MLB Player News

Alzolay (lat) started a rehab assignment Monday with the Cubs' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Alzolay opened the 2022 campaign on the injured list due to a strained right lat, but he's been ramping up his activity of late. He'll likely need to prove his health in at least a few rehab outings before having a chance to be activated from the 60-day IL before the season ends.

Assad will be called up to start the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Assad was promoted to Triple-A Iowa at the beginning of July, and he's posted a 2.95 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 36.2 innings over eight appearances (seven starts) at the Triple-A level. The Cubs' starting rotation is currently banged up, so it's possible that Assad makes more than one turn through the rotation if he performs well Tuesday.

Graterol (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Graterol was initially targeting a return during the Dodgers' weekend series against the Marlins, but the team ultimately waited to activate him until Monday. He recently completed a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City and allowed a hit and a walk while striking out four in 3.2 scoreless innings over four appearances. He'll be available out of the bullpen for Monday's series opener against the Brewers.

Suarez earned a hold against the Nationals on Sunday, allowing two hits and striking out two batters in one inning of work.

When closer Josh Hader was demoted out of the role Saturday, some though Suarez could be first in line to soak up his save opportunities. That hasn't been the case so far, as Luis Garcia got a save Saturday and Nick Martinez notched one Sunday. Suarez was chosen to work the eighth inning in Sunday's contest, and he recorded his sixth straight scoreless appearance despite surrendering a pair of hits. There's still a chance Suarez could get an occasional closing chance while Hader tries to regain his form, but it's evident that he'll compete with others for such opportunities.

Dominguez underwent an MRI on Monday that cleared him of any structural damage to his right arm, verifying his earlier diagnosis of right triceps tendinitis, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

With the hard-throwing right-hander having been cleared of a significant injury, he'll set his sights on returning from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Sept. 2. That target date could prove to be on the optimistic side for Dominguez, who will be on a no-throw program for the next five days before he's potentially cleared to start ramping up again this weekend. On Sunday, interim manager Rob Thomson was unwilling to name a replacement for Dominguez as the Phillies' primary closer, with the skipper telling Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer that all of David Robertson, Connor Brogdon, Jose Alvarado, Brad Hand and Andrew Bellatti could be options to close games depending on the situation.

The Phillies designated Cyr for assignment Monday.

Just one day after joining the Phillies' 40-man roster and 26-man active roster, he'll cede both spots to fellow reliever Michael Plassmeyer, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Lehigh Valley ahead of Monday's game against the Reds. The 29-year-old Cyr made his MLB debut in Sunday's 10-9 loss to the Mets, recording just one out while allowing one earned run on two hits.

Helsley (personal) was moved from the paternity list to the restricted list Monday.

Players are allowed to spend a maximum of three days on the paternity list, so Helsley's move to the restricted list is procedural since he isn't yet ready to rejoin the team. It's not clear when Helsley will be cleared to return, but he'll at least remain sidelined for Monday's series opener against the Cubs.

Giles agreed Monday with the Giants on a minor-league contract, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Giles elected free agency Aug. 14 after he was designated for assignment by the Mariners, but he has now quickly found a new opportunity with the Giants. The 31-year-old appeared in five games for Seattle this season, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and four walks while striking out six. Those numbers are a little misleading though, as he surrendered 13 runs over 12.1 frames during his minor-league rehab assignment. Giles will likely find himself elevated to the Giants bullpen at some point down the stretch.

Garcia was charged with a blown save after allowing two runs on two hits while striking out one in one-third of an inning.

Garcia gave up a two-run home run to Randal Grichuk in the eighth inning, which tied the game at 6-6. It's been a rough stretch for Garcia lately -- he's allowed 11 runs (nine earned) across his last 13.2 innings spanning 15 appearances since the All-Star break. He's picked up just one hold in that span and appears limited to a low-leverage role with just three holds in 45 outings this year. He's added a 3.09 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 41:13 K:BB and 1-3 record through 46.2 innings.

Leone (4-4) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of a scoreless inning, earning the extra-innings win over the Rockies on Sunday.

Leone cleaned things up after Alex Young allowed the Rockies to tie the game again in the 10th inning. The Giants went ahead again in the 11th, and Leone ended up with the win after Zack Littell closed out the contest. Through 7.1 innings in August, Leone has allowed five runs, 11 hits and three walks with nine strikeouts. He has a 4.33 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 47:17 K:BB through 43.2 innings overall, and he's added three saves, 11 holds and four blown saves while functioning as part of the setup mix ahead of closer Camilo Doval.