MLB Player News

The Cubs placed Thornton on the paternity list Tuesday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Per MLB rules, Thornton will be allowed to miss up to three games while he welcomes a new addition to his family. In the meantime, Tyler Ferguson will come up from Triple-A to fill the open spot in Chicago's bullpen.

Ruiz is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Giants.

Drew Millas has the start behind the plate and is batting eighth Tuesday while Ruiz sits on the bench. Ruiz has gone 3-for-10 with two doubles over his last three games.

Mead is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Giants.

Mead went 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and a strikeout in the series opener against the Giants on Monday. He'll rest Tuesday as Jorbit Vivas starts at third base and bats sixth.

Crews is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Giants.

Crews had started in each of the last six games, going 3-for-24 with no walks, a home run and three RBI. Daylen Lile, Jacob Young and James Wood are the starting outfielders for the Nationals on Tuesday as Crews gets some rest.

The Cubs optioned Alcantara to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 23-year-old outfielder will lose his place on the active roster to make room for Matt Shaw's return from the injured list. Alcantara owns a .906 OPS across 180 plate appearances in the minors, but he's gone just 1-for-9 with a walk and four strikeouts in 12 games at the major-league level this year.

Gilbert is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Nationals.

The Nationals are sending southpaw Andrew Alvarez to the mound Tuesday, so the left-handed-hitting Gilbert will take a seat. Jonah Cox gets the start in center field, batting ninth.

The Cubs reinstated Shaw (back) from the injured list Tuesday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Shaw has been on the shelf since late May due to back tightness, but he's been cleared to return after going 4-for-14 with an RBI, two runs and a steal in four rehab games at Triple-A Iowa. The 24-year-old has slashed just .242/.291/.400 across 104 plate appearances this season, though he could still receive an uptick in playing time with Nico Hoerner, Alex Bregman and Dansby Swanson all struggling offensively as of late. Kevin Alcantara was optioned to Iowa in a corresponding move.

The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

With Jameson Taillon (hamstring) moving to the injured list Tuesday, Roberts will come up from Triple-A to give the Cubs some extra bullpen depth. The 28-year-old righty has performed well in the majors this season, posting a 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 18.1 innings with Chicago.

The Cubs placed Taillon on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left hamstring strain, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Taillon was able to make it through just one inning during his start Sunday before exiting with a strained hamstring, and he'll now officially have to wait at least two more weeks before making his next appearance on a big-league mound. Ethan Roberts was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move, and Javier Assad, who pitched 6.1 innings following Taillon's removal Sunday, is a likely candidate to move into the Cubs' rotation.

Cruz (hand) was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.

Cruz hasn't played since Saturday due to a cut on his hand, and although he was originally expected to return to the starting nine Tuesday, the Pirates have decided to instead keep him on the bench for another game. Jake Mangum will fill in as Pittsburgh's center fielder and bat seventh.