MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Assad owns a 5.88 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 26 innings in the big leagues this season, and he hasn't been much better since being sent down to Iowa on May 17 (6.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). Despite his recent struggles, he'll rejoin the Cubs to provide a fresh arm capable of going multiple innings out of the bullpen. Ethan Roberts was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and an RBI in Friday's win over the Padres.

The 28-year-old infielder is locking in at the plate. Bichette has six hits in the last two games, and over his last 18 contests he's slashing .282/.333/.465 with two doubles, a triple, three homers, 10 runs and 14 RBI.

Phillips didn't factor into the decision in Friday's loss to the Rays, giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 relief innings, He struck out three.

The right-hander worked in tandem with Ryan Gusto, who got the start and took the loss after coughing up three runs of his own in just two innings. Phillips wound up tossing 82 pitches (50 strikes) to help save the rest of the bullpen, and he even took a comebacker off the foot from Yandy Diaz in the fifth inning but was able to stay in the game. The Marlins' injury-depleted staff can ill afford to lose another arm, and assuming the foot isn't an issue, Phillips should get another turn as a starter or bulk reliever during next week's home series against the Diamondbacks. Over 18 appearances (two starts) this season, he carries a 2.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 36:22 K:BB in 43.1 innings.

Arroyo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

Arroyo will take a seat Saturday after going 2-for-10 with two walks and six strikeouts across his first four games as an MLB player. Spencer Steer will start at second base in Arroyo's stead, and Noelvi Marte will enter the starting nine as Cincinnati's right fielder.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Stephenson broke an 0-for-12 stretch at the plate by hitting a single in Friday's loss, and he'll now retreat to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. P.J. Higgins will fill in at catcher and bat ninth.

Crawford (hand) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Detroit.

Crawford will receive a day off to recover after getting hit on the hand by a pitch during Friday's series opener. Colt Emerson will move over to shortstop to cover for Crawford, giving Patrick Wisdom a start at third base.

Springer went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Friday's loss to the Orioles.

The veteran slugger held a paltry .186 batting average on May 16, but since then Springer has begun to find a groove. Over his last 16 games, he's slashing .258/.319/.470 with five doubles, three homers, two steals, six RBI and eight runs while still consistently hitting leadoff for the Blue Jays.

Scherzer (forearm) gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over 3.2 innings for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. He struck out five.

While the results weren't great, the 41-year-old right-hander topped out at 95.7 mph with his fastball while throwing 73 pitches (44 strikes), per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Scherzer has dealt with a litany of healthy issues in the early part of the season, including right forearm tightness, but he's closing in on returning to the Blue Jays' rotation for the first time April 24. It's not yet clear whether the organization will activate him from the IL next week for a home series against the Phillies, or have Scherzer make one more rehab start.

The Twins recalled Lewis from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com reports.

Lewis was sent down to Triple-A in mid-May but has officially earned a spot back on the major-league roster after slashing .340/.417/.868 with eight home runs, 19 RBI and 12 runs scored in 13 games with the Saints. It's unclear whether he'll reclaim the primary third baseman job from Brooks Lee now that he's back with the Twins, but Tristan Gray seems likely to be the player most affected by Lewis' return. James Outman was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

McKenzie allowed just one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings in his debut for Single-A Augusta on Friday. He struck out eight.

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft who got a well-above-slot $3 million signing bonus to buy him out of a commitment to LSU, McKenzie made only three starts in the Florida Complex League this season to begin his pro career before earning a promotion, delivering a 0.79 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 11.1 innings in the FCL. The 19-year-old lefty sports a mid-90s fastball, a promising changeup and a curveball that's already flashing plus, and his frame and portside delivery have drawn early comparisons to Rangers southpaw MacKenzie Gore.