MLB Player News

Fairbanks (2-2) picked up the win Sunday against the Mets, giving up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.

The Marlins closer did his part to maintain a 0-0 tie in the top of the ninth, and Fairbanks was rewarded for his efforts when Heriberto Hernandez walked it off with a grand slam. Both of Fairbanks' wins this season have come in four appearances since he was activated from the IL a little over a week ago, but on the season the right-hander has a shaky 7.62 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB in 13 innings while converting six of eight save chances.

Wicks will start for the Cubs during Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Wicks was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday to take the roster spot vacated by the injured Edward Cabrera (finger) and will also slide into Cabrera's open rotation slot. The left-handed Wicks allowed a total of just one run over his last three starts at Iowa, though that came with a 12:8 K:BB over 15 innings. Wicks is likely to get at least one additional start this weekend in St. Louis, though that could change if he fares poorly Tuesday.

Albies went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's loss to the Nationals.

The second baseman accounted for half of Atlanta's hits on the afternoon, and he crossed the plate with the team's only run in the ninth inning. Since seeing a 17-game hitting streak come to an end May 5, Albies fell into a funk, batting .059 (2-for-34) over the subsequent nine contests, but he may be coming out of it. Across his last eight games, he's batting .258 (8-for-31) with four RBI and seven runs, although his homer drought stands at 18 games.

Littell is slated to follow an opener in Monday's game against the Guardians, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Left-hander PJ Poulin will open things for the Nationals before Littell carries the bulk of the workload. Littell had a rough April but has settled in in May, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB over 17.2 frames covering two starts and two bulk-relief appearances.

Poulin will be the Nationals' opening pitcher in Monday's game versus the Guardians, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

It will be the sixth opener assignment this season for Poulin, who has permitted only one run with a 5:1 K:BB over 6.1 innings in the first five of those outings. Zack Littell is in line for bulk relief duty for the Nationals on Monday.

The Mets outrighted Kimbrel to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

Kimbrel will presumably elect free agency rather than accept an outright assignment, but he doesn't seem to have officially done that yet. The veteran reliever was booted off the Mets' 40-man roster last week after posting a 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15 innings.

Kelly went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Astros.

Kelly and Michael Busch were the only Chicago hitters with multiple hits on the day as the Cubs lost their eighth straight contest. Despite the team's struggles recently, Kelly has remained a bright spot with a .296/.380/.392 slash line across 39 games. The batting average and on-base percentage would be new career bests for the veteran catcher, who has held onto his role as Chicago's top backstop ahead of Miguel Amaya due to his strong play.

The Reds optioned Petty to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Petty was up as the 27th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, getting charged with four runs over five frames as a spot starter in the night cap of the twin bill. He's permitted seven earned runs across 10.2 frames during his brief time with the Reds this season. Petty will now rejoin the rotation at Louisville.

Cruz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Cruz entered Sunday's game having hit only .179 across his last 10 games, while having gone homerless in his last 11 contests. He ended the latter drought with a solo home run to lead off the second inning, his 11th long ball of the year. Cruz was also moved out of the leadoff spot against a right-handed pitcher for only the third time this season, instead hitting fifth.

Horwitz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Horwitz went yard on the first pitch of the game, tallying his fifth homer of the season. He served as Pittsburgh's leadoff hitter for the second time this season, displacing Oneil Cruz. Horwitz has been solid in May, tallying two home runs, 13 RBI and seven runs scored while hitting .306 across 19 games.