MLB Player News

Atlanta recalled Ritchie from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

One day after being optioned to Triple-A, Ritchie will rejoin Atlanta after Martin Perez exited his start in Sunday's loss to the Mets due to a forearm contusion and was moved to the 15-day injured list. Though the loss of Perez creates a need for a fifth starter, Bryce Elder is expected to slot back into the rotation during the upcoming week after having his previous turn skipped. As such, Ritchie will serve as a multi-inning option out of the Atlanta bullpen for the team's final seven games before the All-Star break, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Atlanta placed Perez on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a left forearm contusion.

Perez exited his start in Sunday's loss to the Mets after being struck in the pitching arm by a line drive. An X-ray and CT scan cleared Perez of any broken bones, but the southpaw will receive at least a couple weeks of down time to overcome soreness.

Atlanta selected Murphy's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

The 22-year-old Murphy has made 16 starts this season between Double-A Columbus and Gwinnett, registering a 4.44 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 92:38 K:BB over 81 innings. Murphy has never made a relief appearance in professional ball, but Atlanta is expected to deploy him as a long man out of the bullpen to begin his time in the majors, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Cabrera (hamstring) resumed a throwing program this weekend, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Cabrera is limited to playing catch, but after the Cubs came away encouraged by how his strained hamstring responded over the weekend, he could advance to throwing off a mound later this week before the team heads into the All-Star break. The right-hander probably won't be ready to return from the 15-day injured list immediately coming out of the break, but he'll have a shot at rejoining the Chicago rotation before the end of July if he steers clear of any setbacks with his hamstring while building back up.

Lowder will pitch out of the bullpen until the All-Star break, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox19 Now reports. "When we get to next Sunday, we'll see where we're at and map it out from there," Reds manager Terry Francona said over the weekend. "We're not trying to make Lowder a bullpen guy. We're trying to figure out ways to protect our staff, win games and get through this next week."

Lowder's transition to the bullpen was triggered by the return of Hunter Greene to the rotation. Lowder is expected to provide length as a reliever but could also get use in high-leverage spots when a right-hander is needed.

Nola (3-6) took the loss Sunday against the Royals, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out seven over seven innings.

Nola was tagged for two runs in the first inning after Kansas City recorded three hits through five batters, but he settled in nicely from there. The veteran allowed just one more run over his final six innings and finished strong by striking out the side in the seventh. It marked his longest outing of the season, and he generated an impressive 19 whiffs. The performance was a much-needed rebound after he was tagged for a season-high eight runs in his previous start against the Pirates. Nola remains hard to trust in fantasy, owning a 5.87 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 94:29 K:BB across 92 innings. He is scheduled to face the Tigers on the road next.

Sheehan (4-6) took the loss Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against the Padres. He struck out five.

The right-hander was mostly effective, holding the Padres to just one run, though after throwing 96 pitches (60 strikes) and surrendering a one-out double to Fernando Tatis, the Dodgers opted to pull Sheehan in the fifth inning. While the 26-year-old didn't provide significant length and was charged with the loss, his game-high 15 whiffs and ability to keep the ball in the yard were encouraging in what has been a disappointing campaign. Sheehan will take a 4.91 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 86:25 K:BB across 77 innings (16 starts) into his next start, tentatively scheduled for next Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Sears (2-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing a hit and two walks over five scoreless innings against the Dodgers. He struck out five.

With the Padres looking to snap an eight-game losing streak, Sears stepped up and silenced the vaunted Dodgers offense over five shutout frames. The southpaw has spent the majority of the 2026 campaign with Triple-A El Paso but has been called upon to fill a spot in the big-league rotation due to a rash of injuries. Sears will take a 4.70 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB across 15.1 innings (three starts) into his next outing, tentatively scheduled for Friday against the Blue Jays.

Perez (5-6) struck out eight over seven perfect innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Sunday.

Perez didn't get a chance to go for history, as manager Clayton McCullough pulled the right-hander at 92 pitches (56 strikes). Lake Bachar then made a mess of things in the eighth inning, and Pete Fairbanks struggled in the ninth, but the Marlins had just enough of a cushion to escape with the win. Perez has allowed just two runs over 17 innings across three starts since he returned from a right gracilis muscle strain. He's at a 3.84 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 89:32 K:BB through 79.2 innings over 15 starts this season. Perez is projected to make his next start at home versus the Guardians.

Rodriguez (7-3) allowed two runs on five hits and struck out three without walking a batter over six-plus innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Brewers.

Rodriguez blanked the Brewers for six innings, but he served up a two-run home run to Jake Bauers in the seventh. This was Rodriguez's fourth straight quality start, a span in which he's allowed just four runs over 26.2 innings. He's also avoided walking any batters over his last two outings. For the season, the left-hander is at a 2.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 74:38 K:BB through 108 innings across 18 starts. Rodriguez is lined up to make his next start in a tough test on the road versus the Dodgers.