MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

He'll join the 26-man active roster and the bullpen as a replacement for Porter Hodge (shoulder), who landed on the 15-day injured list. Roberts previously made nine relief appearances for the Cubs back in April, allowing five runs with a 6:2 K:BB over 8.1 frames.

The Cubs placed Hodge on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a right shoulder impingement.

Hodge was knocked around for six runs while recording just one out in Tuesday's loss to the Twins. Though Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday in a radio appearance on 670 The Score Chicago that he doesn't believe Hodge's injury is "anything major," the reliever will be on the shelf for at least a couple weeks. Hodge previously missed more than a month of action with oblique and hip injuries.

The Marlins claimed Zuber off waivers from the Mets on Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.

Zuber allowed two runs over two innings in his lone relief appearance with the Mets this season and has collected a 6.11 ERA and 27:15 K:BB across 28 frames at the Triple-A level in 2025. The 30-year-old will give the Marlins some right-handed bullpen depth at Jacksonville.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Kerkering was unavailable to pitch in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Giants due to soreness but is available Wednesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Kerkering might have gotten a save chance had he been available Tuesday. Instead, the Phillies turned to Jordan Romano, who gave up three runs in the ninth inning to take a blown save and loss. The source of Kerkering's soreness isn't known, but he will evidently be ready Wednesday, if needed. Kerkering has notched two saves for the Phillies this season.

The Brewers designated Rodriguez for assignment Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Steward Berroa (shoulder), who was acquired via trade from the Dodgers. Rodriguez has made two starts and four relief appearances for the Brewers this season, allowing 18 runs with a 17:7 K:BB over 18.2 frames.

Birdsong isn't scheduled to make a start during the Giants' three-game series with the Dodgers this weekend, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants will take advantage of an off day Thursday to realign their rotation, resulting in Birdsong's turn being skipped while Landen Roupp and Robbie Ray both make their second starts of the week Saturday and Sunday, respectively. According to Rubin, manager Bob Melvin said that Birdsong will be available out of the bullpen for the series against Los Angeles before slotting back into the rotation following the All-Star break. Since moving into the San Francisco rotation May 20, Birdsong has gone 3-3 with a 5.10 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB in 42.1 innings over his nine starts.

The Dodgers optioned Diaz to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Diaz's first stint with the Dodgers lasted only one day, and he did not make an appearance. The reliever's removal from the active roster frees up a spot for Tyler Glasnow (shoulder), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Wednesday's game in Milwaukee.

Bivens allowed two earned runs on two hits -- including one home run -- over 1.1 innings in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Phillies.

Bivens entered the game with two outs and a runner on third base in the sixth, retiring the first batter he faced to end the inning. However, the right-hander gave up a single and a home run in the seventh. Over his last 10 appearances, Bivens owns a 4.02 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB across 15.2 innings.

The Dodgers transferred Kopech (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

When Kopech was placed on the IL on July 1 due to right knee inflammation, manager Dave Roberts suggested that the reliever would be in line for a brief stay on the shelf. However, after Kopech received an injection to address the discomfort in his knee, the Dodgers evidently determined that the right-hander would need more time off to recover than anticipated. As a result of Kopech's move to the 60-day IL, he won't be eligible for activation until late August.

Treinen (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Treinen has been shelved since mid-April with a right forearm sprain, so he will likely need a handful of rehab outings before rejoining the Dodgers bullpen. The veteran reliever could be back on the active roster for the start of the second half if all goes well during his rehab assignment.