MLB Player News

Little will undergo an MRI on his injured left shoulder Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Little landed on the 15-day injured list just before the All-Star break and will now go through imaging to assess the severity of the issue. The left-handed reliever has put up a 3.46 ERA and 28:18 K:BB over 26 innings out of the Cubs' bullpen in 2024.

The Nationals optioned Willingham to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

He made one appearance during his brief time with the big club, allowing two runs over an inning of work. Willingham is being cleared out to make room for Jose Ferrer in the Nationals' bullpen.

The Nationals activated Ferrer (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his left shoulder. He will give the team a second left-hander in the bullpen behind Robert Garcia, something the Nationals have not had in 2024 until now.

Alzolay (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with the Cubs' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Alzolay has been on the shelf since mid-May with a right flexor strain but is ready for game action. The reliever will need many rehab appearances and will eventually move up to a higher affiliate, so he's likely still at least a couple weeks away from a return.

Brown (neck) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Brown had to be shut down again just before the All-Star break due to lingering discomfort in his neck, but he appears to be feeling better. The right-hander hasn't made a game appearance in six weeks, so he's going to need several rehab outings before becoming an option for the Cubs again.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Merryweather (ribs) is on track to return by next weekend "at the latest," Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Merryweather has allowed one run with a 3:0 K:BB over three innings on his rehab assignment and will make a fourth appearance Friday, this one with Triple-A Iowa. He's been out since early April with a rib stress fracture but should quickly rejoin Chicago's high-leverage crew once activated.

The Cubs selected Tinoco's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Tinoco was acquired from the Royals in a trade Tuesday and will go straight onto the major-league roster rather than report to Iowa. The 29-year-old reliever holds a career 4.58 ERA and 61:47 K:BB over 57 appearances at the major-league level. He allowed nine runs over 10 innings in a stint with the Rangers earlier this season.

Simpson (elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session July 9, MLB.com reports.

Simpson opened the season on the injured list after being diagnosed with left elbow neuritis, but he appeared to be tracking toward a brief stay on the shelf. However, after making a rehab appearance April 6, Simpson incurred a setback and ultimately underwent surgery later that month. Nearly three months later, Simpson is finally starting to make some real progress in the recovery process as he conducts his rehab at the Marlins' facility in Jupiter, Fla. He could be cleared to start facing hitters in live batting practice shortly after the All-Star break.

The Dodgers outrighted Hernandez to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Wednesday.

Hernandez was acquired via trade from the Pirates just over a month ago and had thrown two scoreless innings with the Dodgers' rookie-level club. He's now off the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. Look for him to eventually settle in at Triple-A Oklahoma City as a bullpen arm.

Uribe underwent surgery on his right knee Wednesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Uribe's return timeline had been uncertain heading into the operation, though he's now been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 campaign and hopes to be ready for the start of spring training. The 24-year-old reliever will finish the year with a 6.91 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across 14.1 innings in the majors.