MLB Player News

Imanaga (4-2) earned the win Thursday over the Reds, allowing a run on six hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out 10.

It was another strong showing from Imanaga, who logged double-digit strikeouts for the second time this season while holding Cincinnati scoreless until Sal Stewart led off the sixth inning with a homer. Imanaga has allowed just one run over 13 innings in his last two starts, lowering his ERA to 2.28 on the year with a 0.93 WHIP and 53 strikeouts across eight outings (47.1 innings). Imanaga is currently in line to face Atlanta on the road his next time out.

Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 8-3 win over the Reds.

A day after hitting a key home run in a Chicago win, Crow-Armstrong showed off the speed element in his game as he stole his eighth base of the season in 11 attempts. The talented young outfielder is now riding a five-game hitting streak, which has pushed his overall slash line up to .248/.316/.390. Coming off a 30-30 campaign in 2025, Crow-Armstrong remains a dynamic fantasy asset who is capable of producing elite stats the rest of the way after a relatively slow start to the year.

Conforto went 3-for-3 with a walk, a double, a solo home run, an additional run scored and two total RBI in Thursday's 8-3 win over the Reds.

Making his first start since April 29, Conforto responded with his first three-hit game of the season and also delivered his second home run. The veteran outfielder is locked into a reserve role for the Cubs, which limits his fantasy appeal, but he's been good when given an opportunity with a .361/.467/.667 slash line across 36 at-bats.

The Padres transferred Musgrove (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The Padres added Luis Campusano to the 10-day injured list and selected Rodolfo Duran from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday as part of corresponding moves. Musgrove has been progressing slowly in his attempt to return from the Tommy John surgery he had in late 2024.

Fermin isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

Fermin will step out of the lineup Thursday to allow Rodolfo Duran to make his MLB debut starting at catcher and batting ninth.

Palencia retired a single batter via strikeout to record the save in Thursday's 8-3 win over the Reds.

The Cubs were looking to let their top reliever rest Thursday, but with Cincinnati threatening in the top of the ninth inning with the bases loaded, Palencia got the call. The flamethrowing righty got a battle from Nathaniel Lowe before retiring him on seven pitches. Palencia just returned from the injured list Sunday and has recorded only two saves this season across seven appearances, but he's locked in as Chicago's closer and should begin racking up the saves more frequently with the team streaking to a 26-12 record.

The Padres placed Campusano on the 10-day injured list Thursday due to a left toe fracture.

It has yet to be revealed how Campusano fractured the toe, but he's likely to spend more than the 10-day minimum on the shelf. He had been hitting the ball well to begin the season but was unable to secure the everyday catching job due to Freddy Fermin's superior work behind the plate. Fermin will likely continue to get more starts with Campusano on the injured list while Rodolfo Duran, who had his contract selected from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday, serves as the backup catcher.

The Padres selected Duran from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

The Padres are bringing up Duran as Luis Campusano hits the 10-day injured list with a left toe fracture, while Joe Musgrove (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Duran has slashed .238/.356/.429 with Triple-A El Paso in 2026. The 28-year-old Duran is in the lineup versus the Cardinals on Thursday night, marking his MLB debut.

Church (leg) will start in left field and bat seventh against the Padres on Thursday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Church was taken out of Wednesday's game against Milwaukee after taking a pitch off his leg in the second inning, but the incident won't end up costing him a start. The 25-year-old outfielder has slashed .248/.284/.436 through 109 plate appearances this season and has hit safely in each of the last five contests in which he logged multiple at-bats.

The Athletics traded Ferguson to the Cubs in exchange for cash considerations on Thursday.

Ferguson was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Wednesday, but he will now fill the spot of Corbin Martin on the Cubs, who was also recently designated for assignment. Ferguson pitched 1.1 innings in one appearance for the Athletics in 2026, during which he allowed four earned runs on four hits, including two home runs.