The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Assad was called up to start Friday's game against the Halos, and he'll be sent right back to Triple-A in favor of Jordan Wicks. Assad has a 3.86 ERA in three starts with Chicago this season, and an even better 2.93 ERA in four starts with Iowa.

Junk left Saturday's game against the Blue Jays in the sixth inning due to right forearm discomfort, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Junk didn't have the chance to finish the sixth inning, ending his start having allowed three runs on six hits and one walk across 5.2 innings while recording three strikeouts. Junk's departure came after 92 pitches. Expect the 29-year-old to undergo further evaluations throughout the next 24 hours or so. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Thursday against the Mets.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday that Montas' (elbow) UCL injury will spell an end to the right-hander's season and could require Tommy John surgery, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

After a rough stretch of starts, Montas was demoted to the bullpen earlier this month and had surrendered four runs (two earned) in five innings over his two relief appearances before landing on the 15-day injured list earlier Saturday. Though the Mets have already ruled Montas out for the season, his availability for the start of spring training will remain uncertain until a decision is made regarding whether or not he'll require surgery. Montas holds a $17 million player option for 2026 that he'll most likely exercise this offseason.

The Dodgers placed Snell on the paternity list Saturday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Snell was stuck with a loss in Friday's start, and he'll step away from the team temporarily for personal reasons. The move shouldn't impact Snell's next start, as MLB rules dictate he can only be on the paternity list for up to three days. The Dodgers activated Kirby Yates (back) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Mets placed Montas on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Aug. 22, due to a right elbow UCL injury.

Montas didn't make his 2025 debut until late June after suffering a lat strain in spring training. Two months later, Montas is headed back to the injured list with an unspecified injury to his UCL. The 32-year-old was recently moved to the bullpen and hadn't pitched since Aug. 15. The Mets recalled Huascar Brazoban from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.

The Phillies announced Saturday that Wheeler (shoulder) will undergo season-ending thoracic outlet decompression surgery, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports. He's expected to face a recovery timeline of 6-to-8 months.

Wheeler was placed on the injured list a week ago after doctors discovered a blood clot in his throwing shoulder, which he had removed in a procedure Monday. Since then, he's been diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which will require a more significant surgery. Given the estimated 6-to-8-month recovery timeline, Wheeler's availability for Opening Day in 2026 now appears to be in doubt. Before being shut down last week, the 35-year-old righty had been a leading candidate for the 2025 NL Cy Young Award, posting a 10-5 record, 2.71 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 195:33 K:BB across 149.2 innings.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed that Horton (finger) will start Saturday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, MLB.com reports.

During his most recent start in Monday's loss to the Brewers, Horton was lifted in the third inning due to a minor blister on his pitching hand. Counsell acknowledged that the rookie had dealt with a blister in the same spot in the past, but the righty apparently checked out fine during his between-starts bullpen session and will take the hill Saturday for his 18th outing of the season. Horton has been the Cubs' top-performing starter since the All-Star break, going 4-1 with an 0.58 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB in 31 innings.

Freeland (finger) is slated to start Saturday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Freeland developed a blister on his pitching hand during his most recent outing in Monday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers, but it apparently didn't prevent him from completing his between-starts bullpen session. He'll return to the mound on his standard four days' rest and shouldn't face any restrictions as he takes the hill for his 24th start of the season.

Fedde worked in long relief during Friday's 12-7 loss to the Mets, covering 4.1 innings and striking out one batter while allowing six earned runs on 11 hits and two walks.

After being acquired from the Cardinals on July 27, Fedde stepped into the Atlanta rotation but fared poorly over his four starts with the club, netting a 7.11 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 12:11 K:BB in 19 innings. With Atlanta claiming Cal Quantrill off waivers from Miami on Thursday and inserting him into the rotation Saturday, Fedde was moved to the bullpen for the weekend series and was put to work Friday after starter Joey Wentz was chased from the game midway through the fourth inning. Though he spared the rest of the bullpen from overuse, Fedde was knocked around during his 93-pitch appearance and is unlikely to see opportunities in high-leverage spots anytime soon.

Quantrill is slated to start Saturday's game against the Mets at Truist Park, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Erick Fedde had been in line to start this weekend, but he ended up getting moved to the bullpen to open up a rotation spot for Quantrill, whom Atlanta claimed off waivers from Miami on Thursday. Before getting cut by the Marlins, Quantrill had endured a disappointing 2025 campaign, posting a 5.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 82:30 K:BB in 109.2 innings. An impending free agent this winter, Quantrill will look to pitch well over the final five weeks of the season with the hope of earning a rotation spot with Atlanta or another club heading into 2026.