MLB Player News

The Cardinals recalled Crooks from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

The 24-year-old will join the big-league roster after posting a .262/.412/.567 slash line with 13 homers in 39 games for Memphis. Yohel Pozo was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. It's not clear how much playing time Crooks will get, as Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages have split most of the starts at catcher this season, but Pages' .622 OPS in 125 plate appearances could make him the odd man out.

The Cardinals optioned Pozo to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Pozo has played sparingly this season as the team's third catcher, going 8-for-33 at the plate. His spot on the roster is being filled by Jimmy Crooks.

Wicks is slated to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals in St. Louis, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Wicks will be making a second turn through the rotation, but he'll receive the start mainly due to the Cubs' dwindling pitching depth rather than merit. The southpaw made his 2026 debut for the Cubs on Tuesday, taking a loss in Pittsburgh after yielding eight earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.1 innings. Wicks hadn't pitched especially well at Iowa prior to his promotion either, logging a 4.44 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB in 26.1 innings across seven starts.

The Pirates activated Jones (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Jones is set to make his season debut for the Pirates on Friday just over one year after undergoing UCL surgery on his right elbow. The 24-year-old pitched well in five rehab starts, logging a 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB across 18.2 innings. Jones threw 76 pitches in his last outing, so he should be capable of a workload of 85-90 pitches versus Minnesota.

The Reds placed Ashcraft on the 60-day injured list Friday with a UCL sprain in his right elbow, Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati reports.

Ashcraft felt discomfort following his last appearance Monday versus the Mets, and an MRI revealed UCL damage. The reliever will not undergo surgery at this point, but he will be given an injection and is expected to miss multiple months. It's a major blow to the Cincinnati bullpen, as Ashcraft has logged a 3.33 ERA and 32:16 K:BB over 27 innings while notching one save.

The Reds selected Marte's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Marte will join a big-league roster for the first time since he was with the Phillies in August of 2024. In 20 games with Triple-A Louisville this year, the 31-year-old registered a 5.12 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB. Cincinnati will transfer Graham Ashcraft (elbow) to the 60-day IL to make room for Marte on the active roster.

Thielbar picked up his second hold Thursday after pitching one scoreless inning while allowing two walks and no hits with two strikeouts in a 7-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Thielbar was called upon in relief for the second straight day and registered another scoreless frame. The 39-year-old entered in the seventh inning, striking out Brandon Lowe and Oneil Cruz to maintain the 3-2 lead, though he made things interesting with a pair of walks. Thielbar has posted a 2.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB with two saves and two holds in his 10th major league season.

Atlanta recalled Molina from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Molina made one scoreless appearance for Atlanta earlier this season but has spent most of the year at Gwinnett, where he's posted a 4.50 ERA and 28:11 K:BB over 30 innings covering five starts and four relief outings. The righty will give the Atlanta bullpen some length.

Atlanta designated Carrasco for assignment Friday.

It's the third time this season that Carrasco has been removed from Atlanta's 40-man roster. He re-signed the first two times and eventually made it back to the majors, and there's a good chance he'll re-up again and report to Triple-A Gwinnett. The 39-year-old Carrasco has allowed two runs with a 4:0 K:BB over 7.1 innings covering four appearances during his time in the majors this season.

Ortiz has hit safely in seven straight games for Triple-A Rochester, batting .333 (10-for-30) with seven home runs and 20 RBI during that stretch.

The 24-year-old first baseman is decimating the International League to close out May as he turns things around following a sluggish start to the season. At the end of April, Ortiz carried a .231/.375/.352 slash line with just one homer in 27 games. If he keeps swinging a hot bat, he could slug his way into the Nationals' 1B/DH picture over the summer.