MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Brown from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

With Justin Steele (hamstring) headed for the injured list, Brown will come up from Triple-A for his first look in the majors. The 24-year-old right-hander turned in a 5.33 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 72.2 innings with Iowa last season, but his impressive spring inspired enough confidence from the Cubs to slot him into the Cubs' rotation as Steele's replacement. Brown could make his MLB debut at home against the Rockies on Tuesday.

The Cubs placed Steele on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain, retroactive to March 29, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele had to leave Thursday's season opener after injuring his hamstring while fielding a bunt attempt. He will be eligible to return from the IL on April 13, but it remains unclear whether or not Steele will need to spend more than the 15-day minimum on the shelf. Ben Brown will come up from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move and could fill the void in the Cubs' rotation.

Kerkering (forearm/illness) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Kerkering is officially on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain, but his rehab assignment will build him back up after he missed most of the Grapefruit League schedule due to a bad case of the flu. As a reliever, the 22-year-old righty shouldn't take long to prepare for a return to Philadelphia's bullpen, so he could be able to come off the IL when eligible April 9.

Campusano isn't in the Padres' lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

Campusano is 6-for-18 with two RBI through the Padres' first four games of the year, and he'll get his first day off of the season Saturday. Kyle Higashioka will get the nod behind the plate and bat ninth.

Pederson isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

After going 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored during Friday's contest, Pederson will retreat to the bench against left-hander Austin Gomber. Blaze Alexander will get the start as Arizona's DH and bat seventh.

Clarke underwent surgery Saturday to repair the meniscus damage in his right knee, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Clarke was originally expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks as a result of his injury, but his return timeline may be significantly extended by the procedure. A return later this season isn't completely out of the question, but it will depend on how quickly the 30-year-old righty is able to recover.

Betts went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 6-3 win over the Cardinals.

Betts got the Dodgers started early Friday, belting his third home run of the season off Zack Thompson to lead off the bottom of the first inning. The 31-year-old Betts is off to a torrid start this season, going 8-for-14 with four extra-base hits and nine RBI through four games. He looks poised for a massive season while leading off in front of Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.

Walker (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Saturday marked the first time Walker has thrown off a mound since he landed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder impingement. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the right-hander is scheduled throw another session during the week and that the team will likely take Walker's rehab program slowly.

Marsh isn't in the Phillies' lineup Saturday against Atlanta, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Marsh will get a breather after swatting a two-run homer during Friday's loss. Whit Merrifield will take his place in left field and bat eighth.

Brown is no longer with Triple-A Iowa and is expected to be called up by the Cubs, Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register reports.

The Cubs have not announced their rotation plans beyond Monday when Shota Imanaga is scheduled to pitch. However, it sounds like Brown could end up starting a game in the home series against the Rockies next week in the absence of Justin Steele (hamstring). Brown, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, impressed in spring training with only one earned run allowed and 12 strikeouts in 14 Cactus League innings. His numbers fell off after a move up to Triple-A last season, but he racked up 130 strikeouts in just 92.2 innings across the two highest levels of the minors in 2023.