MLB Player News

Vargas was removed from Tuesday's game against the White Sox with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

Vargas took a pitch off his foot during the second inning of Tuesday's contest but remained in the game until the fourth. A trip to the injured list is likely in the 33-year-old's future, though there's currently no telling how long he'll be sidelined.

With Ben Brown getting optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Horton figures to stick in the Cubs' rotation when Shota Imanaga (hamstring) returns later this week.

With Imanaga's return imminent, Chicago has to make room in the rotation, and for now it seems like Horton will keep his spot. The Cubs could have gone with a six-man rotation or moved Colin Rea into a long-relief role. However, with Brown getting tagged for eight runs in his start Monday, the team decided he's the one to go for now, with Horton and Rea sticking as starters along with Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon. Horton has pitched well during his rookie campaign, compiling a 3.73 ERA across his first eight MLB appearances. He's penciled in to start Friday against the Astros on the road.

Meyer is scheduled to undergo season-ending labral repair surgery on his left hip Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The recovery timeline for Meyer's surgery is roughly 6-8 months, which means his season has officially come to an early end. He'll finish the 2025 campaign with a 4.73 ERA and 1.42 WHIP alongside a 68:20 K:BB earned across 64.2 innings (12 starts).

The Nationals recalled Millas from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Millas has spent the entire season in Triple-A, where he's slashed .247/.306/.374 across 209 plate appearances. With Keibert Ruiz (head) headed to the injured list, Millas will join the big club to act as the backup catcher behind Riley Adams.

The Nationals placed Ruiz on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a head contusion.

A foul ball connected with Ruiz's head during Monday's contest, though after evaluation, it seems he managed to escape the incident with only a bruise. Riley Adams will take over as the Nationals' primary catcher while Ruiz is out, and Drew Millas will come up from Triple-A Rochester to provide depth behind the plate.

Harper (wrist) will go through his usual pre-game routine prior to Tuesday's game against the Astros, though he isn't expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list before the end of the series, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The routine includes about 50 swings, fielding grounders and going through a throwing program, and if all goes well, he could take batting practice Wednesday. Harper continues to progress in his recovery from right wrist inflammation, and he appears to be lining up to rejoin the Phillies this weekend or next week, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, though there's officially no timeline for his return.

Eldridge has a right hamstring strain and will miss 3-to-4 weeks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Eldridge suffered the injury while running the bases over the weekend with Triple-A Sacramento. The first baseman has posted a .230 average with three home runs, 13 RBI and five runs scored over 61 at-bats in 16 games with Sacramento since being promoted June 3. Eldridge was already uncertain to make a major impact with the Giants in 2025, and the injury shrinks his chances even more.

The Pirates recalled Darrell-Hicks from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Darrell-Hicks has pitched two scoreless innings at Indianapolis since being claimed off waivers from the Angels, and he'll now be called upon to replace Hunter Stratton in Pittsburgh's bullpen.

Suarez (hand) is expected to miss multiple games while dealing with swelling in his right hand, Casey Drottar of MLB.com reports.

Suarez was hit in the right hand by a fastball in the first inning of Monday's contest against the White Sox. The third baseman is dealing with "a ton of swelling," and there's a "minimal chance that he plays in a game" over the next couple of days, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Once the swelling goes down, Suarez will undergo an MRI, but Lovullo doesn't expect the veteran to require a stint on the injured list. With an off day looming Thursday, Suarez could be ready to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Marlins at the earliest.

The Pirates optioned Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

After giving up three runs in one inning Monday, Stratton will return to the minors, where he owns a 3.91 ERA through 23 innings. Michael Darrell-Hicks will come up from Triple-A to fill the open bullpen spot.