MLB Player News

Brown tossed six scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision Saturday against the Reds. He allowed a hit and a walk, while striking out nine.

Brown followed opener Drew Pomeranz, and the former turned in arguably his best performance of the year, though he couldn't snag the win as the Cubs scored all their runs in the eighth inning after Brown had departed. The righty matched his season high in strikeouts and innings pitched, and he lowered his ERA to 5.72 in the process. Brown still has some work to do with his ERA after allowing a total of 14 runs over his previous two outings, though Saturday's performances was a clear step in the right direction for the 25-year-old. He'll look to carry some momentum into his next scheduled start, which is tentatively penciled in for Friday against a tough Detroit squad.

Palencia tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to secure the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Reds.

Palencia now has five saves on the season, and all of them have come in the past 10 days. The righty is pitching well with a sparkling 1.74 ERA and 0.77 WHIP, and he's emerged as Chicago's top closer for the time being due to Ryan Pressly struggling earlier in the year and Porter Hodge (oblique) being on the injured list. Hodge's return could complicate things at the back end of Chicago's bullpen, though it seems like Palencia has done enough to hold onto the job, at least if he continues to perform at a high level.

Gurriel isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Gurriel went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored during Friday's contest, extending his hitting streak to seven games -- five of which have been multi-hit outings. He'll get a chance to catch his breath Saturday while Randal Grichuk starts in left field and bats eighth.

Imanaga (hamstring) completed a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Imanaga has now thrown a pair of side sessions since landing on the injured list May 5, as the Cubs have been working him back slowly from a left hamstring strain. Assuming he's dealing with nothing more than normal soreness following Saturday's session, Imanaga is expected to shift his rehab program to the Cubs' spring training facility in Arizona during the upcoming week. Imanaga will need to face hitters in live batting practice before the Cubs determine whether to send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment or have him build up his pitch count through simulated games before bringing him back from the IL.

Manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that Verlander (pectoral) isn't expected to make his next start, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Melvin added that Verlander hasn't experienced a setback in his recovery from a right pectoral strain, but the ball simply hasn't been coming out of his hand the way he'd like. The 42-year-old righty will now presumably look to return to the mound next weekend, which will give Kyle Harrison enought time to make at least one more start with the Giants.

Patrick will start Saturday's game against the Phillies, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Patrick was originally expected to work in bulk relief behind Rob Zastryzny on Saturday, but the Brewers ultimately decided to use Patrick as their starter once they saw Bryce Harper (elbow) wouldn't be in Philadelphia's starting nine, per Hogg. Patrick has been a nice find for Milwaukee's rotation this season, turning in a 2.97 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 57.2 innings and most recently firing 4.2 shutout frames with six strikeouts against the Red Sox.

The Dodgers transferred Glasnow (shoulder) to the 60-day IL on Saturday.

The 31-year-old righty will give up his spot on the Dodgers' 40-man roster to Chuckie Robinson, who was claimed off waivers from the Angels on Saturday. Glasnow has been on the injured list since late April with right shoulder inflammation and is now eligible to return beginning June 27.

Hall took a no-decision as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Friday's 6-2 win over the Phillies, tossing three scoreless, no-hit innings and giving up one walk while striking out four.

Since being reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday, Hall has made two appearances, giving up one earned run over 5.1 innings. Though he was being built up a starter during his minor-league rehab assignment, Hall looks like he could fill a hybrid role that includes occasional opener assignments as well as more traditional relief appearances. Hall ended up working in tandem Friday with Quinn Priester, who covered the final six innings en route to notching his second win of the season.

The Dodgers claimed Robinson off waivers Saturday.

Robinson was DFA'd by the Angels on Wednesday, but he'll remain in Los Angeles after being picked up by the Dodgers. The 30-year-old catcher slashed .272/.315/.388 with one home run and 18 RBI over 112 plate appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake this season. Robinson will likely remain in the minors, but he could receive a call up to the big leagues if Will Smith or Dalton Rushing were to miss time. Tyler Glasnow (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster for Robinson.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Hodge's (oblique) recovery has been slowed down by a hip impingement, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

The Cubs skipper noted that the oblique strain that put Hodge on the IL in the first place has been fully resolved, though the reliever's newest injury makes it unclear when he might be ready to return. The team will try to have him throw off a mound again during the week, and he'll require a few rehab outings before being activated.