MLB Player News

Hayes (back) will resume baseball activities Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The plan is for Hayes to play catch and field grounders Monday before swinging a bat Tuesday. Hayes landed on the injured list last weekend with a back injury which had been nagging at him for a while, but it sounds like he's feeling better after a little rest. He could make it back before the end of the month if all goes well.

Merryweather (ribs/back) could start a throwing program Monday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The right-hander has been shut down since he suffered a rib stress fracture in his back in early April but is now ready to begin a throwing program. Merryweather will be eligible to return from the 60-day IL in early June but will likely require more time before being reinstated.

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

Hodge has posted a 4.80 ERA and walked 12 over 15 innings this season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, but he's also struck out 26. This will be the first stint in the majors for the 23-year-old.

The Cubs placed Brewer on the 15-day injured list Friday with a lower-back injury, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

It's not clear when Brewer's back began bothering him, but his last appearance came Sunday in Pittsburgh. He's been an effective middle reliever for the Cubs this season, collecting a 3.09 ERA and 12:4 K:BB over 11.2 frames. Porter Hodge will take his spot in the bullpen.

Hodge was spotted in the Cubs' clubhouse prior to Friday's game against the Pirates, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

No roster moves have been announced yet, but it would appear the Cubs could be adding Hodge to their bullpen. The 23-year-old holds a 4.80 ERA and 26:12 K:BB over 15 innings between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa this season. It would be Hodge's first promotion to the major leagues.

Suzuki is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Pirates.

Suzuki homered Wednesday in Atlanta but is just 6-for-26 at the dish since returning from the injured list. With Paul Skenes on the hill for the Pirates on Friday, a day off for Suzuki makes sense. Cody Bellinger will shift over to right field while Pete Crow-Armstrong handles center and Mike Tauchman serves as the designated hitter.

Hoerner (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Pirates.

It's the fourth straight game Hoerner has been out of the lineup due to tightness in his left hamstring. A stint on the injured list would seem to be a distinct possibility at this point given how much time Hoerner has missed, although there's been no indication from the Cubs yet that a move is coming. Miles Mastrobuoni and Nick Madrigal will again be tasked with middle infield duties for Chicago.

Swanson (knee) took live batting practice Friday, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.

Swanson landed on the 10-day injured list a week ago with a right knee injury. He'll be eligible for activation Saturday, but while it appears he is making progress, it seems unlikely that he will be ready at that time. With Nico Hoerner (hamstring) also banged up, the Cubs' shortstop depth has thinned, and Miles Mastrobuoni has started the last three games.

Taylor is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Taylor started the previous four games but will receive a day off after he went 2-for-13 with a double, two runs and five strikeouts during that stretch. Jack Suwinski will shift to center field Friday while Connor Joe starts in right.

Diekman gave up an unearned run in the 11th inning Thursday, walking one and striking out one, to record his first save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Phillies.

The veteran southpaw couldn't stop the phantom runner from coming home thanks in part to a Pete Alonso error, but Diekman otherwise wiggled out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam to preserve the comeback win. Edwin Diaz had blown his third save of the season in the ninth inning, but the Mets aren't yet showing any inclination to make a switch at closer. Diekman's control issues could keep him out of consideration for saves even if the job does become open, however -- through 14 innings this season he has a 3.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB.