MLB Player News

Crooks went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a pair of walks in Triple-A Memphis' win over Jacksonville.

The long ball was Crooks' 13th of the season, which is only one off the career-high 14 homers he had at Memphis in 2025. He's also sporting a 17.7 percent walk rate and 30.6 percent strikeout rate, so it's been a three-true-outcomes season for the 24-year-old backstop. Crooks has a lot more offensive upside than Pedro Pages and is also a good defender, but the Cardinals like Pages' defense and handling of the pitching staff. A promotion for Crooks doesn't appear imminent.

The Cubs selected Blach's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Blach joined the organization on a minor-league deal in mid-April and has gotten into five games (three starts) for Iowa, posting a 5.23 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB over 20.2 innings. He'll likely work in long relief out of the bullpen with the big-league club. Reliever Hunter Harvey (triceps) was moved to the 60-day IL to make room for Blach, while Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A.

Gilbert went 2-for-5 with a triple and a double in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Athletics.

After going 0-for-5 with a walk over his previous two outings before sitting out Friday's loss to the Athletics, Gilbert bounced back Saturday to record his first triple of the season as part of his first multi-hit effort since April 30. Although Harrison Bader is back in the lineup, Gilbert should continue seeing increased opportunities with Heliot Ramos (quadriceps) on the 10-day injured list.

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Assad has been working out of the bullpen for Chicago and appeared in three games so far in May, allowing just one run with a 3:1 K:BB over seven innings. Despite his recent effectiveness, he'll head to Iowa in favor of a fresh arm. Ty Blach had his contract selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Marte is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

There's been no indication he's injured, so it's likely just a maintenance day for Marte after he started the previous seven games. Ildemaro Vargas will shift to the keystone while Jose Fernandez picks up a start at first base.

Ozuna is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Ozuna started the previous eight games but went 5-for-30 (.167) with two homers and 13 strikeouts during that stretch. Oneil Cruz will rest his legs as the designated hitter Sunday while Jake Mangum (hamstring) mans center field in his return from the IL.

Dubon is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

The trip to the bench ends a run of 23 straight starts for Dubon, who struggled to a .599 OPS during that stretch and is currently in the midst of a 1-for-19 slump. The super-utility man's path to playing time took a hit when Ha-Seong Kim made his season debut last week, and it could get squeezed further Monday with Eli White (concussion) expected to come off the IL, though the continued absence of Ronald Acuna (hamstring) should still provide at least semi-regular opportunities in the outfield.

Baez is slashing .233/.307/.487 with 10 home runs, seven stolen bases and a 34.3 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A Memphis this season.

Baez homered for the third time in four games Friday and then wore the golden sombrero Saturday with strikeouts in all four of his plate appearances. It's a perfect microcosm of his season, as Baez is hitting for plenty of power but also swinging and missing a lot during his first stint in the Pacific Coast League. Cutting his strikeout rate to 20.6 percent between High-A and Double-A in 2025 was a major reason why Baez was able to break out, but his strikeout rate has regressed early on in 2026. Baez still has a chance to debut for the Cardinals at some point this season, but the club likely wants to see him get his whiffs under control first.

Kim is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Kim started the past four games after being reinstated from the injured list Monday, and he'll receive a break after collecting just one hit in his first 18 plate appearances of the season. Jorge Mateo will take over at shortstop in the series finale versus Boston.

Misiorowski (quadriceps) is listed as the Brewers' probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old departed his last start Wednesday versus San Diego due to quad cramps, but it looks like he'll be ready for his next turn through the rotation. Misiorowski has cramped up in two of three starts in May, but that hasn't stopped him from being a dominant force with a 29:4 K:BB and just six hits allowed across 18.1 scoreless innings this month.