MLB Player News

Kimbrel agreed to sign a contract with the Cubs on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

It was reported earlier Wednesday that the Cubs were "pushing hard" for Kimbrel now that he's no longer tied to draft-pick compensation, and it didn't take long for the two sides to reach an agreement. The Cubs have already blown 11 saves this season, so the addition of the veteran right-hander will be a welcome sight to the north side of Chicago. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, the agreement is a three-year deal worth about $43 million and includes a fourth-year option. Kimbrel will likely require a bit of time before joining the team, but Passan indicates he could do so by June 20.

Burdi (biceps) has yet to resume throwing, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Burdi has been shut down from throwing since suffering a strained biceps tendon back in mid-April. Until he picks up a throwing program, the right-hander will remain without a timetable for his return.

Dominguez exited Wednesday's game against the Padres with an undisclosed injury, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Dominguez allowed two runners to reach base and recorded just one out prior to exiting Wednesday's game with a trainer. More should be known about the injury once Dominguez is further evaluated in the coming days, but this could be yet another tough blow to a Phillies bullpen that is already depleted. Hector Neris replaced Dominguez in Wednesday's contest.

Lambert will be called up and make his MLB debut Thursday against the Cubs, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Lambert was expected to be called up with Kyle Freeland getting sent to Triple-A Albuquerque, and Newman reports the 22-year-old right-hander has arrived at Wrigley Field and will take the hill Thursday for his big-league debut. He's on the club's taxi squad, so the callup should be made official ahead of Thursday's game, per MLB.com's Thomas Harding. Lambert is considered the Rockies' top pitching prospect, and given the club's starting rotation struggles this season, he has a chance to make a case to stay in the rotation with a good performance.

Helsley was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

The Cardinals will need someone to fill Genesis Cabrera's spot in the rotation after the latter was optioned in a corresponding move. However, that's unlikely to be Helsley, who's in the midst of transitioning to full-time reliever. Helsley owns a 3.38 ERA in eight innings of relief for the Cardinals this season, and a 3.86 ERA in the 23.1 innings he's logged for the Redbirds.

Cabrera was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Cabrera made two starts during his first major-league stint but didn't look particularly good in either, allowing nine runs (six earned) in 8.1 innings while posting a 2.04 WHIP. Ryan Helsley was recalled from Memphis in a corresponding move, though it's not yet clear who will take Cabrera's spot in the rotation.

Gott (forearm) was activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday,

Gott spent just one day more than the minimum on the injured list. He'll return to fill a bullpen role, with Buster Posey (hamstring) landing on the injured list in a corresponding move.

Lamet (elbow) will require at least one more rehab start at High-A Lake Elsinore before the Padres determine his next step, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

In his long road back from Tommy John surgery, Lamet made his second start for Lake Elsinore on Tuesday against Inland Empire. He pushed his pitch count up to 61 (36 strikes) in the outing, covering 2.1 innings and giving up five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four. Despite his lackluster results through two rehab starts, Lamet fastball has been clocked as high as 98 miles per hour in both outings, leaving him confident with where he stands in his recovery. He could be an option for the San Diego rotation at some point later in June.

Nelson was recalled from Triple-A San Antonio as expected ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Marlins.

Nelson will make his first big-league start in nearly 21 months after finally recovering from shoulder surgery. He owns a 3.75 ERA and a 29:12 K:BB in 24 rehab innings with San Antonio. Trevor Williams was optioned in a corresponding move.

Strahm is not expected to spend much longer than the minimum 10 days on the injured list with his rib strain, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

It appears as though Strahm's trip to the injured list is a matter of workload management as much as anything else. He could wind up missing just one start and re-enter the rotation at some point near the end of next week.