run advantage. The veteran infielder didn't go deep until his 24th game of the campaign, but he's picked up the power pace since then, notching eight long balls across 38 contests since April 23. However, his season OPS still stands at a modest .703, which is well below his .813 mark during the regular season last year.

Smith picked up the save Sunday against the Cubs. He struck out one over a perfect inning.

Smith shut the door in Sunday's low-scoring affair, retiring the side in order in the 10th inning to secure his first career save and a Giants victory. The right-hander's save opportunity came about with Caleb Kilian, Erik Miller and Keaton Winn already having been deployed in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Smith likely won't see save chances regularly, though the 26-year-old could work his way into more high-leverage opportunities if he continues to pitch well.

Assad allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 2-1 loss to San Francisco.

With Jameson Taillon (hamstring) exiting with no outs in the second inning, Assad was called upon to eat innings and did so brilliantly. His five strikeouts marked a season high, and the right-hander now owns a 4.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 32.1 innings over nine appearances (three starts). If Taillon requires a stint on the injured list, Assad is a logical candidate to step into the rotation.