MLB Player News

The Cubs designated Kriske for assignment Thursday.

Just five days after joining the active roster, Kriske will now give up his spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters for Genesis Cabrera, who officially signed with the Cubs on Thursday. Kriske pitched two shutout innings during his lone appearance against the Reds on Saturday, and he owns a 3.57 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 17.2 frames at Triple-A Iowa.

The Dodgers transferred Phillips (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Phillips was originally supposed to be shut down from throwing for two weeks after landing on the injured list May 7 with elbow inflammation, but it's now been three weeks, and the right-hander still has yet to start a throwing program. With no return timeline in place, the 30-year-old will give up his spot on the 40-man roster for the newly acquired Alexis Diaz. Phillips is now ineligible to return from the IL until July 6.

Fairchild exited Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Phillies due to a dislocated pinky finger, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Despite injuring his finger on a steal attempt Thursday afternoon, Fairchild is reportedly still available to serve as a pinch runner during the nightcap -- likely while wearing a sliding mitt this time. The 29-year-old has appeared in 21 games for Atlanta this season and owns a .182/.250/.273 slash line through 36 plate appearances.

Harper (elbow) is out of the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Atlanta.

Harper was absent from the first game of Thursday's doubleheader as well, but Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Harper was feeling better after Game 1, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports. Alec Bohm has the start at first base and is batting third while Edmundo Sosa enters the lineup at third base.

The Reds traded Diaz to the Dodgers on Thursday in exchange for minor-league pitcher Mike Villani, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Diaz dazzled during his rookie campaign, finishing the 2022 season with a 1.84 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 63.2 innings. Fast forward just three years later, and the 28-year-old righty is now struggling to be effective in Triple-A, where he owns a 4.61 ERA and 1.97 WHIP over 13.2 frames. The Dodgers organization has developed a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, so Diaz could certainly benefit from a change of scenery. However, he will first need to prove he's worthy of a big-league bullpen spot by turning things around at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Atlanta recalled Petersen from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Petersen will come up from the minors to give Atlanta some extra bullpen depth for the second game of Thursday's twin bill in Philadelphia. He's turned in a 2.45 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 14.2 Triple-A innings since joining the organization at the start of April, and with AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) moving to the injured list in a corresponding move, there's room on the active roster for Petersen to remain in Atlanta for a few more days if he performs well.

Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right elbow strain.

It initially seemed like Smith-Shawver was dealing with a foot/ankle injury after getting hit by a comebacker in the third inning, but the 22-year-old said he felt a pop in his elbow during the game, which could potentially signal a much more serious issue. Manager Brian Snitker said that the right-hander will travel back to Atlanta to undergo imaging but added that "it doesn't look good," per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Smith-Shawver has been a key contributor for Atlanta's rotation this year, but recent struggles have elevated his ERA to 3.86 to go with a 1.42 WHIP through 44.1 innings this year.

Sanchez did not factor into the decision in the opening game of Thursday's doubleheader against Atlanta. He allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings.

Sanchez got off to a strong start, holding Atlanta scoreless through his first five innings. However, the southpaw would run into trouble in the sixth, when he'd ultimately allow two runs on three hits before leaving the game one out shy of a quality start. Overall, it was a step in the right direction for Sanchez after he allowed three runs on eight hits in just 4.2 innings during his last outing against the A's. His ERA now sits at 3.32 with a 1.31 WHIP and 70:22 K:BB through 11 starts (59.2 innings) this year. Sanchez is currently lined up to face the Blue Jays on the road in his next start.

Romano earned the save in the opening game of Thursday's doubleheader with Atlanta, allowing a hit and three walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

Romano pulled a rabbit out of his hat Thursday afternoon, as he managed to close out a 5-4 victory despite allowing four men to reach base. Atlanta would load the bases with two outs before Romano struck out Eli White to end the game. The 32-year-old Romano seems to have firmed his grasp on the ninth-inning job in Philly despite some recent struggles -- he's allowed three runs on four hits and four walks in his last three appearances (2.2 innings). Overall, Romano is 8-for-10 in save chances this year with a 7.29 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 27:11 K:BB across 21 innings.

Woodruff (ankle) struck out six and allowed one unearned run on five hits and no walks over seven innings in his rehab start Wednesday with High-A Wisconsin.

Woodruff took the hill Wednesday for his eighth rehab start and his second since resuming his assignment May 21 after a brief shutdown due to right ankle tendinitis. The right-hander's surgically repaired shoulder doesn't seem to be much of a concern at this stage, and after an efficient 74-pitch performance Wednesday, his ankle issue seemingly isn't causing him any problems either. Even so, the Brewers are still expected to have Woodruff make another rehab start next Tuesday with Triple-A Nashville, per MLB.com. If all goes well in that outing, Woodruff will likely be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list and slot into the Milwaukee rotation June 8 or 9 for what would be his first MLB appearance since Sept. 23, 2023.