MLB Player News

Suzuki is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

Suzuki is sporting just a .182/.312/.286 batting line with two home runs in 22 contests since the All-Star break. Owen Caissie is in the designated-hitter spot in his major-league debut Thursday, and while it's unlikely Caissie will displace Suzuki in the lineup on a regular basis, he could eat into the latter's playing time a bit as the Cubs look to jumpstart a sluggish offense.

Crow-Armstrong is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

Crow-Armstrong has had a dreadful start to August, going 3-for-41 with a 15:0 K:BB. He will get a breather Thursday to regroup while Willi Castro patrols center field for the Cubs.

The Nationals activated Crews (oblique) from the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Crews is finally ready to rejoin the active roster after missing almost three months with a left oblique strain. The 23-year-old had been a major disappointment before getting hurt, slashing .196/.266/.354 with seven home runs, 11 stolen bases and a 27.7 percent strikeout rate. Still, the upside with Crews warrants scooping him back up in fantasy leagues where he's available.

Assad is slated to start Sunday's game against the Pirates at Wrigley Field, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Assad had spent the entire season on the shelf while recovering from a left oblique strain before he returned from the 60-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays. The right-hander endured a rough 2025 debut, taking a loss while allowing four earned runs on eight hits and one walk over four innings. Though Assad will be in line for at least one more start Sunday, his stay in the big-league rotation could soon come to an end with Jameson Taillon (calf) tracking toward a return from the injured list next week.

Laureano went 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk, three total runs and two total RBI in an 11-1 victory against the Giants on Wednesday.

Laureano's homer in the rout was a two-run blast in the fifth inning that made the score 10-0. The veteran outfielder already has the second-most homers (17) and RBI (56) of his career through 94 games, and he could reach his respective career-best marks of 24 and 67 that he set with the A's in 2019. Laureano has been especially potent since joining San Diego at the trade deadline, slashing .333/.400/.600 with two home runs, 10 RBI, nine runs and a stolen base through 12 contests.

Beck allowed one earned run on three hits while striking out one across two innings in Wednesday's 11-1 loss to the Padres.

Beck retired the side in order in the sixth inning but surrendered three singles and a run in the seventh, throwing 22 of his 32 pitches for strikes. The 29-year-old has appeared in nine games since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento, recording a 4.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 7:3 K:BB across 12.1 innings during that span. Overall, the right-hander owns a 5.17 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and an 18:10 K:BB across 31.1 innings in 19 outings this season.

Lee went 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored in Wednesday's 11-1 loss to the Padres.

Lee tripled to right field in the seventh inning before coming around to score the Giants' lone run. The 26-year-old outfielder has recorded at least one hit in three consecutive games and has hit safely in 11 of 12 games overall this month. He's slashing .333/.362/.533 with nine runs scored, five doubles, three RBI, two triples, one stolen base and a 10.6 percent strikeout rate across 47 plate appearances in August.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Graterol (shoulder) is unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list this season, MLB writer Mike DiGiovanna reports.

Graterol has been out all season after undergoing labrum surgery on his right shoulder last November. Roberts noted that Graterol is not currently throwing, suggesting the hurler suffered a setback at some point. Graterol will be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this offseason, but he could be a non-tender candidate, given his checkered history on the health front.

The Cubs placed Amaya (ankle) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After making his return to action in Wednesday's win over the Blue Jays following an extended stay on the 60-day IL due to an oblique strain, Amaya sprained his left ankle when he landed awkwardly on first base. He had to be carted off the field, and while X-rays returned negative, Amaya could require additional testing as the Cubs look to determine the severity of his ankle sprain. With Amaya back on the shelf, Carson Kelly will continue serving as the Cubs' primary catcher and will be backed up by Reese McGuire.

The Cubs recalled Caissie from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 23-year-old slashed an impressive .291/.391/.567 with 22 home runs over 402 plate appearances this season at Iowa to earn his first look in the majors. How frequently Caissie ultimately plays with the big club will be a question mark. Caissie is limited to the corner outfield and designated hitter, and the Cubs have all of Kyle Tucker, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki at full health and available to fill out those three spots on an everyday basis. The rookie is starting in the DH spot and batting fifth in his major-league debut Thursday in Toronto.