MLB Player News

Vivas went 2-for-5 with a walk, a double and three RBI in Friday's rout of the Diamondbacks.

Getting the start at third base and batting sixth, Vivas smacked a two-run double down the right-field line in the third inning before adding an RBI single in the ninth. The 25-year-old infielder has also seen time at second base this season, and over 137 plate appearances in 2026 he's slashing .239/.326/.325 with one homer, zero steals, eight RBI and 16 runs.

Wetherholt (groin) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Reds, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Groin soreness has kept Wetherholt out of the lineup for both of the Cardinals' last two games, and he'll sit out again Saturday while Bryan Torres picks up a start at the keystone. The Cards don't anticipate Wetherholt moving to the injured list, so he'll likely return to action within the next couple of days.

The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Roberts owns an impressive 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 18.1 innings on the year, but he's given up four runs (three earned) over his last three outings and will now return to Triple-A to get back on track. Javier Assad was recalled from Iowa to fill the open bullpen spot.

The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Assad owns a 5.88 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 26 innings in the big leagues this season, and he hasn't been much better since being sent down to Iowa on May 17 (6.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). Despite his recent struggles, he'll rejoin the Cubs to provide a fresh arm capable of going multiple innings out of the bullpen. Ethan Roberts was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and an RBI in Friday's win over the Padres.

The 28-year-old infielder is locking in at the plate. Bichette has six hits in the last two games, and over his last 18 contests he's slashing .282/.333/.465 with two doubles, a triple, three homers, 10 runs and 14 RBI.

Phillips didn't factor into the decision in Friday's loss to the Rays, giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 relief innings, He struck out three.

The right-hander worked in tandem with Ryan Gusto, who got the start and took the loss after coughing up three runs of his own in just two innings. Phillips wound up tossing 82 pitches (50 strikes) to help save the rest of the bullpen, and he even took a comebacker off the foot from Yandy Diaz in the fifth inning but was able to stay in the game. The Marlins' injury-depleted staff can ill afford to lose another arm, and assuming the foot isn't an issue, Phillips should get another turn as a starter or bulk reliever during next week's home series against the Diamondbacks. Over 18 appearances (two starts) this season, he carries a 2.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 36:22 K:BB in 43.1 innings.

Arroyo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

Arroyo will take a seat Saturday after going 2-for-10 with two walks and six strikeouts across his first four games as an MLB player. Spencer Steer will start at second base in Arroyo's stead, and Noelvi Marte will enter the starting nine as Cincinnati's right fielder.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Stephenson broke an 0-for-12 stretch at the plate by hitting a single in Friday's loss, and he'll now retreat to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. P.J. Higgins will fill in at catcher and bat ninth.

McKenzie allowed just one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings in his debut for Single-A Augusta on Friday. He struck out eight.

A fourth-round pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft who got a well-above-slot $3 million signing bonus to buy him out of a commitment to LSU, McKenzie made only three starts in the Florida Complex League this season to begin his pro career before earning a promotion, delivering a 0.79 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 11.1 innings in the FCL. The 19-year-old lefty sports a mid-90s fastball, a promising changeup and a curveball that's already flashing plus, and his frame and portside delivery have drawn early comparisons to Rangers southpaw MacKenzie Gore.

Dunn started in center field and went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Friday's 10-3 loss to St. Louis.

Dunn opened the game with a single and scored the Reds' first run. This was his second straight start in center field, after the club demoted TJ Friedl on Wednesday. At the very least, Dunn will serve on the strong side of a platoon there with Dane Myers entering the lineup against lefties. Dunn is slashing .284/.333/.420 over 87 plate appearances since his call-up in early May.