MLB Player News

Bowlan (groin) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Bowlan landed on the 15-day IL on April 13 due to a right groin strain. He's been throwing bullpen sessions and will now take another step in his rehab by seeing game action. Bowlan is eligible to return from the injured list Tuesday, and it's feasible that he'll be ready to return to Philadelphia's bullpen at that time.

Cincinnati optioned Nicolas to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Nicolas spent the past two weeks on the big-league roster and got into seven games, struggling to an 8.59 ERA, 2.86 WHIP and 7:13 K:BB over 7.1 innings. That damage was largely a result of two poor outings during which he yielded a combined seven runs across 1.2 frames; in his other five appearances, he wasn't charged with any earned runs. Nonetheless, Nicolas' awful 31.0 percent walk rate is likely something he'll be tasked with working on while in the minors.

Rolison (1-0) tossed three scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Friday's 6-4 victory over the Dodgers. He allowed two hits and struck out one.

Rolison entered in the sixth inning with the Cubs down 4-0. The lefty pitched well enough to keep his team in the game, and then picked up his first win with Chicago and second at the MLB level when the Cubs rallied with six runs across the final three frames. This was just the second appearance of the season for Rolison, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa on April 14. He appeared in 31 games for the Rockies last year, posting a 7.02 ERA across 42.1 innings.

Martin struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

Martin has allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out two over four scoreless innings in the majors this season. The 30-year-old right-hander is getting steady usage since the Cubs selected his contract from Triple-A Iowa last Saturday. The Cubs' bullpen is in flux currently since Daniel Palencia (lat), Caleb Thielbar (hamstring), Phil Maton (knee) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) are all on the injured list. Martin is one of four pitchers to log a save for the Cubs this season, and only Thielbar has multiple saves despite the team's first-place standing in the NL Central. It's unclear if Martin will be called on again for save chances in the near term, but he's pitched well enough to earn some additional looks in the late innings.

Suarez earned the save Friday against the Phillies, allowing one hit and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Suarez put the tying run on base with a walk to Trea Turner and Adolis Garcia single but was able to get Brandon Marsh to ground out to end the game. With Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) on the injured list, Suarez has converted back-to-back saves this week and has big-time fantasy upside for however long Iglesias is sidelined. Suarez is a perfect 3-for-3 in save chances this season and owns a minuscule 0.77 ERA and 12:2 K:BB across 11.2 innings.

Holmes (2-1) picked up the win Friday against the Phillies, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts across six innings.

Holmes notched his third quality start of the season but has allowed multiple runs in five of six outings to begin the 2026 campaign. The right-hander was able to mostly limit the damage, surrendering a pair of homers to Trea Turner and Bryce Harper to account for the three runs. Holmes will carry a 3.62 ERA and 25:14 K:BB across 32.1 innings into his next start.

Pallante (2-2) allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out eight over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Friday.

Pallante had a fine performance, but the solo home run he gave up to Josh Naylor in the sixth inning ended up being the difference. The eight strikeouts were a season high for Pallante, but he's also walked at least three batters in four of his five starts, and he's yet to complete six frames in any outing this year. That puts him at a 4.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 20:14 K:BB through 25.1 innings. If Pallante keeps limiting damage, he's a fine back-end starter, but that will be tough to do if the walk rate remains at a lofty 5.0 BB/9. The right-hander's next start is projected to be on the road in Pittsburgh.

The Cubs placed Thielbar on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left hamstring strain.

Thielbar had to come out of Thursday's game against the Phillies early after suffering an injury on the mound, and he'll now be forced to sit out at least another 15 days. The 39-year-old had been serving as Chicago's closer with Daniel Palencia (oblique) on the injured list, but that responsibility could be passed on to Ben Brown for the time being. Vince Velasquez was selected from Triple-A Iowa to fill the open spot in the Cubs' bullpen.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Iglesias (shoulder) has yet to resume throwing, but the club is happy with his progress and hopes to activate him May 5 when he's first eligible, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

It will be tough to get a more accurate gauge on Iglesias' timeline until he is able to throw again without issue, but the club remains confident its closer won't be out long. Robert Suarez is filling in as Atlanta's ninth-inning man while Iglesias is on the mend from right shoulder inflammation.

The Rockies recalled Peralta from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Peralta has collected a 3.72 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with seven strikeouts over 9.2 innings in the bullpen at Albuquerque this season. The left-hander will provide the Rockies with a fresh relief arm.