MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Friday's loss to the Cardinals that Hendricks is likely to take Jordan Wicks' (oblique) spot in the rotation, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Hendricks came on in relief for the injured Wicks in the second inning Friday and tossed 4.1 scoreless frames. The veteran right-hander has been disastrous on the whole this season with an 8.20 ERA, but he hasn't been scored upon over his last 8.2 innings out of the bullpen. Hendricks would tentatively be lined up to start Wednesday at home versus the Giants.

The Cubs placed Wicks on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right oblique strain, Taylor McGregor reports.

Wicks had to be pulled from Friday's start against the Cardinals in the second inning due to the injury. It's unclear what grade the strain is, so it's difficult to project a return date. Typically, even low-grade oblique strains result in absences beyond the minimum 15 days. Kyle Hendricks will slide into Wicks' rotation spot.

Henry is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Scott McGough in Saturday's game against the White Sox, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

After being called up from Triple-A Reno last Sunday, Henry worked behind McGough and picked up a win against the Padres, despite giving up two earned runs over three hits and two walks over 2.1 innings. Henry hasn't been used since that relief outing, so he should be able to give Arizona plenty of length once McGough exits Saturday's contest.

Manaea (4-3) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over five-plus innings in a 2-1 victory over the Padres. He struck out seven.

The veteran southpaw did serve up a homer for the fifth straight start, a solo shot in the fifth inning by Jackson Merrill, but it was the only damage Manaea surrendered. It was a strong bounce-back effort after he'd been tagged for 11 earned runs in 9.1 frames over his prior two outings, and Manaea will take a 4.11 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 67:26 K:BB through 65.2 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week against the Rangers.

Strider (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Strider is already set to miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign after undergoing elbow surgery in April, so the move to the 60-day IL doesn't affect his outlook. The right-hander will still have his sights set on a return at some point early in the 2025 season; in the meantime, Saturday's transaction opened a spot on the 40-man roster for Ramon Laureano, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Waldron (4-6) took the loss Friday as the Padres were downed 2-1 by the Mets, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out two.

The knuckleballer delivered his fourth straight quality start while lasting seven innings for just the second time this season, but San Diego's offense gave little support. Waldron has gone seven straight outings in which he's pitched at least five innings and allowed two runs or fewer, posting a stellar 1.91 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB through 42.1 innings over that stretch. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Philadelphia.

Suarez came away with a no-decision in Friday's 5-3 extra-innings win over the Orioles, allowing one run on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

The southpaw delivered his ninth quality start of the season on 88 pitches (57 strikes), but Suarez was denied his 11th win in a wild affair that saw half the game's runs cross the plate after the ninth inning. Since his nine-start win streak ended in late May, the 28-year-old has posted a 3.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB through 20.1 innings over four outings. Suarez's next scheduled trip to the mound is a home tilt next week against the Padres.

Stone allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Royals on Friday.

Stone's three-start winning streak was snapped, but he picked up his first quality start over three outings in June. The right-hander has been steady this year -- this was just the fourth time in 13 starts he's given up three or more runs. He's now at a 3.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 56:23 K:BB over 74.2 innings. Stone is projected to make his next start at Colorado.

Nelson (4-5) earned the win Friday against the White Sox, allowing one run on six hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out eight.

Nelson collected his third quality start of the season as he generated 13 whiffs en route to a season-high eight punchouts. The Arizona righty was especially sharp in this 95-pitch outing, as his entire pitch arsenal displayed increased velocity, led by a slider that was 2.1 mph faster than average. With this one-run performance, Nelson lowered his season ERA to 5.49. He is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Nationals on the road.

Greene (5-2) allowed two runs on three hits and five walks over five innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the Brewers.

Greene coughed up a solo homer to William Contreras in the third inning before Milwaukee scratched across another run in the fifth. Greene generated 14 swinging strikes but struggled with his command, matching his season high with five walks. He needed 105 pitches to complete five frames. Greene is sporting a 3.61 ERA with an 89:37 K:BB through 14 starts this season. His next outing is lined up to come in Pittsburgh.