MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Bellinger (ribs) could be activated from the 10-day injured list at some point during the team's current series versus the Padres, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Bellinger did some hitting and defensive work Monday, and Counsell noted that the outfielder won't require a rehab assignment before returning from the IL. His activation would appear to be imminent, though Bellinger won't be available for Monday's series opener. Bellinger has been on the shelf for nearly two weeks with a fracture in his right ribcage, resulting in Pete Crow-Armstrong taking hold of an everyday role in center field.

Peralta dropped his appeal of a five-game suspension and will be begin serving the ban Monday.

Peralta was handed the suspension for intentionally throwing at the Rays' Jose Siri in an 8-2 win over Tampa Bay last Tuesday. The right-hander was ejected from that contest, but after appealing the five-game ban, Peralta took the hill Sunday on normal rest and was dealt the loss in the Brewers' series finale with the Cubs. With Peralta ending his appeal, he won't be able to make his next turn through the rotation that would have fallen Friday versus the Cardinals, though he could make his next start as soon as Saturday. The Brewers are likely to either call up Robert Gasser from Triple-A Nashville to start Friday, or the team will treat Friday's contest as a bullpen day.

The Brewers transferred Junis (shoulder/head) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Junis initially went on the IL back in early April with a right shoulder impingement but had a more recent setback when he was struck in the head by a ball during batting practice. As a result of being transferred to the 60-day IL, Junis will be moved off the 40-man roster and won't be eligible for activation until June 2.

The Brewers optioned Junk to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Junk was roughed up for five runs on 13 hits and one walk over five relief innings in his three relief appearances with the Brewers. He had been mostly starting at Nashville prior to the promotion and could re-enter the Triple-A club's rotation.

The Brewers selected Herget's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Right-hander Janson Junk was optioned to Nashville to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen for Herget. The 33-year-old right-hander made 10 appearances for Nashville prior to his call-up, delivering a 3.46 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 13 innings.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Brown will be available out of the bullpen for the team's three-game series against the Padres, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Brown could rejoin the Chicago rotation at some point down the road, but for now, he'll shift to the bullpen with Justin Steele (hamstring) returning from the injured list to start Monday's series opener. The Cubs will keep Hayden Wesneski in the rotation over Brown as their No. 5 starter until Kyle Hendricks (back) returns from the IL.

The Cubs optioned Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thompson has pitched well overall out of the Cubs bullpen this season, but he was roughed up in his last two appearances while yielding seven runs (four earned) and recording just three outs. He's being sent out to make room on the active roster for lefty Justin Steele (hamstring), who was reinstated from the injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus the Padres.

The Cubs activated Steele (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday against the Padres at Wrigley Field.

Steele will rejoin the rotation Monday after being sidelined since straining his left hamstring Opening Day. The left-hander threw just 63 pitches in his lone rehab outing, so he'll likely have his workload curtailed Monday to some degree.

Bader is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

He'll begin the game on the bench while Brandon Nimmo slides over to center field. Bader is batting .278 this season but has managed just three extra-base hits.

Alonso is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

He'll take a seat for the first time all season after recently falling into a 1-for-28 drought at the plate that has brought his slash line down to .206/.295/.420. DJ Stewart will draw the start at first base Monday, but Alonso should be back in the lineup Tuesday.