MLB Player News

Manager Craig Counsell said Suzuki (knee) will not play every day initially after being activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Suzuki suffered a strained PCL in the World Baseball Classic nearly a month ago, and the Cubs want to make sure not to push him too hard in the early going. The 30-year-old was equally effective against both left- and right-handed pitching last season, so both Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto are about equally likely to get chances to fill in for Suzuki in right field when he's being rested.

Ritchie has posted a 1.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings over three starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this season.

The 22-year-old right-hander is coming off his best outing of the year so far Tuesday, allowing just one run over seven innings against Nashville with a 7:1 K:BB. Ritchie isn't yet on the 40-man roster and may be behind Didier Fuentes in the pecking order for a promotion as a result if Atlanta needs rotation help, but he's building a string case to make his big-league debut at some point in 2026.

The Reds optioned Franco to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Franco made his MLB debut with the Reds on March 30 and worked three games out of the bullpen, registering a 3.18 ERA, 2.12 WHIP and 4:5 K:BB across 5.2 innings. He'll need to work on his command in the minors. In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled Kyle Nicolas from Louisville.

Fuentes has a 0.00 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB through 9.2 innings in his first two starts of the season for Triple-A Gwinnett.

The 20-year-old began the year in the big-league bullpen, but since being optioned to Gwinnett, Fuentes has dominated Triple-A hitters. He's likely first in line for a promotion when Atlanta needs rotation help, but with Reynaldo Lopez not set to miss a turn after having his suspension reduced to five games from seven and Martin Perez looking at least adequate so far as the fifth starter, Fuentes may need to bide his time in the International League.

The Reds recalled Nicolas from Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Cincinnati optioned Jose Franco in a corresponding move. Nicolas was acquired from the Pirates during spring training and will make his Reds debut in his next appearance. The right-hander turned in a 4.74 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB across 38 innings with Pittsburgh last season.

The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Roberts will take the place of Phil Maton (knee) in the bullpen. Roberts worked 10 games out of the Cubs' bullpen last season, logging a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB across nine innings.

The Cubs designated Carlson for assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The move clears room on the 26-man roster for Seiya Suzuki, who was activated from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move Friday. Carlson went 0-for-4 with one run scored and a pair of strikeouts across three appearances with Chicago.

The Cubs activated Suzuki (knee) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Suzuki will be available to make his season debut Friday against the Pirates after he suffered a right knee strain with Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic back on March 14. The 31-year-old outfielder missed the Cubs' first 12 games of the season, and his return should mean less playing time for Michael Conforto and Matt Shaw.

The Cubs placed Maton on the 15-day injured list Friday with right knee tendinitis, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

With Maton headed to the IL, Ethan Roberts has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take his spot in the bullpen. Maton has an ugly 13.50 ERA, 2.50 WHIP and 5:4 K:BB across four innings.

Lowe is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

With left-hander Shota Imanaga on the mound for the Cubs, Lowe will take a seat. Nick Gonzales is getting the start at second base and batting fifth for Pittsburgh. Lowe is slashing .220/.333/.488 with three home runs, four RBI, four runs scored and a 7:10 BB:K across 48 trips to the plate but is batting just .130 with a .405 OPS over the last seven days.