MLB Player News

Bell went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

Facing one of his former clubs, Bell racked up his second straight three-hit performance. The 31-year-old first baseman has been on a tear to close out May, slashing .340/.358/.500 over the last 12 games with five doubles, a homer and eight RBI. Bell's .689 OPS on the season is still below his usual level of production -- his lowest mark over a full campaign is .744, set last year -- but he's quickly closing the gap.

Lopez went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

The 25-year-old infielder has seized the starting job at second base in the wake of the Luis Arraez trade. Through 30 games in the majors this season, Lopez is slashing a solid .273/.313/.429 with three homers, three steals, 11 runs and 15 RBI, and Statcast has graded him in the 89th percentile for outs above average on the defensive side of the ball. Given his career .288/.354/.401 line over nearly 1,000 plate appearances at Triple-A, this level of production seems very sustainable for Lopez, and he could even get more aggressive on the basepaths -- he's stolen 42 bags in 53 attempts at Triple-A.

The Mets optioned Vazquez to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Vazquez's first stint in the majors lasted a little more than a week, but he received just one plate appearance and struck out. Pete Crow-Armstrong was called up from Iowa to take Vazquez's place on the active roster.

The Cubs recalled Crow-Armstrong from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Crow-Armstrong was sent down last week after seeing his playing time dip, but manager Craig Counsell has indicated the rookie could have a bigger role during this stint, playing some center field while Cody Bellinger sees more action in right field and at first base, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. The 22-year-old Crow-Armstrong has put up a .659 OPS with one home run and five steals in 23 games with the big club this season. He's starting in center field and batting eighth in Thursday's game versus the Brewers.

Schwarber went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, an additional RBI, a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-1 victory over the Giants.

He got the Phillies started with an opposite-field homer off Kyle Harrison to lead off the first inning. Schwarber drove in a second run with a base hit in the eighth, extending Philadelphia's lead to 5-0. It's the third straight two-hit game for Schwarber -- he's gone 6-for-12 with two homers, four RBI and two steals in that span. He's boosted his slash line to .246/.369/.425 with 11 homers, 35 RBI and 43 runs scored across 55 games while going 4-for-5 in stolen base attempts this season.

Curtiss cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque by the Rockies on Wednesday.

Curtiss had been designated for assignment after allowing two runs and recording just one out in his lone appearance with the Rockies. While he's no longer on the 40-man roster, it appears he will remain in the organization at Albuquerque as relief depth.

Atlanta recalled Herget from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

He had just been optioned Wednesday but is back a day later to take the roster spot vacated by A.J. Minter (hip), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Herget has tossed three scoreless frames with a 4:1 K:BB during his time with Atlanta this season.

Atlanta placed Minter on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left hip inflammation.

Minter tossed a scoreless inning in Wednesday's win over the Nationals but evidently must have injured his hip during the appearance. The left-hander will be eligible to return from the IL on June 14, although it's not yet clear whether he will be ready for activation at that time.

The Pirates optioned Jefferies to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Jefferies was up as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader in Detroit but didn't make an appearance. The right-hander will rejoin the rotation at Indianapolis, where he's allowed six runs with a 4:4 K:BB over six innings covering two starts since being acquired via trade from the Giants.

Fraley went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Fraley swiped his ninth base of the season while extending a hit streak to five games (6-for-19). He's on pace for a second consecutive 20-steal season but has just seven extra-base hits in 134 plate appearances.