MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Ferguson to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

He's being sent out in order to make space on the roster for the return of Edward Cabrera (finger), who will start Friday's game against the Giants. Ferguson was promoted earlier this week and did not make an appearance during this stint with the big club.

The Reds outrighted Leibrandt to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Having been outrighted previously, Leibrandt has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent, but it's unclear what his plans are. The southpaw saved the Reds' bullpen earlier this week by eating six innings and allowing five runs in a relief appearance Monday versus the Royals.

Phillips (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, yielding one hit and one walk over two-thirds of a scoreless frame.

Phillips struck out one batter and averaged 95.7 mph with his four-seamer, which is up 0.3 mph from last season. The righty is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and will likely need a fairly lengthy rehab assignment before rejoining the Dodgers' active roster.

Teng (3-4) took the loss against Pittsburgh on Thursday, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out one batter over five-plus innings.

Teng gave up a run on two hits in the first inning but faced the minimum over his subsequent three frames. The right-hander allowed two baserunners while getting through a scoreless fifth, but things fell apart for him in the sixth. In that inning, Teng allowed four straight hits -- including a two-run homer -- before he was pulled without having recorded an out. That was enough for Teng to end up with the loss in a game during which the Astros' offense managed just one run. Thursday marked the first time this season that Teng has surrendered more than three runs in an outing, and the lack of swing-and-miss stuff ended his three-game stretch of recording six-plus strikeouts. He still holds a strong 3.06 ERA along with a 1.17 WHIP and 44:21 K:BB over 47 innings spanning 19 appearances (six starts).

Lange earned the save Thursday against the Twins, allowing one hit and one walk with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Kansas City recently shifting toward a matchup-based approach in the ninth inning, Lange was called upon again to protect a two-run lead. The right-hander worked around a hit and a walk, allowing the potential winning run to come to the plate before inducing a game-ending groundout from Brooks Lee to secure his second save of the season and his second in as many days. Lange has been effective lately, holding opponents scoreless in 10 of his last 11 appearances, and he could continue to see additional save opportunities if the Royals stick with their current committee approach. He owns a 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 28:15 K:BB across 28 innings.

Rogers (1-3) took the loss Thursday against the Royals, allowing two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning

Rogers entered with two outs in the eighth inning of a tie game and retired Vinnie Pasquantino to help end the frame. However, things unraveled when he returned for the ninth. The veteran left-hander allowed back-to-back singles to open the inning before a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, prompting his removal. Justin Lawrence was unable to bail him out, allowing both inherited runners to score and saddling Rogers with the loss. After posting nine consecutive scoreless appearances, Rogers has now allowed runs in two of his last three outings and owns a 4.63 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB across 23.1 innings this year, adding two saves and six holds.

Varland earned the save Thursday against Atlanta, striking out one and allowing no hits or walks over 1.1 scoreless innings.

He was called upon with two outs in the eighth inning and a one-run lead after Braydon Fisher allowed a run earlier in the frame. Varland the retired Ozzie Albies to escape the inning before Toronto's offense erupted for four runs in the ninth, giving him some breathing room. Varland then worked a clean 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure his ninth save in as many opportunities this season. The right-hander has been nearly untouchable in 2026, holding opponents without an earned run in 28 of his 29 appearances, with him currently carrying a 16-game streak. He now owns a microscopic 0.28 ERA alongside a 0.99 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB across 32.1 innings.

Manager Torey Lovullo revealed that Clarke is expected to return from the bereavement list Sunday versus the Nationals, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

With the right-hander returning Sunday, he will have spent the minimum three games on the bereavement list. Kade Strowd or Philip Abner are likely candidates to be sent down to make room for Clarke since they both joined the big club Thursday.

Sborz signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Sborz was released by the Rangers on Monday after putting up an 8.16 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 14.1 innings at Triple-A Round Rock. The 32-year-old righty will now return to the organization after testing the free-agent market, but he'll need to turn things around dramatically to have any chance at returning to the majors for the first time since 2024.

The White Sox reinstated Gilbert from the family medical emergency list Thursday.

Gilbert will rejoin the active roster after spending a few days away from the team to tend to a family emergency. He's given up four runs over 2.2 innings in the majors this season but owns a 2.12 ERA and 0.65 WHIP at Triple-A Charlotte since being sent down to the minors in mid-April. Chris Murphy was optioned to Charlotte in a corresponding move.