MLB Player News

Romano allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two over one inning to take a blown save in Tuesday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Rays.

Romano blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning but was able to prevent further damage, leading to the extra frames. Over eight outings in July, he gave up just one run across 7.2 innings while converting five saves and adding a hold. He's now at a 6.48 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 24:12 K:BB through 16.2 innings over 20 games between the Rockies and the Angels, adding nine saves in 12 chances. However, Romano's stability in the closer role likely improved after the Rockies dealt away Antonio Senzatela and Victor Vodnik at the trade deadline, though it's still risky to go chasing saves in the Colorado bullpen.

Megill recorded his 19th save Tuesday against the Pirates, retiring the side in order in a perfect ninth inning.

Megill was unsurprisingly called upon with a two-run lead in the ninth and needed just 10 pitches to retire Pittsburgh in order for his 19th save of the season. The right-hander has been dominant of late, allowing just one run across his last 20 appearances (19.1 innings) while collecting 21 strikeouts, 11 saves and one hold during that span. On the season, Megill owns a 2.76 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 50:11 K:BB across 42.1 innings.

Manaea (3-5) earned the win against the Guardians on Tuesday, allowing two runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out seven across six innings.

It wasn't exactly smooth sailing for Manaea, as he averaged two baserunners per inning pitched and allowed at least three Guardians on base in three of six frames. Nevertheless, the veteran right-hander limited the damage to two runs for a third straight quality start and ended his night with 13 whiffs and 64 strikes on 100 pitches. Manaea will take a 4.33 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 97.2 innings into his next start, which is lined up for this weekend on the road against the Pirates.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced July 21 that Maton will rest for roughly three weeks after requiring a platelet-rich plasma injection to address right knee tendinitis, MLB.com reports.

On the shelf for the third time this season due to the knee issue, Maton appears on track to be re-evaluated next week. Even if the PRP injection has resolved Maton's symptoms, the right-hander will likely be ramped up slowly. The veteran reliever submitted a 6.18 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over 27.2 innings in his 31 appearances before landing on the injured list July 20.

The Cubs announced Wednesday that Miler (elbow) has been throwing off a mound and facing hitters at the team's complex in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Miller has seemingly progressed about as well as the Cubs could have hoped since undergoing surgery Oct. 13 to repair a torn right UCL and flexor tendon. Though the Cubs' main focus is ensuring that Miller is back to 100 percent heading into spring training, he looks like he could have a chance at making it back from the 60-day injured list at some point in September. A clearer target date for his return could emerge once he eventually moves his rehab program from Arizona to Chicago.

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.

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.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Holmes (fibula) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list to make his Cubs debut with a start this weekend in Kansas City, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Before the Mets traded him Monday, Holmes hadn't made an appearance at the big-league level since May 15, but the Cubs are confident that the right-hander is fully recovered from a fractured right fibula and sufficiently stretched out after completing a three-start minor-league rehab assignment. During his final rehab appearance this past Sunday at High-A Brooklyn, Holmes tossed 5.1 innings and 73 pitches, so he's not expected to have a major workload restriction as he slots into the Chicago rotation. For at least this week, the Cubs will skip Colin Rea's turn in the rotation to open up starting roles for Holmes and fellow trade-deadline pickup Kevin Gausman. Holmes posted a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB over 52.2 innings in his nine starts with the Mets prior to landing on the IL.