MLB Player News

Suzuki isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Reds.

Suzuki has gone 1-for-8 with two walks and an HBP since returning from an illness, and the Cubs will now give him a day to reset. Willi Castro will start in right field Saturday while Moises Ballesteros serves as the DH.

Kelly isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Cincinnati.

Kelly will receive a day off Saturday after going 2-for-4 with a strikeout during Friday's loss. Reese McGuire will catch for starter Javier Assad instead and bat ninth.

Nootbaar isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Nootbaar will get a chance to regroup Saturday after going 2-for-17 with an RBI and a run scored over his last five games. Alec Burleson will start in left field with Nootbaar out, opening up first base for Nolan Gorman.

Hodge was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

This is Hodge's second demotion to Triple-A this season. He gave up three earned runs, including two home runs, in one inning Friday in Cincinnati, and the Cubs will bring up a fresh arm (Jordan Wicks) to replace Hodge in the bullpen.

Wicks was recalled from Triple-A Iowa prior to Saturday's game against the Reds.

Wicks will return as left-handed bullpen depth after compiling a 3.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 71 innings operating as a starter who typically pitches fewer than five innings. He has an 8.71 ERA and 2.03 WHIP in 10.1 innings in the majors this year.

The Brewers selected Zimmermann's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Zimmermann has been at Nashville all season, turning in a 4.11 ERA and 1.23 WHIP alongside a 109:30 K:BB through 138 innings. Now back in the majors for the first time since 2023, the 30-year-old will provide Milwaukee with a left-handed bullpen option capable of pitching multiple innings. Joel Payamps was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Brewers designated Payamps for assignment Saturday.

Payamps owns a 7.23 ERA and 1.61 WHIP through 23.2 innings in the big leagues this year, though he gave up just two runs in 5.1 frames during his latest run with the big club. He'll now lose his place on the 40-man roster for the second time this season, freeing up space for Bruce Zimmermann.

Stewart is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cubs.

Stewart will head to the bench for a second game in a row, Friday against a lefty and Saturday against righty Javier Assad. The righty-hitting rookie has been swinging a hot bat (.972 OPS over his last 11 games), but Spencer Steer has been even more productive of late (three homers, eight RBI over last three games), and Steer is starting at first base and batting second Saturday.

Marte is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cubs.

Marte started five games in a row prior to sitting Thursday against a righty, starting Friday against a lefty and now sitting again against righty Javier Assad. In both cases, Will Benson has started in right field with Austin Hays in left. Marte is hitting .149 with 18 strikeouts and three walks over his last 12 games, so he may continue to lose playing time against righties. The Reds are tentatively scheduled to face only right-handed starters in their final eight games of the regular season.

Vientos is not in Saturday's lineup against the Nationals.

The 25-year-old third baseman had started 12 of the last 14 games, with his two off days coming against righties. Vientos is hitting .179 with two home runs and 19 strikeouts in 17 games this month. Brett Baty will man the hot corner while Starling Marte gets the start at designated hitter against righty Cade Cavalli.