MLB Player News

Assad tossed a perfect inning of relief Sunday in the Cubs' 10-2 win over the Royals.

Assad had started in both of his previous two appearances, but he looks poised to stick in a relief role after the Cubs acquired Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes prior to Aug. 3 trade deadline and broke them into the rotation last week. Pitching out of the bullpen for the first time since July 25, Assad made quick work of the Royals, needing just five pitches to retire the side and close out the blowout win. Expect most of Assad's opportunities moving forward to come in lower-leverage situations.

Henderson (elbow) tossed 4.2 hitless innings Sunday in his 2026 debut at Triple-A Memphis after being reinstated from the 60-day injured list.

Henderson was effectively wild, managing to hold Nashville off the scoreboard despite walking four and not recording a strikeout. The left-hander entered the Memphis rotation following four rehab starts, as he missed the first three months of the season with a flexor strain. Henderson doesn't have wipeout stuff but has been highly effective thus far in the minors, having posted a 2.59 ERA and 134:51 K:BB over 132 innings covering 25 starts with Double-A Springfield in 2025.

Webb did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Tigers, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two over eight innings.

Webb allowed just one hit through his first five innings before Detroit opened the sixth with back-to-back singles, eventually leading to his lone run allowed. Despite the excellent outing, San Francisco's offense managed only one run in the extra-inning loss. Webb has been an absolute workhorse since the beginning of June, completing at least six innings in 11 of his 12 starts, including four outings of eight innings. His swing-and-miss ability remains modest with a 10 percent swinging-strike rate, but a groundball rate north of 50 percent continues to make him a strong contributor in the ratio categories.

Melton did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Giants, allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out five over six innings.

Melton threw 60 of his 92 pitches for strikes and generated 14 whiffs while never facing more than four batters in an inning. He held San Francisco scoreless through six frames before returning for the seventh and issuing a leadoff walk to Rafael Devers, prompting his exit. Melton watched from the dugout as a run eventually scored on an error. The right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run across his last three starts (20 innings) and owns a 3-0 record with a 0.64 ERA since the beginning of July. Through 80 innings this season, Melton boasts a stellar 1.46 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 69:24 K:BB. He's tentatively scheduled to face the White Sox on Saturday.

Javier (1-3) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Padres.

Javier threw 62 of 86 pitches for strikes, but he was a little too hittable on some occasions. Fernando Tatis' three-run blast in the fourth inning was the difference, and Jackson Merrill had a solo shot in the second. Javier has allowed seven runs over 11 innings in his last two starts after pitching five scoreless innings in relief against the Angels on July 27. Javier has a 6.68 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB through 10 outings (six starts) this season. Assuming he stays in the rotation, he's tentatively projected to make his next appearance at home versus the Mariners.

Rocker (4-9) took the loss Sunday against the Orioles, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over three innings.

Rocker was in trouble from the outset, surrendering four hits and two runs in the first inning before Colton Cowser and Pete Alonso homered in the second. In the fourth, Rocker walked the leadoff batter, prompting his exit. Sunday was his shortest start since lasting two innings against Detroit on May 2. It marked the right-hander's third outing this season allowing at least six earned runs. Rocker now owns a 4.46 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 103:42 K:BB across 111 innings and will look to rebound in his next scheduled start Friday against the Athletics.

Povich did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Rangers, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings.

Povich opened with two scoreless frames while Baltimore's offense spotted him a five-run lead, but he couldn't maintain the momentum. After allowing a hit and a walk in the third, he surrendered a three-run homer to Brandon Nimmo that accounted for all of the damage against him. The outing was a stark contrast to his first start since returning to the rotation, when he delivered six scoreless innings. Through 28.1 major-league innings this season, Povich owns a 4.45 ERA with a 21:10 K:BB. He's currently slated to start Saturday against the Rays, though Chris Bassitt's (back) impending return from the injured list could alter those plans.

Vasquez (8-6) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win over the Astros on Sunday.

Vasquez put just two runners on base, as he allowed a single to Taylor Trammell and a home run to Daulton Varsho in the second inning. Beyond that, it was another decent start for Vasquez, who has started his last two appearances. He's pitching to contact without getting burned for now -- he has just four strikeouts over his last 15.2 innings. On the year, he's maintained a 4.16 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 66:31 K:BB through 106 innings over 23 games (19 starts). Vasquez should get at least one more turn through the rotation while Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) work their way back. The next outing for Vasquez is projected to be on the road in Cleveland.

Taillon is listed as the Blue Jays' probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the Red Sox at Rogers Centre.

After being acquired from the Cubs on Aug. 2, Taillon made his Blue Jays debut three days later and took a no-decision against the Astros, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. The 34-year-old should be able to stick around in the rotation until one of Trey Yesavage (knee) or Spencer Arrighetti (foot) are activated from the injured list, but Taillon has offered little reason to get inspired about his fantasy prospects. Over 16 starts this season, he's surrendered a whopping 26 home runs in 80 innings and has supplied a 5.96 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 72:29 K:BB.

Nola (knee) is listed as the Phillies' probable pitcher Thursday against the Twins in the 2026 MLB at Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa.

Nola sustained a right knee contusion after he was struck by a 104.8-mph comebacker during the sixth inning of his previous start Saturday versus the Blue Jays, but the injury is viewed as a mild concern that won't keep him from making his next turn through the rotation. Though he's continued to strike out more than a batter per inning in his age-33 season, Nola has done more harm than good for fantasy managers. He's notched just three wins in 24 starts and has served up a MLB-high 29 home runs, which has played a large part in inflating both his ERA (5.47) and WHIP (1.45).