MLB Player News

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Houser will start Wednesday's game in Philadelphia, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Houser made one relief appearance following his brief demotion to the bullpen earlier this month, tossing two scoreless frames last Friday against Atlanta. The right-hander isn't guaranteed any additional starts beyond Wednesday, especially with Tylor Megill (shoulder) being a possibility to return from the 15-day injured list later this week or next week. Houser holds an 8.16 ERA in six starts this season.

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

Cuas had just been sent down a day ago, but he's back to replace Adbert Alzolay (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. He will be used in low-leverage spots.

The Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right forearm strain, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Alzolay netted a save in Sunday's extra-inning win over the Pirates, although he gave up two runs (one earned) in the process. The righty hasn't displayed strong form this season, collecting a 4.67 ERA and 13:6 K:BB over 17.1 innings. Hector Neris will continue to operate as the Cubs' primary closer.

Schwarber (back) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Schwarber is on the bench for a third straight game due to lower-back soreness, but the 31-year-old is holding out hope for returning to the lineup for the Phillies' final game at Citi Field on Tuesday before the four-game series with the Mets shifts back to Philadelphia. With Schwarber out of the starting nine, Nick Castellanos will get a day out of the outfield and will serve as the Phillies' designated hitter.

The Marlins activated Puk (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

It's been a little more than three weeks since Puk landed on the IL with left shoulder fatigue, but he's ready to return after yielding two runs with a 7:0 K:BB over 3.2 innings across his four minor-league rehab appearances. Puk struggled mightily as a member of the Miami rotation earlier this season, but he'll be used in relief in his return from the IL and should eventually see usage in high-leverage spots.

Realmuto (knee) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Realmuto will be on the bench for a second straight game with what the Phillies are characterizing as right knee soreness. The veteran backstop said he first picked up the injury while legging out a triple in the Phillies' May 4 game against the Giants, and his knee hasn't improved in the week since. Neither Realmuto nor the Phillies are concerned yet about him requiring a stint on the injured list, though that could be a stronger possibility if he's not able to return to the lineup within the next couple of days. Garrett Stubbs will fill in for Realmuto behind the plate Monday.

The Marlins placed Anderson on the 10-day injured list Monday with lower-back tightness.

Anderson had missed the previous two games with the injury and evidently didn't show enough progress to avoid a stint on the IL. Because the move is backdated to Saturday, Anderson will be eligible to return from the IL in just over a week. However, it's unclear whether he'll be ready to rejoin the Miami lineup by then. Vidal Brujan is expected to serve as the Marlins' everyday shortstop while Anderson is on the shelf.

Lopez will start at second base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Tigers.

Lopez will make his third straight start in the middle infield while Tim Anderson sits again due to lower-back tightness. The 25-year-old has swung a hot bat over his last two starts, going 3-for-6 with a home run, a double and a walk.

Bethancourt will start at catcher and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Tigers.

Bethancourt will draw his third time in four games, with the playing time behind the dish beginning to tilt more in his favor while he's wielded a hot bat of late. Over his last four starts, Bethancourt has gone 6-for-13 at the plate, but he's still holding down a lowly .346 OPS on the season. That mark is right in line with Nick Fortes' (.345), so as soon as Bethancourt cools off, the two backstops could settle back into more of a timeshare.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.

Fortes will sit for the second day in a row and the third time in four games while Christian Bethancourt gets another turn behind the plate. The Marlins have gotten minimal production from both of their catchers for most of the season, but Bethancourt has shown some semblance of life at the dish of late, going 6-for-13 with two doubles over his last four games. That may be enough to give him the edge on playing time for now over Fortes, who has turned in a .345 OPS over 78 plate appearances on the season.