MLB Player News

Manager Craig Stammen said that Pivetta (forearm) threw two innings in a bridge league game Thursday at the Padres' spring training complex in Arizona, 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Stammen noted that Pivetta "felt great" during the outing and will throw a bullpen session before the Padres decide when the right-hander will make his next appearance in a game, either at the complex in Arizona or as part of a minor-league rehab assignment. Pivetta -- who has been on the shelf since April 14 due to a right forearm strain -- kicked off a rehab assignment at Single-A Lake Elsinore on Aug. 4 but tossed just 14 pitches before experiencing renewed tightness in his elbow. Though Pivetta is pitching in games again, he'll still need some time to build back up and is no longer looking likely to make it back from the 60-day injured list until September.

Yan (1-1) took the loss Friday against the White Sox after allowing two runs on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Yan entered for the ninth inning of a 4-4 game, and after issuing a leadoff walk, he retired two batters quickly before things unraveled. Jake Rogers launched a two-run homer to center field to end the game. It was the first loss of the season for Yan, who saw his ERA climb to 4.26. The left-hander, who made his MLB debut earlier this month, has given up three runs in his first 6.1 innings of big-league work while posting a 7:6 K:BB.

Manaea didn't factor in the decision Friday against the White Sox, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings.

Manaea cruised through five scoreless innings with a 4-0 lead before Chicago erased it in dramatic fashion. After a leadoff walk to Munetaka Murakami, the left-hander surrendered three consecutive home runs to Miguel Vargas, Randal Grichuk and Colson Montgomery to tie the game. Manaea still completed six innings, but he's now allowed four runs in consecutive starts, raising his ERA to 4.31. He's completed at least six frames in six straight outings, though Friday's sudden collapse spoiled what had been an excellent performance. He's scheduled to make his next start at home against the Brewers.

Zeferjahn (4-4) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while retiring two batters to take the loss in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning defeat to the Mariners.

Zeferjahn was tasked with working the bottom of the 10th inning in a 5-5 game, and he ended up serving up a walk-off single to Leo Rivas. It was the righty's first loss since he joined the Cubs at the trade deadline, with his last defeat coming back in May when he was with the Angels. Zeferjahn has struggled a bit with his new team, as he now has a 5.87 ERA and 1.96 WHIP across 7.2 innings in eight appearances. He does at least have a strong 12.9 K/9 in a Chicago uniform.

Gordon (0-4) took the loss against the Guardians on Friday, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Gordon re-entered the rotation for the first time since July 10 and opened with two quick innings before yielding at least one run in each frame that followed. The 28-year-old did throw a strong 62 of 82 pitches for strikes, but he surrendered one homer, and the Guardians made him pay with runners on base. He owns a 5.75 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 64:15 K:BB across 76.2 innings this season and lines up for a road matchup with the Nationals next week.

Fairbanks (4-4) came away with the win against the Nationals on Friday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two batters in one inning.

Fairbanks was brought out for the ninth inning to protect the Marlins' 2-1 lead. He struck out the first two batters he faced, but after Jacob Young got on base and stole second, Fairbanks proceeded to give up an RBI single to Daylen Lile to tie the game up at 2-2. It was the fourth blown save chance of the season for Fairbanks, but he ended up being tagged with the win thanks to Javier Sanoja's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the frame. Fairbanks has a 3.48 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 10.1 innings since the All-Star break.

Megill recorded his 24th save of the season in Friday's 2-1 win over Atlanta, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.

The right-hander fired an efficient 10 pitches (eight strikes) as he converted his 16th straight save opportunity, with his last blown chance coming June 5 at Coors Field. Megill has been scored upon in only one of 14 appearances since the All-Star break, posting a 0.64 ERA, 0.43 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB over 14 innings during that span. With Megill having pitched both Thursday and Friday, Brewers manager Pat Murphy may have to turn to someone else if the team has a late lead Saturday.

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The move opens up a spot on the Cubs' active roster for Daniel Palencia, who was activated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Assad was promoted to the Cubs' bullpen on Monday and worked in long-relief against the White Sox on Tuesday, when he allowed two hits while striking out two batters across three scoreless frames. He's started in all five of his outings in Triple-A, where he has a 7.31 ERA and 2.06 WHIP across 16 innings this season.

The Cubs activated Palencia (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Palencia has been officially cleared to return from a nearly two-month absence due to a right elbow flexor strain, and he'll be available out of the bullpen for Friday's game against the Mariners. Palencia was the Cubs' closer prior to his injury, but he may be restricted to high-leverage situations in his return given how well Jacob Webb has pitched in save opportunities. In corresponding moves, Owen Miller was designated for assignment and Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Klein said Friday that he's largely symptom-free from the loose elbows in his right elbow, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Klein landed on the IL on Aug. 1 due to bone chips in his right elbow. Anti-inflammatory medication and rest have helped in the right-hander's recovery, and the next step in his rehab would be to start a throwing progression. The Dodgers will have a better sense of Klein's recovery timeline and whether he'll be able to return this season once he starts throwing again.