MLB Player News

Bard (3-2) allowed an unearned run on four walks and no hits across two scoreless innings to earn the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Marlins.

Bard entered the game with the score tied 11-11 in the ninth inning. He surrendered a pair of walks in each frame but allowed only a sacrifice fly to avoid any significant damage. Bard began the season without allowing a walk across his first 10 innings, but in 9.1 frames since he's handed out 10 free passes. His 2.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP for the campaign still look good, but he'll need to find the strike zone more consistently to remain effective in the long term.

Milner (2-1) allowed an unearned run over two-thirds of an inning and took the loss Wednesday against the Cubs.

Milner pitched the bottom of the 10th inning, and while he did not allow a runner to reach base, he did allow the courtesy runner to score and took his first loss of the season. Despite the result, Milner has been exceptional of late, giving up no earned runs over his last 8.1 innings while posting a 1.08 WHIP over that span.

Rucker (toe) worked around a hit and delivered a scoreless inning of relief with three strikeouts in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Brewers.

Rucker, who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list before the game, worked the seventh inning behind Kyle Hendricks and Daniel Norris. He struck out the leadoff man before allowing a one-out double, but he avoided any trouble with two more strikeouts. Rucker has been quietly solid for the Cubs this year with a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 16 innings. The righty was able to miss plenty of bats in 2021 as well, with 30 strikeouts over 28.1 innings, but he struggled overall with a 6.99 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. With a 3.45 FIP so far this season, Rucker's improved production seems sustainable, especially if he keeps missing bats.

Leiter (1-1) pitched a scoreless 10th inning in relief and earned the win Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out one.

With the Cubs having already used five pitchers through nine innings, Leiter got the 10th, which meant a runner starting on second base. He began the frame with a strikeout, but then a wild pitch advanced the runner to third with one out. Leiter got out of the pickle with a fielder's choice groundout to second baseman Nick Madrigal, who nailed the runner at the plate with the infield in. The righty then got Tyrone Taylor to fly out to end the inning, and he earned his first win of 2022 when the Cubs scored in the bottom of the frame for the 4-3 victory. Leiter still doesn't have a ton of fantasy value at this point with a low-leverage role and a 6.08 ERA on the year.

White didn't factor in the decision against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven across five innings.

White gave up a run in the first inning but wasn't tagged again until Bryan Reynolds got to him for a two-run homer in the fifth. The right-hander didn't give up any other extra-base hits in the contest and notched a season-high seven strikeouts, but he had to settle for a no-decision. White's time in the starting rotation could be running short with Clayton Kershaw (pelvis) and Andrew Heaney (shoulder) getting closer to returns, but he's tentatively lined up to make at least one more start, which would likely come on the road against the White Sox next week.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque after Wednesday's doubleheader against the Marlins.

Smith was optioned to Albuquerque on Tuesday but was back on the active roster as the 27th man for Wednesday's twin bill. He pitched an inning during the matinee and was tagged for six runs on five hits with two walks and zero strikeouts.

Pomeranz (elbow) has begun to throw at 75-80 percent during his bullpen sessions, Joe Harris of MLB.com reports.

Pomeranz has been tossing bullpens for over a week, but he only recently upped his intensity. That suggests that the left-handed reliever is getting closer to a return, though Padres manager Bob Melvin stated that the team is leery of rushing Pomeranz back too quickly given his past injuries. "I know he's going to get back out there, it's really good to have him back, but you don't want to push that because he's had some injuries in the past too," Melvin said. Though a clear timeline remains uncertain, Pomeranz is expected to return to action sometime in June.

Cousins (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Cousins has been on the shelf nearly a month since being diagnosed with a UCL injury in his right elbow, and the shift to the 60-day IL won't affect his return timeline. The 27-year-old has opted against Tommy John surgery and received a PRP injection a couple weeks ago, and he's in Arizona going through his rest and rehab work before progressing to a throwing program.

Hudson is likely to serve as the Dodgers' fill-in closer for any potential save situation Wednesday versus Pittsburgh since Craig Kimbrel is unavailable while addressing his mechanics, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hudson picked up a save during his previous appearance Saturday against the Diamondbacks, and he'll likely be called upon Wednesday should another opportunity arise. The right-hander has three saves and six holds along with a 2.25 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB across 16 innings this season. Kimbrel is expected to be available again Thursday, so it'll be a brief window as the fill-in closer for Hudson.

Wittgren recorded the last out of Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Padres, earning a save.

Kodi Whitley allowed a solo home run to Luke Voit and then loaded the bases with two outs. Wittgren entered the game and got Robinson Cano to fly out to end the threat. While this was his first save of the season, Wittgren's seen some high-leverage work with four holds in 22 appearances. He's been shaky with a 5.30 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 9:8 K:BB in 18.2 innings -- Giovanny Gallegos and Ryan Helsley are most likely to see the closing assignments going forward, but both of them had pitched Monday and Tuesday.