MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Assad has allowed 10 earned runs over 17.2 major-league innings (one start, four relief appearances) this year for a 5.09 ERA. He'll presumably join the rotation at Iowa.

Hughes (knee) was activated Friday from the 15-day injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

After recovering from another bout of left knee inflammation, Hughes will return to the Cubs' bullpen Friday night against the Twins. He's been limited to five appearances this year.

Suero was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers on Thursday.

Suero posted a 5.79 ERA across three relief appearances with the big club in his first major-league stint since 2021. He'll head back to OKC and hope to earn another call.

Brebbia will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Brebbia has served as an opener once previously this season, and he worked 1.1 innings in that appearance. Alex Wood (hamstring) or Ross Stripling are the likely options to follow Brebbia in a bulk role.

Herget earned a save over the Mets on Thursday, hurling three scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and struck out four batters.

Cincinnati used four pitchers in what amounted to a bullpen game Thursday, with each of those tossing over one inning and holding New York scoreless. Herget entered in the seventh and closed things out, throwing 44 pitches over three scoreless frames to pick up his first career save. The right-hander has pitched well for the Reds this season with just two earned runs allowed over 10.2 frames, but it's unlikely that he'll see many more save opportunities with Alexis Diaz firmly entrenched as the team's closer.

Uribe was placed on the 7-day injured list Thursday at Double-A Biloxi due to right knee soreness, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It's not considered a serious injury, but the Brewers will play things cautiously with one of their top relief prospects. Uribe, 22, has registered a 1.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts through nine innings this season out of Biloxi's bullpen.

Borucki signed a minor-league contract Tuesday with the Pirates.

Borucki elected to become a free agent after getting pushed off the Cubs' 40-man roster earlier this month. He did not get into a major-league game during his short time with Chicago and will presumably be stationed at the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis. The 29-year-old lefty reliever struggled to a 5.68 ERA in 25.1 big-league innings last season between Toronto and Seattle.

Soto is expected to split closing duties with Craig Kimbrel after Jose Alvarado (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The lefty-throwing Alvarado has been Philadelphia's top reliever and primary closing option this season with five saves, but he's now sidelined by elbow inflammation. Kimbrel has three saves but has struggled at times with a 7.62 ERA in 15 outings, which could allow Soto -- who tallied 30 saves for Detroit in 2022 -- to take a larger share of the closer role.

Hand (2-1) earned the win in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Pittsburgh, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings.

Hand got the Rockies out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the seventh inning, inducing a double play off the bat of Rodolfo Castro. The lefty then set the Pirates down in order in the eighth after the Rockies took the lead in the top half of the frame. The 33-year-old has pitched well of late, posting three consecutive scoreless appearances. His ERA is down to 3.14 with a 1.26 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 14.1 innings. Hand is still behind Pierce Johnson and Daniel Bard in the closer pecking order, though he's continued to pitch in high-leverage situations for Colorado.

Puk gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

The southpaw helped make history by locking down the victory, as the Marlins are now 12-0 in one-run games to begin the season -- the longest winning streak in games decided by one run in modern baseball history. Puk has been scored upon in only three of 15 appearances this season, and he's emerged as a solid closing option for Miami with a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings.