MLB Player News

Lovelady was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Tuesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for new acquisition Tyson Miller. Lovelady had allowed five runs over his last four appearances before being booted off the roster.

Zuniga (pectoral) began a rehab assignment Monday with the Angels' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate, recording two outs while striking out one and allowing one hit.

Though he didn't issue any walks, Zuniga was a bit wild in his first rehab outing, as he hit a batter and threw a wild pitch. Given that he's been on the shelf since April 8 with a right pectoral strain, Zuniga will likely require a handful of appearances at multiple minor-league affiliates before he returns from the 15-day injured list.

O'Brien (forearm) has been playing long toss as he continues a throwing progression, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

O'Brien is working his way back from a right flexor strain. He was shifted to the 60-day injured list last week, so the right-hander won't be eligible for activation until the end of May. It's not clear when he might be ready to throw bullpen sessions.

Middleton (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Tuesday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Middleton is finally ready to test things out in a game setting after being diagnosed with a right forearm strain back in mid-March. Because he's missed so much time, Middleton figures to require a fairly lengthy rehab assignment before joining the Cardinals' bullpen.

White allowed three runs on three hits and one walk over one inning in Monday's 7-0 loss to the Guardians.

White was part of a bullpen meltdown that allowed seven runs in the final two innings following starter Michael Lorenzen's seven shutout frames. This was the second appearance for White since being called up last week, and it hasn't been good for the 24-year-old right-hander. He's allowed more runs (six) than batters retired (three). Like last season, the Rangers are having bullpen troubles. The back end of David Robertson (2.61 ERA, 20.2 innings) and Kirby Yates (0.56 ERA, 7-for-7 in save situations) is strong, but several middle-relief and later-inning options have been problematic.

Leclerc (3-3) was charged with Monday's loss against the Guardians, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning.

Starter Michael Lorenzen pitched well enough to win -- he fired seven shutout innings -- but he got little support from the offense or the bullpen, which ceded seven runs over the final two innings. It started with Leclerc, who has allowed runs in three consecutive appearances (five runs, four hits, three walks, three innings). The team's closer to start the season, Leclerc had shifted back to lower-leverage outings and worked his way back with a stretch of nine scoreless innings prior to this recent three-game downturn. His ERA now stands at 6.88 with a 1.71 WHIP and 15 walks over 17 innings.

Ginkel allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over one inning, picking up a blown save in Monday's 6-5 win over Cincinnati.

Ginkel failed to hold an eighth-inning lead for a second consecutive appearance. He's allowed runs in three of the last four outings, all since he slid back from closer to a setup role.

Leahy (1-1) struck out three over 2.2 perfect innings to earn the win Monday over Angels.

Starter Matthew Liberatore labored through 3.1 innings, while Leahy was sharp and kept the Cardinals' deficit at four runs. The team's offense made a rare explosion with eight runs in the seventh inning, and they held the lead the rest of the way to get Leahy his first big-league win. The right-hander has a 5.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB over 9.2 innings through five appearances as a long reliever this season. With Liberatore still not stretched out as a starter, Leahy could continue to piggyback him while Steven Matz (back) is on the injured list.

Gaddis (2-1) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win Monday over the Rangers.

It took the Guardians' offense until the eighth inning to get on the board, but they took full control after that. Gaddis took three straight blown saves to close out April, but he's rebounded with 5.2 scoreless innings to begin May. The right-hander has added eight holds, a 2.18 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB through 20.2 innings this season as a key part of the bridge to closer Emmanuel Clase.

Webb (0-2) allowed an unearned run on one hit over 1.1 innings to take the extra-inning loss versus the Blue Jays on Monday. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Webb was charged with an unearned run when Keegan Akin allowed the initial runner to score in the 10th inning after he relieved Webb. The 30-year-old Webb hasn't given up an earned run in 6.2 innings, posting an 8:3 K:BB while allowing two unearned runs in that span. He's at a 1.47 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 18.1 innings overall while adding two saves and three holds this season.