MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Palencia from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The right-hander missed out on the Opening Day roster but will join the Cubs a couple weeks into the season. Palencia had a 6.14 ERA in 10 outings for Chicago last year and allowed two earned runs with a 7:2 K:BB over four innings to begin the year with Iowa.

The Cubs recalled Little from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

With Eli Morgan (elbow) headed to the injured list and Nate Pearson headed to the minors, Little will make the trip to the majors alongside Daniel Palencia to replenish Chicago's bullpen depth. Little owns a 2.76 ERA through 32.2 career innings in the majors, and he's off to a strong start in Triple-A, allowing two runs in 5.2 frames while striking out six and walking three. He'll likely be used in middle relief while with the Cubs.

The Cubs placed Morgan on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right elbow impingement, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Morgan's elbow forced him to make a premature exit from Monday's game. He'll now be forced to miss another couple of weeks as he moves to the IL, though it remains unknown if he'll require more than a minimum-length stay. Luke Little and Daniel Palencia will come up from Triple-A Iowa to help make up for the loss of Morgan and Nate Pearson, who was optioned to Iowa on Tuesday.

The Cubs optioned Pearson to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The right-hander was a key bullpen piece down the stretch for the Cubs last season with a 2.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB across 26.1 innings, but he surrendered 10 earned runs across his first eight outings of 2025 to earn the demotion. Pearson could rejoin the big club later in the year if he can get back on track at Triple-A.

The Cubs reinstated Brujan (elbow) from the injured list Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brujan has been on the injured list all season due to a sprained right elbow. He began a rehab assignment Thursday, going 4-for-13 with a stolen base in three games at Triple-A Iowa. Now fully healthy, the 27-year-old will replace Matt Shaw on the active roster and give the Cubs additional depth at nearly every position.

The Cubs optioned Shaw to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

After beginning the season as Chicago's starting third baseman, Shaw slashed just .172/.294/.241 across 68 plate appearances over his first 18 games in the majors. The Cubs will now send him back to Triple-A to help him rediscover his swing; meanwhile, Jon Berti, Justin Turner, Vidal Brujan and Gage Workman are all candidates to see more time at the hot corner.

Hernandez (illness) isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez will miss a second consecutive game as he continues to fight off a stomach bug, though it's worth noting he's feeling well enough to be with the team in the clubhouse. Michael Conforto, Chris Taylor and Andy Pages will start across the Dodgers' outfield while Hernandez rests.

Acuna was cleared to ramp up activity Tuesday and begin progressing towards a rehab assignment, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Acuna's scheduled meeting with doctors in Los Angeles appears to have gone well, as he went in seeking clearance to ramp up his running. Aside from increased running, he will likely add defensive drills in the outfield to practice as well. With the outfielder's green light to ramp up activity for progression toward a rehab assignment, he seems to be on schedule to return to action for Atlanta within the next month.

Canning won't start as scheduled Wednesday against the Twins due to an illness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander has been decent through three starts with a 4.20 ERA and 13:8 K:BB over 15 innings, but his next outing will be pushed back due to the illness. The specifics of the ailment aren't clear, but assuming it's a minor issue, Canning could be ready to take the mound Thursday or Friday versus the Cardinals.

Manager Pat Murphy indicated Tuesday that Alexander will return to operating as a long reliever, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

The left-hander pitched well in his first start of the season with 5.2 scoreless innings, but he was less effective in the past two outings and surrendered eight runs (four earned) Monday against the Tigers. Jose Quintana recently joined the rotation while Tobias Myers (oblique) is finishing up a rehab assignment, as Milwaukee's rotation is regaining some pieces. Prospect Logan Henderson was called up Tuesday and could take Alexander's spot in the rotation this weekend versus the A's.