MLB Player News

Assad did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

Assad has been pitching well since filling in for Marcus Stroman (ribs) in Chicago's rotation, working to a 2.45 ERA in his last three starts (18.1 innings). Overall, the 26-year-old Assad is 2-2 with a 3.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 53:30 K:BB across 72 innings this season. He's currently lined up to make his next start on the road against the Pirates.

Leiter allowed a run on two hits but managed to secure the save in Monday's 7-6 win over the Tigers. He struck out one.

Regular closer Adbert Alzolay pitched each of the last two days, so the Cubs bypassed him for the save opportunity and turned to Leiter. It was the latter's fourth save of the season, though it was his first since June 2, as Alzolay has established himself in the role. Leiter should still serve as a reliable setup option moving forward.

Weathers was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

The Marlins listed Weathers as the starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Padres, and he will indeed toe the rubber as expected. Between the majors and minors Weathers has tossed at least 95 pitches in five straight outings, so his workload should not concern those considering including him in fantasy lineups.

Helsley (forearm) "is undergoing another round of tests and evaluation," according to John Denton of MLB.com.

Per the report, Helsley "has experienced pain and tightness between each of his four rehab appearances" this month, so he will be checked out again by the Cardinals' medical staff. Another update on his status figures to be released after the exams are performed.

Brebbia (lat) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

After completing a throwing progression, Brebbia has been deemed ready for his first game action since mid-June, when he was placed on the injured list with a right lat strain. Since the Giants aren't expected to deploy Brebbia has anything more than a one- or two-inning reliever or opening pitcher once he's activated from the 60-day IL, the right-hander isn't expected to require the full 30-day rehab window to prepare himself for a return to the big leagues. Brebbia notched two wins and six holds while pitching to a 3.14 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 28.2 innings over 29 appearances with the Giants prior to landing on the IL.

Chavez (shin) said Monday that he threw a live batting practice session without any discomfort, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The 40-year-old right-hander has been on the shelf since mid-June with what was initially diagnosed as a left shin contusion, but after he underwent an MRI once the swelling on his leg subsided, he was revealed to have suffered a microfracture. The updated diagnosis explains why Chavez has been on the mend for nearly two months, but he appears to be nearly healed up from the microfracture. Chavez said he'll first need to prove that he can run at full speed and field his position without issue before getting the green light to head out on a rehab assignment, possibly within the next week or two.

The Phillies optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Ortiz will cede his spot in the Phillies bullpen to lefty Jose Alvarado (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list. After being called up from Lehigh Valley on Aug. 13, Ortiz made two appearances in relief and scattered three hits and no walks over two scoreless innings.

The Phillies reinstated Alvarado (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Alvarado should slide into a late-inning role for the Phillies while he rejoins the club for the first time since the All-Star break, though he likely won't factor into the equation for saves with Craig Kimbrel having seemingly solidified himself as the team's clear top closing option at this stage. Prior to being activated, the southpaw looked sharp over his two rehab appearances at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, tossing a pair of scoreless innings while striking out three and allowing two baserunners.

The Cardinals optioned Zuniga to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He'll head back to the minors to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for left-hander Drew Rom, who was called up from Memphis ahead of his first MLB start Monday in Pittsburgh. Zuniga was up with the Cardinals for just two days during his latest stint in the big leagues, striking out two and giving up one run over one inning in his lone relief appearance.

Mantiply is scheduled to work as the Diamondbacks' opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Rangers, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Mantiply hasn't tossed more than three innings in any of his 31 appearances in the majors or minors this season and hasn't exceeded two innings in more than two months, so he's unlikely to work more than once through the Texas batting order before exiting the contest. Slade Cecconi, who had initially been listed as Arizona's scheduled starter for Monday, will most likely work in bulk relief behind Mantiply.