MLB Player News

Lopez (knee) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make a start for Atlanta next week, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports.

If Lopez starts on five days' rest like he did in his last rehab outing with Triple-A Gwinnett, he would take the ball Wednesday at home against the Rays. The veteran right-hander has been on the shelf since Aug. 2 with left knee inflammation, but he shouldn't have any workload restrictions after tossing 93 pitches over five scoreless frames in his final rehab start Thursday.

Hollowell (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hollowell has been sidelined since late July with right shoulder inflammation, but he's ready to test things out in a game setting. The right-handed reliever has allowed five runs (four earned) with a 13:8 K:BB over 14.1 innings during his time with the Cubs in 2026.

Ashcraft (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Out since late May with a sprained UCL in his right elbow, Ashcraft permitted two runs with a 6:3 K:BB over 4.2 frames across five rehab appearances. The 28-year-old was working in a setup role when he got hurt, but he could be eased back into high-leverage situations.

Weaver revealed Wednesday that he's been dealing with a severe poison ivy rash for more than three weeks that's made it difficult for him to sleep, Jose Negron of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

The issue has not sidelined Weaver at any point, but he admitted that it's probably affected his performance. After collecting a 1.84 ERA and 45:11 K:BB in 44 frames for the Mets, Weaver holds a 5.79 ERA and 11:4 K:BB over 9.1 innings since being dealt to the Pirates. Weaver also had a sinus cold recently, but he will be available out of the bullpen Friday versus the Angels.

The Pirates optioned Eisert to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

The left-hander was called up by Pittsburgh on Tuesday and will return to Triple-A after firing 1.2 scoreless frames in two appearances. In 34 outings between the Pirates and White Sox this season, Eisert has a 6.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB across 36 innings.

The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

The right-hander has been shuttled between Triple-A and the majors throughout the season. Mattson has pitched in 37 MLB games in 2026 and has a 4.91 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB over 36.2 innings.

The Giants claimed Kuhnel off waivers from the Brewers on Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Kuhnel hasn't pitched in the big leagues since early July due to right rotator cuff tendinopathy, but he's healthy now after completing a rehab assignment. The 31-year-old has posted a 4.84 ERA and 22:12 K:BB over 35.1 innings in the majors this season and will give the Giants some experienced bullpen help.

Rolison pitched a clean ninth inning with no strikeouts to record the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.

With Jacob Webb taking a comebacker off his forearm Wednesday, the Cubs needed to go in a different direction to close out Thursday's game, and Rolison was up to the task. Webb is experiencing soreness but will avoid a stint on the injured list, so Rolison's time as Chicago's closer may be short lived, though it's possible Webb misses a few more games. No matter what role he's been in this year, Rolison has been reliable with a 2.93 ERA and 49 strikeouts across 55.1 innings, and he now has two saves to his name as well.

Lopez (knee) struck out six over five scoreless innings in a rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Gwinnett, scattering two hits and two walks.

Making the third start of his rehab assignment, Lopez performed effectively while spotting 53 of his 93 pitches for strikes. The 32-year-old has been on the shelf since Aug. 2 while nursing left knee inflammation, but he now appears ready to rejoin the big club after turning in a 2.57 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 14 innings during his rehab assignment. Since he's been building up as a starter at Triple-A, Lopez could end up unseating the struggling AJ Smith-Shawver in Atlanta's six-man rotation.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Webb (forearm) is experiencing soreness Thursday but is expected to avoid a stint on the injured list, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Webb took a 102.5-mph line drive off of his right arm in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Brewers. The Cubs will be cautious with the right-hander over the next few days, but he is not dealing with much beyond the soreness after X-rays came back negative.