MLB Player News

Chourio went 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles in Sunday's 12-4 win over the Rockies.

Despite going 0-for-10 with four strikeouts in the Brewers' first two games in Colorado, Chourio maintained an aggressive approach at the plate in the finale. He swung at the first offering in each of his first four at-bats on the afternoon, reaching on a base hit to right, a double to left and another double to right before the hitting streak came to an end when he whiffed on a first-pitch changeup in the sixth inning. Chourio was one of three Brewers to finish with three hits as Milwaukee completed the series sweep.

Boyd (knee) has completed his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa and is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of the Cubs' three-game series in San Francisco next weekend, Matt Carlson of the Associated Press reports.

Boyd made his second and final start with Iowa on Saturday, yielding five earned runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and one walk while striking out five over five innings. Though Boyd's command was a bit off during the start, more important was the fact that he was able to build up to 83 pitches while steering clear of any setbacks with his left knee. The southpaw has been limited to just five starts with the Cubs this season while having missed three weeks in April due to a biceps strain and another four weeks due to the meniscectomy he required May 7, but his impending return from the shelf comes at an especially convenient time with Jameson Taillon set to go on the IL after straining his hamstring Sunday. Boyd should slide right into Taillon's spot in the rotation when it comes up again Friday or Saturday.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Giants that Taillon (hamstring) will be headed to the 15-day injured list, Marquee Sports Network reports.

Taillon was charged with an earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters over one inning before he was forced out of his start Sunday in the top of the second due to a left hamstring strain. Counsell noted that the severity of the injury until Taillon receives imaging Monday, but the Cubs have already determined that the hamstring strain will keep the right-hander out of commission for at least the next two weeks. Javier Assad tossed 6.1 shutout innings in long relief following Taillon's departure Sunday, but Assad could end up sticking in the bullpen if Matthew Boyd (knee) is cleared to return from the 15-day IL by the time Taillon's turn in the rotation comes up next weekend in San Francisco.

Andujar was removed from Sunday's contest versus the Mets in the seventh inning due to a hamstring injury, Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Andujar reached on an infield single in the bottom of the seventh frame and was removed for pinch runner Bryce Johnson. After the game, manager Craig Stammen said Andujar "tweaked his hammy a little bit" and characterized the slugger's removal as precautionary. Stammen said the team will evaluate Andujar moving forward, but it's not yet clear if he's slated to miss any time.

Ward went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday in a loss to the Angels.

Dalton Rushing swatted a three-run homer in the sixth inning to bring the Dodgers to within two runs, and Ward followed with a solo shot to move his team even closer. However, the Angels scored the final seven runs of the game to turn the outcome into a blowout. Still, Ward extended his recent run of good form -- he's notched an extra-base hit and at least one RBI in each of his past three games. He's not quite an everyday player in the absence of Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring), but given that he's started in left field each of the past three times Los Angeles has faced a right-handed starter, Ward appears to be set for pretty steady playing time for as long as Hernandez remains out of action.

Smith picked up the save Sunday against the Cubs. He struck out one over a perfect inning.

Smith shut the door in Sunday's low-scoring affair, retiring the side in order in the 10th inning to secure his first career save and a Giants victory. The right-hander's save opportunity came about with Caleb Kilian, Erik Miller and Keaton Winn already having been deployed in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Smith likely won't see save chances regularly, though the 26-year-old could work his way into more high-leverage opportunities if he continues to pitch well.

Assad allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 2-1 loss to San Francisco.

With Jameson Taillon (hamstring) exiting with no outs in the second inning, Assad was called upon to eat innings and did so brilliantly. His five strikeouts marked a season high, and the right-hander now owns a 4.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 32.1 innings over nine appearances (three starts). If Taillon requires a stint on the injured list, Assad is a logical candidate to step into the rotation.

McDonald did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out six.

McDonald was largely able to stifle the Cubs offense, as three of the opposition's four hits came in the third inning when Moises Ballesteros drove in the club's lone run. Aside from a seven-run outing May 22 against the White Sox, McDonald has been effective since being recalled and inserted into the rotation at the start of May. The 25-year-old will take a 2-3 record with a 4.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB across 39 innings (seven starts) into his next outing, tentatively scheduled for Saturday in a home rematch with the Cubs.

Rushing went 4-for-4 with a three-run home run and a double in Sunday's 13-5 loss to the Angels.

Rushing recorded a hit in each of his at-bats, highlighted by a three-run homer off Jose Soriano in the sixth inning. It marked Rushing's first long ball since April 20. Fueled by a huge April, the 25-year-old is slashing .287/.363/.564 with eight homers, four doubles, 21 RBI and 18 runs across 113 plate appearances. Playing time can be difficult to come by with Shohei Ohtani entrenched at designated hitter and Will Smith behind the plate, though Rushing could see increased opportunities if Smith's neck injury results in additional absences or a stint on the injured list.

Abrams went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Sunday's 5-1 loss to Arizona.

Abrams provided the Nationals' only offense, leading off the second inning with a solo shot off Michael Soroka that briefly tied the game. The homer was his second in the last three games and is part of a great stretch, as he's hit .299 since April 29. Abrams' full season line stands at a splendid .286/.380/.534 with 14 homers, 49 RBI, 41 runs and nine steals across 279 plate appearances.