MLB Player News

The Cubs claimed Peralta off waivers from the Cardinals on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Peralta was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Friday but quickly found a home in a new organization willing to dedicate a 40-man roster spot to him. The southpaw never made an appearance in the Cardinals organization, but he posted an inflated 17.18 ERA and 3.24 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 7.1 innings in six appearances with the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque this season. Peralta has the ability to punch out batters, but he'll need to greatly limit the damage against him at Iowa before receiving a look in Chicago's bullpen.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Sunday that Duran (oblique) may not require a rehab assignment prior to being activated from the 15-day injured list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Mattingly's comments came after Duran checked out fine following his bullpen session Saturday, during which the right-hander touched 100 miles per hour with his fastball. The Phillies are still deciding on the next steps for Duran, who is eligible to come off the IL at any point after missing more than 15 days due to a left oblique strain. Brad Keller has collected the Phillies' lone save since Duran hit the shelf, but the closer's role should be Duran's for the taking once he's activated.

Manager Pat Murphy said Sunday that Zerpa (forearm) is deciding whether or not to undergo Tommy John surgery, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The left-hander landed on the injured list Wednesday due to forearm tightness, and he could end up being out for the season and beyond. Even if Zerpa doesn't end up needing Tommy John surgery, he seems likely to be sidelined for multiple months.

Dubin signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday.

Dubin made his organizational debut Sunday with Triple-A Rochester, tossing a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. The right-handed reliever most recently saw action at the big-league level with Houston and Baltimore in 2025, when he turned in a 5.08 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 33.2 innings.

Atlanta outrighted Payamps to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday after he cleared waivers.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Friday, but he'll remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Payamps has surrendered seven earned runs over 7.2 innings during his time in the big leagues this year.

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Brewers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Zack Littell had been in line to start but will instead handle a bulk-relief assignment. Poulin has opened on four other occasions this season, covering 4.1 innings in those games while yielding one earned run on four hits and no walks.

The Reds recalled Maxwell from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

The right-hander was optioned to Louisville after Friday's game but will quickly rejoin Cincinnati's bullpen with Pierce Johnson being placed on the bereavement list. Maxwell surrendered four earned runs over one inning during his season debut for the Reds against the Pirates on Friday.

The Cubs designated Rios for assignment Sunday.

During his week-long stint in the majors, Rios made just one appearance out of the bullpen, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings last Sunday. The 32-year-old will be subject to waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, he'll have the option of electing free agency.

The Cubs reinstated Palencia (lat) from the 15-day injured list Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Placed on the shelf April 17 due to a lat strain, Palencia ended up missing just over the minimum amount of time. The righty will rejoin the Cubs after making a 19-pitch rehab appearance for Triple-A Iowa on Friday, when he retired two of the three batters he faced and averaged 100.4 miles per hour with his fastball. Given the brevity of his absence, Palencia should settle back in as the Cubs' closer right away.

The Reds placed Johnson (personal) on the bereavement list Sunday.

The 34-year-old will step away from the team for a few days for personal reasons. Johnson could rejoin the Reds toward the end of the upcoming road series versus the Cubs, which ends Thursday.