MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Monday and will have him start Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

With Matthew Boyd (biceps) and Cade Horton (forearm) landing on the injured list within the past two days, the Cubs will turn to Assad to fill one of the two openings in the rotation. After falling short in his bid for a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster, Assad has made two starts for Iowa this season, giving up seven earned runs on 14 hits and six walks while striking out seven over seven innings. The right-hander has a much stronger track record over parts of four seasons in the majors, accruing a 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9.6 K-BB% over 331 innings.

The Marlins placed Fairbanks on the paternity leave list Monday.

The transaction was anticipated, as Fairbanks was used as an opener in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Yankees so that he could leave the team sooner in order to be with his growing family. Fairbanks will likely rejoin the active roster for Thursday's game against the Reds. Anthony Bender picked up a save Sunday and could get more chances this week while Fairbanks is away. Calvin Faucher and Andrew Nardi are also candidates to see save chances.

Miller picked up a blown save in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Mets, allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.

After Keaton Winn gave up two hits and recorded one out in the eighth inning, Miller entered the game and allowed a go-ahead two-run double to give the Mets a 3-2 lead. He then surrendered an RBI single and another RBI double before striking out the final two batters of the inning. The left-hander has allowed two runs in back-to-back outings and now owns a 12.00 ERA, 2.67 WHIP and 4:2 K:BB across three innings in four outings this season.

The Diamondbacks outrighted Ross to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Ross will stick around in the Arizona organization after going unclaimed off waivers once the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment Friday. The right-hander was able to secure his spot on the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster but struggled over his three appearances out of the bullpen to begin the season, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits and four walks over 3.2 innings.

The Cubs returned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Roberts will head back to the minors after the Cubs summoned him from Iowa to serve as their 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader versus the Guardians. The right-hander was called upon in relief in the Cubs' 6-5 loss in Game 2, retiring two of the three batters he faced while allowing a base hit.

Brazoban (1-0) recorded the win Sunday against the Giants, tossing 1.1 perfect innings of relief. He didn't strike out a batter.

The right-hander replaced Kodai Senga on the mound in the sixth inning with the Mets down 2-1, and was still the pitcher of record when they erupted for four runs in the top of the eighth. Brazoban has looked good to begin the season, posting a 0.00 ERA and 3:0 K:BB over five appearances and 5.1 innings.

King (1-0) picked up the win in Sunday's 7-6 victory over the Yankees, retiring the only batter he faced to end the seventh inning.

The southpaw took the mound with Miami down 4-3 and New York threatening to add to the deficit with runners on first and third with two outs, but King got Jazz Chisholm to ground out to end the frame. The Marlins' offense then erupted for four runs in the top of the eighth to give King the win. The veteran reliever has had a strong start to the season, posting a 0.00 ERA and 3:1 K:BB through three innings over four appearances.

Payamps (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Diamondbacks, failing to record an out and giving up an unearned run on one hit.

The right-hander took the mound to begin the 10th inning in a 5-5 game, and Ketel Marte drove the first pitch he saw from Payamps off the wall in right field to bring home the phantom runner. Payamps has made three appearances so far this season and been tagged for a run in all three, although two of them were unearned. He carries a 6.75 ERA and 2:1 K:BB through 1.1 innings, and while he recorded 27 combined holds and saves as recently as 2024 for the Brewers, Payamps seems a long way from regular high-leverage duty for Atlanta.

O'Brien (2) earned the save Sunday against the Tigers, striking out one over a perfect ninth inning.

Entering the ninth with a two-run lead, O'Brien was efficient in closing this one out. The 31-year-old retired the heart of Detroit's order on just 13 pitches to secure his second save of the season. The right-hander has yet to allow a run through his first five appearances (5.1 innings), an encouraging sign after he blew three of nine save opportunities in 2025. Ryne Stanek handled a hitless eighth inning, but it now appears O'Brien has taken control of the main closer role after opening the season still ramping up from his calf injury from the spring.

Leahy (1-1) earned the win Sunday against the Tigers, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings.

Leahy worked through traffic all afternoon, allowing at least one baserunner in every inning he worked and needing 97 pitches (54 strikes) to complete five frames. The right-hander was especially inefficient early, laboring through 48 pitches over the first two innings. However, the only damage on the scoreboard came in the third inning on a two-run homer that Kerry Carpenter lifted over the center field wall. While Leahy limited the runs Sunday, he'll need to be more efficient moving forward, especially with a matchup scheduled against Boston for his next start.