MLB Player News

Yesavage was removed from Tuesday's game against the Astros due to left knee discomfort, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Yesavage pitched two shutout innings while allowing just one batter to reach base via a walk, but he injured his knee while warming up for the third inning and was taken out of the game following a visit from a trainer. It's unknown whether the 23-year-old is at risk of missing his next start -- tentatively lined up for Monday against Boston -- but the Blue Jays should provide an update on his health in the near future.

Harvey (triceps/shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday at the Cubs' facility in Arizona, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Harvey has been out nearly all season while recovering from a stress reaction near his right triceps and shoulder, making just four appearances for the Cubs before hitting the injured list April 12. He appears likely to remain in Arizona for at least another week or two to build up the volume and intensity of his throwing before the Cubs map out a minor-league rehab assignment for him. Once he eventually returns from the 60-day IL, Harvey could be ticketed for a middle-relief role.

Palencia (elbow) is slated to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday at Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After completing bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions without issue over the past couple of weeks, Palencia has been cleared to advance to the final step in the rehab program for his mild right flexor strain, which has kept him on the shelf since June 16. Palencia has endured a tough-luck 2026 campaign, as he also missed time earlier in the season due to a lat strain and has received just three save chances -- converting them all -- in 19 appearances, despite seemingly being locked in as the Cubs' closer. Palencia still looks like a good bet to step back in as the Cubs' closer once he returns from the injured list, though he may need to pitch well during his rehab assignment in order for manager Craig Counsell to formally appoint him for that role.

Cabrera (hamstring) is slated to make the second start of his rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Cabrera kicked off his rehab assignment at Iowa last Friday, tossing 43 pitches and striking out three over 1.2 innings while surrendering three earned runs on two hits and two walks. The right-hander, who has been shelved since June 24 due to a left hamstring strain, is expected to need around three total rehab starts before he'll be viewed as a viable option for the Chicago rotation. With the Cubs shoring up their rotation with the trade-deadline additions of Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes (fibula), Cabrera may need to show improvement in his next two rehab outings to ensure he'll have a starting role waiting for him once he returns from the injured list. Cabrera had struggled over his first 14 starts of the season with Chicago, serving up 14 home runs in 72.1 innings while pitching to a 5.10 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.

The Cubs released Blach on Saturday.

Blach was briefly up in the big leagues with the Cubs in May, tossing three scoreless innings of relief in an appearance against the Brewers before being designated for assignment the next day. He ultimately cleared waivers and elected free agency before re-signing with the Cubs on a minor-league deal a few days later. During his time at Triple-A Iowa this season, Blach posted a 6.36 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 58 innings in 15 appearances (nine starts).

Pivetta (forearm) exited Tuesday's rehab start with Single-A Lake Elsinore due to elbow tightness, but he threw in the bullpen after leaving the outing and felt fine, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Pivetta abruptly left the mound in the middle of an at-bat in the fourth inning. Despite that departure, Pivetta went to the bullpen and threw 30 more pitches without issue, according to Nightengale. It sounds like the right-hander has avoided a significant setback in his return from a forearm strain, but the Padres could take another look at Pivetta's arm before he makes his next rehab start.

The Cubs designated Little for assignment Monday.

Little ended up being an odd man out for a spot on the 40-man roster after the Cubs brought Braxton Garrett, Tyrone Taylor, Clay Holmes (fibula) and Ryan Zeferjahn aboard in trades Monday. The 25-year-old lefty was up in the big leagues with the Cubs for a week in April but has otherwise spent the entire season in the minors, logging a 5.03 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 39.1 innings between Triple-A Iowa and Double-A Knoxville.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Rea will have his turn in the rotation skipped this week, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Rea had been a model of consistency of late for the Cubs, covering between five and six innings in each of his last eight starts while submitting a 3.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB in 43.2 innings. Despite his solid numbers, Rea will at least temporarily find himself as the odd man out of the rotation while the Cubs clear room for Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes (fibula), both of whom were acquired leading up to Monday's trade deadline. Even if the Cubs elect to expand the rotation to six on a more permanent basis, Rea could still face competition for a spot from Javier Assad, who will start Tuesday's game versus the Dodgers. Edward Cabrera (hamstring) is also in the midst of a rehab assignment and could factor into the Cubs' rotation plans once he's activated from the 15-day injured list.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Gausman is in line to make his first start with the Cubs this weekend in Kansas City, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The Cubs will at least temporarily move Colin Rea to the bullpen to clear room in the rotation for Gausman and Clay Holmes (fibula), who were both acquired within the final two days leading up to Monday's trade deadline. Based on the Cubs' current alignment, Gausman appears likely to start Friday's series opener, while Holmes is expected to get the ball Saturday. Gausman went 5-10 and pitched to a 4.38 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 127.1 innings in 23 starts with Toronto this season, but most of his underlying metrics (3.85 SIERA, 3.95 xERA, 3.51 FIP) paint a rosier picture of his performance.

Arrighetti (foot) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Arrighetti landed on the injured list July 25 due to nerve irritation in his right foot, but he's made encouraging progress in his recovery and even said he'd be willing to pitch in Toronto's current series against the Astros -- his former team -- if needed. He won't be eligible to return from the IL until Sunday, however, and the Blue Jays will likely hold off on having him make his team debut until around mid-August.