MLB Player News

The Cubs optioned Mervis to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

Mervis was called up to the big club April 23 after a strong start in Triple-A, where he slashed .288/.402/.606 with six doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI over 82 plate appearances with Iowa. That hasn't translated to the majors, as he's gone 3-for-26 with three RBI and eight strikeouts over nine games, and manager Craig Counsell noted that Mervis needs to go "back to the drawing board" in Triple-A, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. The Cubs called up infielder Miles Mastrobuoni in a corresponding move.

The Cubs recalled Mastrobuoni from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

Mastrobuoni made the Cubs' Opening Day roster and was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on April 18 after Patrick Wisdom returned from a stint on the 10-day injured list due to a back injury. Mastrobuoni has appeared in 10 games for Iowa, slashing .231/.318/.436 with 10 runs, five doubles, one home run and four RBI over 44 plate appearances. Matt Mervis was sent down to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Suzuki (oblique) is set to do hitting and defensive drills Saturday alongside Cody Bellinger (ribs), Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Suzuki suffered a right oblique strain April 14. He was first limited to light activity in his rehab, but Suzuki has since progressed to on-field batting practice. After his batting session Wednesday, Suzuki noted that he felt he was 80 percent recovered from his oblique strain and could begin a rehab assignment next week if he continues to progress, per Meghan Montemurro and LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune.

Bellinger (ribs) is set to do hitting and defensive drills Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Bellinger landed on the injured list April 24 after fracturing his right rib against the Astros the day prior. It's a good sign that the 2019 NL MVP is taking the first steps in his rehab, and Cubs manager Craig Counsell suggested that Bellinger could return to the club next week, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. In Bellinger's absence, Pete Crow-Armstrong has served as the primary starter in center field and is slashing .259/.250/.444 with one home run and seven RBI over 29 plate appearances this season.

Alzolay (1-4) allowed three runs on four hits while retiring just a single batter to take the loss Friday against the Brewers.

Alzolay came on with one out in the eighth inning and promptly got into trouble, allowing a couple of quick singles before recording an out. The Brewers also ran freely on Alzolay, stealing three bases while he was on the mound. It's been a rough start to the season for the righty, as he's saddled with a 5.54 ERA and has been removed from the closer's role in favor of Hector Neris. Alzolay doesn't have a ton of fantasy appeal in his current form.

Friedl (wrist) began a rehab assignment Thursday and is 1-for-7 with a walk over two games for Triple-A Louisville.

Friedl, batting in his customary leadoff spot, played seven innings at shortstop Thursday and a full game Friday as the designated hitter. Reds manager David Bell told Mike Petraglia of MLB.com that he'll have a better idea of Friedl's return timeline by the end of the weekend.

Encarnacion-Strand went 0-for-3 in Friday's 3-0 loss to Baltimore.

Encarnacion-Strand missed the last four games with a hand injury. His first full season in the majors has gotten off to a rocky start, as the first baseman is slashing .190/.216/.305 over 111 plate appearances. His strikeout rate is nearly identical to what it was in 2023, but the walk rate is about half of what it was last year and Encarnacion-Strand is in the fifth percentile in chase percentage.

Stephenson went 0-for-3 in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Orioles.

Stephenson missed the last four games while dealing with a hand injury resulting from a hit-by-pitch last Saturday. He had been available off the bench if needed.

Pederson started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Padres.

Pederson had one of Arizona's three hits, a leadoff double in the fifth inning, and came in to score the team's lone run on a Eugenio Suarez single. Pederson leads the Diamondbacks in average (.318), on-base percentage (.447) and slugging (.515), but he's not an everyday starter. He serves as the primary DH against right-handers and has just four plate appearances against southpaws.

Thomas (hamstring) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with two RBI for Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Thomas began a rehab assignment Friday, signaling a pending return to the majors. Per Alex Weiner of Arizon Sports.com, Thomas will play the field Saturday for Reno and then serve as a DH again Sunday. The Diamondbacks are hopeful to bring Thomas back from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener in Cincinnati.