MLB Player News

Lamet (forearm) pitched one inning against live hitters Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been sidelined due to right forearm inflammation since June 26, so Saturday's throwing session represents a tangible step toward a return. Lamet mixed both fastballs and sliders into his simulated inning of work and indicated that he felt good after throwing. According to manager Jayce Tingler, it is unclear where Lamet goes from here. "I don't know what exactly that the next step will be," said Tingler. "If we decide to go on a rehab assignment, or if we do one more [facing live hitters], what exactly that looks like. We wanted to kind of see how this one went, and it went really well."

The Cubs are optioning Megill to Triple-A Iowa to make room on the roster for David Bote (shoulder), who is returning from the injured list Sunday.

Megill has been shuttling between Triple-A and the majors recently, as he was sent to Iowa in late June, recalled Thursday and is now getting sent back down a few days later. The righty has logged 4.2 innings for the Cubs this year, recording an 11.57 ERA. Megill could very well return to the big club at some point, though his fantasy value will be fairly limited in a low-leverage role.

Weathers did not factor in the decision against Miami on Saturday, hurling four scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and three walks while striking out four. He also hit a solo home run in his only at-bat.

The left-hander returned to the mound after spending nearly two weeks on the shelf with an ankle injury. He had some control issues -- Weathers walked three and threw only 42 of 73 pitches for strikes -- but managed to keep the Marlins off the scoreboard across four innings. He helped his own cause with a third-inning solo shot -- the first long ball of his career. Weathers figures to stick in the rotation now that he is back to full health and is currently slated to make his next start at home against Colorado late next week.

Hill (wrist) was activated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Hill made 10 appearances during his rehab assignment with Columbus, notching an ugly 12.96 ERA and 2.72 WHIP across 8.1 innings. Given the poor performance, it's understandable he'll spend more time in the minors as he continues to work his way back from offseason wrist surgery. Cleveland has yet to announce a corresponding 40-man roster move.

Littell allowed three runs on four hits and struck out one in one inning versus Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Littell entered Saturday with a scoreless streak of 6.1 innings, but Pittsburgh rallied against him in the eighth inning of a lopsided contest. The right-hander hadn't allowed multiple runs in an appearance since June 15, which was one of his two turns as an opener this season. Overall, he has a 3.44 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB across 34 innings while adding five holds in 38 outings.

Chafin (0-2) allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while not recording an out to take the loss Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Before Saturday, Chafin hadn't allowed a run since May 7, a streak of 24.1 innings. However, he was touched up by his former team, and the lefty's ERA climbed from 1.37 to 2.06 in the process. Chafin has still been solid for the Cubs and should remain a dependable bullpen arm despite the rough outing.

Treinen earned a hold against Colorado on Saturday, pitching a perfect inning during which he struck out one batter.

The right-hander breezed through a scoreless frame to set up the save for closer Kenley Jansen. Treinen retired the side on only eight pitches, seven of which were strikes. He leads MLB with 22 holds on the season and has already tied his single-season career high set back in 2016 with Washington.

Lovelady allowed a run on two hits and struck out two in 1.1 innings versus Detroit on Saturday.

The left-hander hasn't seen much work lately, as Saturday was just his second appearance since the All-Star break. Lovelady has allowed runs in three of his seven outings this year, although he's managed to pick up two wins. Overall, he has a 5.87 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB through 7.2 innings in a low-leverage role.

Brentz (3-2) pitched a perfect inning and struck out two, earning the win in Saturday's 9-8 win over Detroit.

Brentz put in a solid effort in the top of the seventh inning, and Kansas City rallied for five runs in the bottom half of the frame to take the lead. The southpaw had some struggles in late June that carried over into early July, but he's put together four straight scoreless outings spanning 2.2 innings. He's posted a 2.91 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 52:27 K:BB with 11 holds across 43.1 innings overall, but a FIP of 4.40 indicates some regression could be on the way.

McHugh was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with right arm fatigue, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. The move is retroactive to July 22.

McHugh earned the win Wednesday after delivering two scoreless frames, but he hasn't pitched since while dealing with the arm fatigue. The 34-year-old has no timeline for his return but will be eligible to be activated from the injured list Aug. 1.