MLB Player News

Conforto went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and a run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Rangers.

After going 3-for-3 with a double, a homer and two RBI Thursday against the Reds, Conforto was given another start. He hit second in the Chicago lineup and reached base three more times. In limited at-bats, Conforto has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball the last couple weeks, but Friday was just his fifth start in the last 18 games. Across 12 plate appearances this month, Conforto is 6-for-10 with four extra-base hits, including two home runs, three RBI, four runs scored and a 2:1 BB:K. Conforto has done enough to earn more playing time against right-handed pitching, but the Cubs' outfield is set in stone. Moises Ballesteros has cooled off as the primary designated hitter, as he's just 2-for-31 (.065) since April 28.

Brown didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Rangers, allowing one walk with three strikeouts across four scoreless and hitless innings.

Brown was forced into starting duties Friday after Matthew Boyd (knee) was placed on the injured list this week. After pitching exclusively out of the bullpen prior to this start, Brown was limited to 46 pitches against Texas. He lowered his ERA to an impressive 1.82 with a 27:9 K:BB across 29.2 innings. After making 15 starts last season, it shouldn't take long for Brown to build his arm back up to handle a starter's workload while the Cubs navigate their rotation injuries.

Nunez went 1-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases in Friday's 3-2 win over the Marlins.

Nunez singled on a bunt in the second inning before swiping second and third base following a walk in the seventh. After a miserable April, the 25-year-old has gone a modest 5-for-16 with four RBI across seven May contests. He's slashing .218/.320/.245 with just two extra-base hits, 14 RBI and 16 runs scored across 131 plate appearances this season and now leads the majors with 16 steals.

Young went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Friday's 3-2 win over the Marlins.

Young gave the Nationals a 3-0 lead on what proved to be the game-winning home run in the first inning. It was his first long ball since April 13, and he's now scored five runs while hitting safely in three straight games. The 26-year-old has already tied a career high with three homers while posting a .236/.281/.346 slash line, 17 RBI, 16 runs scored and one steal across 136 plate appearances.

Vaughn went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and two runs scored in Friday's 6-0 win over the Yankees.

Vaughn walked and scored in a four-run second inning against Yankees ace Max Fried and then doubled and scored in the third. Vaughn returned from the injured list earlier in the week and is now 3-for-11 with a double, a home run, three RBI and three runs scored in three games since suffering the broken hamate bone in his left hand on Opening Day.

Misiorowski (3-2) picked up the win over the Yankees on Friday, allowing two hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts across six scoreless innings.

Misiorowski made his first start since leaving last Friday's outing against the Nationals early with hamstring cramps. He had his start pushed back this week due to Tuesday's rainout in St. Louis, and the extra rest had Misiorowski looking as dialed in as ever against one of baseball's top offenses. Misiorowski mowed the Yankees down in order in the first inning on 10 pitches, all fastballs of 102-plus miles per hour. In total, 41 of Misiorowski's 95 pitches were 100 mph or faster. It was truly a dominant outing for the right-hander, who possesses some of the best stuff in the sport. Through eight starts, Misiorowski owns a 2.45 ERA and 70:17 K:BB across 44 innings.

Griffin (4-1) earned the win against the Marlins on Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk with nine strikeouts over seven innings.

Griffin allowed two runs in the first inning before dazzling with six scoreless frames, generating 17 whiffs on 103 total pitches while notching a career-high nine strikeouts. The southpaw has been rolling, allowing just four combined earned runs over four consecutive quality starts. He'll carry an impressive 2.12 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 42:15 K:BB across 46.2 innings into a road test in Cincinnati.

Lockridge suffered a deep laceration down to the bone of his right knee during Friday's win over the Yankees, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

X-rays on Lockridge's knee came back negative for a fracture, but manager Pat Murphy said that the outfielder is still going to be sidelined for "a while" because of his laceration. That means a trip to the injured list is probably in Lockridge's future, and a return to the majors is likely in the cards for Blake Perkins.

Snelling (0-1) took the loss against the Nationals on Friday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks with two strikeouts over five innings.

Snelling allowed three runs with two outs in the first inning but battled to keep Washington off the board from there. He generated 12 whiffs on 86 pitches but generally struggled with command, issuing four walks and yielding multiple baserunners in every frame except a clean fourth. It was still a respectable debut for the 22-year-old, who entered Friday with a 1.86 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB across 29 innings at Triple-A Jacksonville. He lines up for a road matchup against the Twins next week.

Poulin earned the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Marlins, allowing one walk and recording one out in the ninth inning.

Poulin was summoned with a runner on first and two outs to face lefty Joe Mack before the Marlins countered with right-handed hitter Heriberto Hernandez. Poulin walked Hernandez before inducing a game-ending groundout to earn his first save of the season. It was likely just a matchup play after current closer Gus Varland picked up a save Thursday. On the year, Poulin owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB across 18.2 innings, adding three holds and serving as an opener in five of his 19 appearances.