MLB Player News

The Cubs are expected to recall Brown from Triple-A Iowa prior to Monday's game against the Royals, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Right-hander Ryan Brasier will open the game on the mound for Chicago, but he'll likely work just one or two innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Rogers speculates that Brown could be tasked with covering multiple frames behind Brasier, though Chris Flexen is also available to work in bulk relief after having not pitched since making a four-inning start versus the Yankees on July 11. The Cubs will have a permanent opening in the rotation until Jameson Taillon (calf) returns from the injured list, but the team could look to the trade market to fill the void ahead of the July 31 deadline rather than counting on Brown to reclaim a starting role. In 16 outings (14 starts) with the Cubs this season, Brown owns a 6.13 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 79.1 innings.

Marquez was lifted after three innings in his start in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Twins due to right shoulder inflammation, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports. "I'm feeling a little bit of inflammation in the front of my shoulder," Marquez said after the game. "It started bugging me when I pitched in Cincinnati [on July 11] and I didn't recover well. I couldn't get hot. And my [velocity] was down, too."

Marquez dropped to 3-11 on the season Sunday, allowing three earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two in the 58-pitch outing. Though Marquez noted that he doesn't have a history of shoulder inflammation and hadn't yet had met with the Rockies' team trainer for further evaluation, the right-hander's availability for his next turn through the rotation next weekend in Baltimore is now up in the air. If Marquez requires a stint on the injured list, Triple-A Albuquerque starters Ryan Feltner, Chase Dollander, Tanner Gordon and Carson Palmquist would appear to be the main candidates to replace him in the rotation.

Horton didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Boston, allowing two hits and three walks across 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Horton has endured a rollercoaster stretch on the mound, logging three scoreless starts in his last six appearances while allowing at least four runs in the other three. Despite some excellent individual performances, Horton hasn't added a tally to the win column in seven outings. Overall, the 23-year-old owns a 4.04 ERA and a 47:21 K:BB across 62.1 innings. He's slated to make his next start against the White Sox.

Pivetta (10-2) earned the win against the Nationals on Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts over six innings.

Pivetta was given an early lead and ran with it, with his only blemish being a solo homer in the fifth inning. The 32-year-old has now delivered four quality starts while allowing just two earned runs over his last five turns, a stretch that includes an impressive 36:6 K:BB. He'll take a 2.81 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 127:30 K:BB across 115.1 innings this season into a road matchup with the Cardinals next weekend.

Heaney (4-9) yielded seven runs on nine hits and two walks over four-plus innings Sunday, striking out one and taking a loss against the White Sox.

Heaney struggled right out of the gate Sunday, coughing up four runs in the first inning. All four runs came via the long ball; Miguel Vargas ripped a three-run shot before Mike Tauchman knocked a solo homer just two pitches later. The White Sox later scored another run in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth, all being charged to Heaney. Heaney produced a 3.33 ERA through his first 14 starts of the year but has been tagged with 28 runs over his last 23.2 frames, driving his season ERA up to 5.03 across 102 innings. Heaney is 1-6 with a 7.58 ERA over his last 10 outings. Heaney is projected for a home matchup against the Diamondbacks next weekend.

Gore (4-9) took the loss against the Padres on Sunday, allowing eight runs on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 2.1 innings.

Gore allowed five runs in the first inning and never recovered in what was his worst outing of the season. He threw 46 of 75 pitches for strikes and generated just seven whiffs while allowing multiple homers for the first time since May 11. It was only the second time in 20 starts that the southpaw failed to complete at least five frames, and just the fourth time he's allowed more than three earned runs. He'll take a 3.59 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 140:38 K:BB across 112.2 innings into a road matchup with the Twins next weekend.

Marquez (3-11) took the loss Sunday against Minnesota, surrendering three earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two over three innings.

Marquez struggled with command and efficiency Sunday, issuing four walks and allowing all three of his runs in a rough third inning capped off by a two-run homer to Matt Wallner. It marked just the second time in his last seven starts that the right-hander has allowed more than two runs, but his early exit showed signs of him reverting back to a frustrating trend during a difficult season. The 30-year-old now sports a 5.67 ERA and 1.64 WHIP through 98.1 innings. With losses in three of his last five outings, Marquez has failed to find a rhythm and remains an inconsistent arm.

Peterson did not factor in the decision during Sunday's win over the Reds. He allowed an unearned run on four hits and a walk over six innings while striking out four.

Peterson gave up an unearned run in the first inning but settled in and rolled through five scoreless frames to finish his outing. He forced 12 swinging strikes on 93 total pitches, including six with his slider. Peterson has delivered three straight quality starts in July after coughing up a combined 10 runs in 8.2 innings during his last two June appearances. He ended June with a 3.30 ERA and has since dropped it to 2.90 alongside a 97:38 K:BB through 115 frames. Peterson is lined up for a start in San Francisco next weekend.

Abbott did not factor in the decision during Sunday's loss to the Mets. He allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings while striking out five.

Abbott coughed up a run in each of the third and fifth innings during his quality start Sunday. He threw 66 of 95 pitches for strikes and forced 11 whiffs, including five with his fastball. Abbott has given up three runs over 13.2 innings in his last two appearances after being tagged with four runs in his shortest outing of the year against the Phillies on July 4. Despite that hiccup, he's allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his last seven outings, resulting in a 2.06 ERA during that span. Abbott owns an impressive 2.13 ERA with an 88:25 K:BB across 97.1 frames. He's lined up to face the Rays at home next weekend.

Suarez (7-4) took the loss against the Angels on Sunday, allowing six runs on eight hits and four walks with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

Suarez was mostly undone by a five-run second inning but struggled throughout the contest, throwing just 58 of 100 pitches for strikes while issuing four walks for the first time in 14 starts. It marked a rare hiccup for the southpaw, who hadn't allowed more than three earned runs in an outing since his season debut. He'll carry a 2.66 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 82:26 K:BB across 88 innings into a road matchup with the Yankees next weekend.