MLB Player News

Alzolay was optioned to the Cubs' alternate training site Wednesday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Alzolay started the year as the Cubs' fifth starter but has been charged with losses in each of his first two starts. During that time, he allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out 10 in 10.1 innings. He'll attempt to right the ship at the team's alternate camp, while Alec Mills could take over as Chicago's No. 5 starter going forward.

The Cubs reinstated Adam from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Adam was able to clear MLB's health and safety protocols in two days after first landing on the COVID-19 IL on Monday. The Cubs optioned reliever Brad Wieck to their alternate site to open up a spot on the active roster for Adam.

Rogers allowed one hit and struck out three over a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Reds.

Rogers continues to thrive in a setup role this year. He allowed a two-out double to Eugenio Suarez in this outing, but struck out Mike Moustakas to end the threat. The 30-year-old Rogers has a 1.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, five holds and seven strikeouts across seven outings. He's also been charged with two blown saves.

Peralta (2-0) allowed a run on two hits over one inning to earn the win Tuesday versus the Reds.

Peralta allowed a game-tying RBI single to Alex Blandino in the seventh inning, which stuck him with a blown save. The Giants retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh and held onto it, which gave Peralta his second win in five outings. He's pitched to a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and four strikeouts across five innings. He's also notched a save, but the 29-year-old won't often see such opportunities with Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers commanding the late innings so far.

Curtiss (1-0) allowed one hit and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless innings as he picked up the win Tuesday against Atlanta.

Curtiss entered to begin the fifth after Pablo Lopez had reached his limit and pitched an easy 1-2-3 inning on just nine pitches. The 28-year-old Curtiss came out again to start the sixth and got another quick out before surrendering a single to Austin Riley. He finished his day strong, however, as he struck out Ronald Acuna on three pitches before being taken out of the game in favor of Ross Detwiler. Curtiss has thrown back-to-back scoreless outings after allowing a run in each of his first two appearances this year, and he's lowered his ERA to 4.15 over 4.1 innings for the season.

Clarke allowed three runs on three hits while striking out three over 2.1 innings of relief in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Athletics.

With Zac Gallen coming off the injured list to make his first start of the season, the Diamondbacks were cautious with his pitch count, so Clarke entered in the fifth inning with Arizona leading 5-1. He set down six straight A's before tiring in the seventh, spoiling Gallen's debut. For Clarke, it was was his fifth appearance and second in which he was required to threw more than an inning. He's been bypassed for a possible rotation spot twice already, by Taylor Widener and Riley Smith, so middle/long-relief may be his lot for the season.

Neris (0-1) took the loss and blew his first save of the season in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while recording only one out.

The Phillies took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning, but the bad version of Neris showed up in the bottom half of the frame. The right-hander threw only 13 of 22 pitches for strikes, eventually serving up a bases-loaded walkoff single to Jonathan Villar. Neris hadn't allowed a run in five appearances coming into Tuesday, and on the season he still sports a 1.69 ERA and 5:3 K:BB through six innings.

Strop (1-0) worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win Tuesday against the Brewers. He struck out one.

Strop picked up his first win since July 19, 2019, as he only pitched 2.1 innings in the majors last year for the Reds. The veteran was added to the Cubs' roster Monday as a replacement player with three relievers placed on the COVID-19 injured list. The win is a nice moment for the fan favorite, but Strop doesn't hold a ton of fantasy value in his current role.

Kimbrel pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to record the save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Brewers. He walked one and struck out one.

It's been smooth sailing so far for Kimbrel, who has started the season with six scoreless innings, 10 strikeouts and three saves across five appearances. If the veteran reliever can keep this up, he'll be an invaluable fantasy asset, particularly considering his low cost of acquisition in this spring's drafts. He's coming off a pair of rough seasons, but Kimbrel turned things around down the stretch last year, and it certainly looks like he's carrying that success forward.

Ponce de Leon will pitch out of the bullpen going forward and will be available in that role Tuesday against the Nationals, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Ponce de Leon can't really complain about the move, as he owns an 11.37 ERA, 2.21 WHIP and a 3:5 K:BB through two starts. He pitched most recently Sunday against the Brewers, lasting just 1.1 innings, so he should be ready to pitch again soon. Kwang Hyun Kim (back) will return to the starting rotation Saturday against the Phillies.