MLB Player News

The Cardinals designated Zimmermann for assignment before Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Zimmermann coughed up three earned runs in five innings while working in bulk relief during the first half of Tuesday's twin bill, and he'll lose his place on the 40-man roster now that his services are no longer needed. Jared Shuster will come up from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move to add bullpen depth.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Taillon (hamstring) is expected to make another rehab start before returning from the 15-day injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Though Taillon joined the team in Baltimore for the start of their six-game road trip, Counsell said that the right-hander won't be activated this week unless the Cubs lose one of their healthy starters to an injury and have to adjust the rotation on the fly. Assuming Taillon isn't needed, he'll report to an affiliate over the weekend to make the second start of his rehab assignment before returning from the IL following the All-Star break. Taillon made his first rehab start this past Sunday at High-A South Bend, tossing 3.1 innings and 45 pitches (32 strikes) while striking out two and allowing one run on four hits and zero walks.

The Padres recalled Brito from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.

Brito is slated to serve in a bulk relief capacity in Tuesday's game against Arizona. The right-hander missed all of the 2025 season and the early part of the current season following internal brace surgery on his elbow last May. In eight outings between Double-A San Antonio and El Paso, Brito collected a 1.46 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 27:14 K:BB in 37 innings.

Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said Sunday that Stephen (elbow) will undergo UCL surgery during the upcoming week, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Antonetti noted that a decision on whether Stephen requires a UCL repair or reconstruction will be determined once Dr. Keith Meister gets a chance to get a closer look at the right-hander's elbow before surgery is performed. Stephen will miss the rest of the season regardless of the specifics of his procedure, though a repair could shave a few months off his recovery timeline and give him a chance at returning to action at some point during the 2027 campaign. The 23-year-old submitted a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 49:23 K:BB in 55 innings over 12 starts for Double-A Akron before landing on the injured list June 10.

Triple-A Sugar Land placed Alexander on its 7-day injured list June 17 due to an unspecified injury.

After the Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A on May 27, the right-hander made two starts before landing on the shelf. He'll likely remain out through the All-Star break, though an official timeline for his return to the Sugar Land rotation has yet to be established. Alexander owns a 5.32 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 44 innings at Triple-A this season.

The Astros optioned Burrows to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Burrows tied a season worst with seven earned runs allowed Monday against the Nationals, giving him a 6.84 ERA and 5.9 K/9 across his past 10 appearances. The right-hander was acquired from the Pirates during the offseason after posting a 3.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 97:31 K:BB over 96 innings during 2025, but he'll likely need to get back on track at Sugar Land before getting another look in the Astros' rotation.

The Athletics recalled Lopez from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The left-hander was a rotation piece for the A's early this season, but he was optioned to Triple-A in early June after posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 38:33 K:BB across 50.1 innings. Lopez struggled in his first two starts with Las Vegas but rebounded by allowing just one run across 11.1 frames in his last two outings. He's likely to be available out of the bullpen, at least initially.

The Red Sox "remain hopeful" Suarez (adductor) can avoid the 15-day injured list, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Suarez was forced from Sunday's outing against the Angels in the third inning due to left adductor tightness. He will be re-evaluated Tuesday, at which point the Red Sox will have a better idea as to whether Suarez can make his next start which is tentatively lined up for Saturday against the Mets. With the All-Star break looming, the Red Sox could play it safe and hold Suarez out. Suarez made the All-Star team, but there's a good chance he'll be replaced on the AL roster.

Atlanta optioned Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

The right-hander was called up Monday and made his debut in the 10th inning against the Mets, taking the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) on a hit and a hit-by-pitch with one strikeout. Murphy will now return to Gwinnett, where he has a 3.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB across 11 starts (60.1 innings) this year.

Murphy (0-1) took the loss Monday, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit in the 10th inning as Atlanta fell 7-6 to the Mets. He struck out without walking a batter.

Making his big-league debut in a high-pressure spot, Murphy retired Francisco Lindor and Carson Benge to begin the frame before hitting Jared Young with a pitch and serving up a two-run double to Luis Torrens. The 22-year-old right-hander is in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024, and while he's working out of the bullpen for the big club, his future is still expected to be in the rotation -- over 11 starts since a promotion to Triple-A Gwinnett at the beginning of May, Murphy's posted a 3.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB in 60.1 innings.