MLB Player News

The Cubs selected Wantz's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Wantz will provide the Chicago bullpen with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple frames after the Cubs needed three relievers to handle the final four innings of Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Pirates. The 30-year-old righty made one appearance in the big leagues with the Rays earlier in 2026 but has otherwise spent the entire season at the Triple-A level, where he's produced a 5.63 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 49:26 K:BB over 48 innings.

Barger is expected to be sidelined six months following surgery Monday to repair his right elbow UCL, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The good news is Barger did not require a full Tommy John repair, which means he is expected to be ready in time for the start of spring training as long as his rehab proceeds smoothly. Barger played only nine games for the Blue Jays this season due to injuries.

Martinez is not in the lineup for Monday's contest in Cincinnati.

Martinez started in right field each of the last three days upon his return from the injured list, but he'll grab a seat in Monday's series opener. Chase DeLauter is handling right field Monday, Jose Ramirez will be the designated hitter and Gabriel Arias will play third base while Martinez gets a breather.

Petersen is still dealing with soreness in his right forearm after being struck by a comebacker during his relief appearance in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Padres, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Petersen avoided any structural damage to his forearm but the resulting bruise is still presenting some discomfort for the right-hander. The Marlins are treating him as day-to-day and could look to stay away from him in the first game or two of their series with the Phillies this week.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.

Though Ruiz had been included in the lineup for three of the Marlins' previous four matchups versus right-handed pitching, he'll be on the bench Monday against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler. Jakob Marsee will draw the starting nod in center field but has produced a .406 OPS during the Marlins' ongoing 12-game losing streak and could see his playing time take a hit if manager Clayton McCullough wants to open up more opportunities for Ruiz, who has submitted an .854 OPS over the same stretch of action.

Del Castillo will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Pirates.

Del Castillo will be included in the lineup for a fourth straight matchup with a right-handed starter or primary pitcher, after going 4-for-11 with a double, a stolen base, three runs and an RBI over his prior three starts. The 26-year-old will need to produce well at the plate in order to continue receiving steady at-bats versus righties, but he'll have a path to playing time while Arizona has three key hitters (Lourdes Gurriel, Jordan Lawlar and Tommy Troy) on the shelf.

Tawa is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Tawa will hit the bench for the series opener after he had been included in the lineup in each of Arizona's previous seven games. During that stretch, Tawa made starts at first base, third base and in center field while going 8-for-28 (.286 average) with two doubles, one walk, four RBI and three runs. Tawa should have a fairly clear path to an everyday role while the Diamondbacks contend with the absences of Lourdes Gurriel (adductor), Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) and Tommy Troy (shoulder).

Arenado is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

The Diamondbacks will send Arenado to the bench for the second time in four games, after he went 0-for-10 with three walks during the team's weekend series in Washington. Ildemaro Vargas will check in for Arenado at third base and will bat eighth.

Caissie (calf) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Caissie is scheduled to play three games with Jacksonville before being re-evaluated, so he would appear to have a shot at returning from the 10-day injured list as soon as this weekend. Before being deactivated July 9 due to a right calf strain, Caissie had cobbled together a .239/.297/.459 slash line with 12 home runs, four stolen bases, 50 RBI and 30 runs over 80 games with Miami.

Church is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Cubs.

It marks the fourth straight time that the left-handed-hitting Church has been absent from the lineup versus a southpaw (in this case, David Peterson). Jose Fermin will patrol center field for the Cardinals in Monday's series opener.