MLB Player News

Cijntje (hamstring) is listed as Triple-A Memphis' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against Jacksonville.

Cijntje battled a right hamstring injury during his previous start Thursday, but it doesn't look like it will keep him from making his next turn through the Triple-A rotation. Since being promoted from Double-A Springfield to Memphis on July 15, Cijntje has submitted a 6.29 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB in 24.1 innings over five starts.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Steele (elbow) is close to being cleared to face hitters, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Steele had UCL revision surgery last May and was nearing a rehab assignment when he suffered a flexor strain in late April. He resumed throwing off the mound Aug. 1 and is nearly ready to face hitters, presumably in a live batting practice session. Steele won't have enough time to ramp up for a starter's workload, but he has a chance to help the Cubs as a reliever in September.

Ryan (glute) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Ryan tossed all sinkers and fastballs in the session, which represents a step forward in the right-hander's recovery from a mild left glute strain. Manager Derek Shelton came away pleased with how Ryan looked Tuesday but he was careful to note that the bullpen session was the "first step in the progression to getting him back." With that in mind, the Twins may want to see Ryan face live hitters before clearing him to return from the 15-day injured list.

Cortes (biceps) agreed Wednesday with the Phillies on a major-league contract, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 31-year-old southpaw had been unsigned since the end of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery in October to repair a tendon tear in his throwing arm, but he's made a full recovery from the procedure and recently threw for multiple teams. He'll elect to continue his career with the Phillies, who didn't add to their rotation ahead of trade deadline and are lacking in dependable arms beyond their elite trio of starters (Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo). Cortes will first report to the Phillies' Single-A affiliate in Clearwater, but once he's stretched out enough to handle five innings, he could supplant Andrew Painter (6.43 ERA, 1.55 WHIP over 85.1 innings) as the Phillies' No. 5 starter.

Wheeler didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Marlins, giving up two runs on two hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

While he had trouble finding the plate consistently and threw only 57 of 98 pitches for strikes, Wheeler didn't allow much hard contact aside from a Griffin Conine solo shot in the second inning. The seven Ks were his highest total since July 21, but the three-time All-Star remains winless since the All-Star break, going 0-3 in six outings with a 5.60 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB through 27.1 innings. Wheeler will look to get back in the win column in his next start, which is set to come on the road early next week in Seattle.

Abbott (6-8) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings as the Reds were downed 3-0 by the Cardinals. He struck out six.

The southpaw delivered his 11th quality start of the season on 98 pitches (68 strikes) in his best effort so far in August, tying his career high in QS in the process, but Cincinnati's offense couldn't solve Kyle Leahy and the St. Louis bullpen. Abbott has won just one of his last 10 starts, going 1-4 over that stretch with a 4.45 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 44:27 K:BB in 54.2 innings. He'll look to build on this performance in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Arizona.

Leahy (10-4) picked up the win in Tuesday's 3-0 victory over the Reds, scattering three hits over five scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander fired 57 of 90 pitches for strikes and only allowed one runner to even reach second base against him, before Leahy handed the ball off to his bullpen to complete the shutout. It's the fourth time in his last 10 starts that Leahy has blanked the opposition, and over that span he's gone 5-0 with a stellar 1.38 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 52:9 K:BB through 52.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come this weekend on the road in Philadelphia.

Baz (4-13) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings as the Orioles fell 3-1 to the Yankees. He struck out 10.

The right-hander reached double-digit strikeouts for the first time this season as he produced his 11th quality start, tying his career high, but Baz got little support from his offense. The reduced velocity he displayed in his previous outing also didn't seem to be an issue, as he topped out at 97.8 mph with his four-seam fastball. Despite the strong performance, Baz still hasn't won a game since June 12, and since the All-Star break he's gone 0-4 with a 3.44 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 33:7 K:BB over 34 innings and six starts. He'll look to break that streak of futility in his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home this weekend in a revenge game against the Rays.

Rodon didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Orioles, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four.

Making his first start since June 28 after recovering from elbow inflammation, Rodon was limited to 66 pitches (39 strikes) but looked good, with the only blemish on his line coming from a Coby Mayo solo shot in the third inning. Rodon still hasn't taken a loss since May 21 and hasn't given up more than three runs in any of his 10 outings this season, resulting in a 3.22 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 56:28 K:BB through 50.1 innings. The veteran southpaw will look to get back in the win column in his next start, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Blue Jays.

Wilkinson is scheduled to make his major-league debut Wednesday in Cleveland.

The Giants acquired Wilkinson from the Guardians back in May in the Patrick Bailey trade, and now the big lefty will make his major-league debut against his former organization. Following a promotion from Double-A Richmond, Wilkinson collected a 5.15 ERA and 43:17 K:BB over 43.2 innings covering 10 starts with Triple-A Sacramento. Wilkinson could receive additional starts down the stretch as the Giants look to see how he might fit into their roster picture for 2027.