MLB Player News

Nelson is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Nelson will pick up his fourth start of the season Saturday and could have an opportunity to stick around in the rotation for the remainder of 2025 with Corbin Burnes (elbow) set to undergo Tommy John surgery next week. Since being lit up by the Cubs for five earned runs while recording just two outs in an April 18 game, Nelson has pitched to a 1.72 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB in 31.1 innings.

Johnson (1-2) took the loss Friday against the Giants, allowing an unearned run on one hit over one inning.

After Dylan Lee recorded the first two outs in the ninth inning with the score tied 4-4, Johnson entered the game and gave up a single to Tyler Fitzgerald but promptly picked him off at first base. The right-hander wasn't so fortunate in the 10th, however -- with Fitzgerald at second as the phantom runner, Johnson watched him advance to third on a one-out groundout, and then bounced a curveball well wide of the plate that Sean Murphy couldn't corral to bring home the winning run. Raisel Iglesias appears to be on very thin ice as Atlanta's closer, but performances like this don't make a compelling case for Johnson to replace him. Over his last seven appearances, Johnson has a 6.00 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB in six innings with two losses and a blown save.

Frazier went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored Friday against the Phillies.

Frazier has started only two of four games since Nick Gonzales returned, and his playing time at second base will likely diminish greatly. However, he started in right field Friday with both Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham out of the lineup. Frazier has hit well when given a chance of late, batting .368 with four RBI and five runs scored across his last 10 starts.

Kelly is not in the Cubs' starting lineup against the Tigers on Saturday.

Kelly will get a breather after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Friday's 3-1 loss to Detroit. Reese McGuire will serve behind home plate and bat ninth while forming a battery with Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon.

Manaea (oblique) allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits while striking out two in 1.2 innings during his rehab start with High-A Brooklyn on Friday, John Sparaco of SI.com reports.

Manaea was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment after starting the season on the injured list due to a right oblique strain that he suffered in spring training. The 33-year-old southpaw ended up tossing 36 pitches in what was an underwhelming outing, but it's a step in the right direction as far as his rehab program goes. Manaea will need several rehab starts without setbacks before being cleared to return to the major-league roster.

Reynolds went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI against the Phillies on Friday.

Reynolds accounted for both of Pittsburgh's first two runs with an RBI single in the first inning, followed by a solo home run two frames later for his eighth long ball of the year. While his ISO is still just .145 and well off the pace of his past seasons, Reynolds has been picking up his performance recently. Across his last 10 games, he is hitting .368 with a pair of long balls, nine RBI and three runs scored.

Arenado is not in the Cardinals' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Arenado went 3-for-4 with a run scored during Friday's 5-0 win over the Dodgers, but he will begin Saturday's game on the bench while Nolan Gorman starts at third base and bats seventh. Arenado has gone 9-for-35 (.257) with two home runs and six RBI over his last nine games.

Shaw went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Tigers.

Facing Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, Shaw managed to record his second straight multi-hit effort, and he mustered Chicago's only run in a game where scoring was at a premium. After getting demoted following a rocky start to his rookie campaign, Shaw has been a lot better since getting recalled from Triple-A Iowa on May 19. Over his past 16 games, the 23-year-old has slashed .345/.387/.466 with seven doubles, four RBI and 10 runs scored.

Call went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.

In a tight 1-0 game, Call gave the Nationals a bit of breathing room when he drove a first-pitch slider from Patrick Corbin over the fence in left-center field to lead off the seventh inning. The long ball was Call's first of the season, and while he has started three straight games, all three have come against left-handed pitching. With Jacob Young back from the injured list Friday and reclaiming his starting spot in center field, Call could remain in his short-side platoon role in right field, with Robert Hassell handling duties against righties until Dylan Crews (oblique) gets healthy. Call seems better suited to that role -- the 30-year-old has an .840 OPS against LHP in 51 plate appearances this year, versus a .734 mark in 91 PAs against RHP.

Finnegan struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 18th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Rangers.

He had to navigate around a CJ Abrams throwing error, but Finnegan was up to the task. The right-hander is tied with Carlos Estevez for second in the league in saves behind Robert Suarez's 20, and Finnegan has been especially sharp since the beginning of May, posting a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB over his last 11 innings while converting nine of his 10 saves chances.