MLB Player News

Wicks is slated to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals in St. Louis, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Wicks will be making a second turn through the rotation, but he'll receive the start mainly due to the Cubs' dwindling pitching depth rather than merit. The southpaw made his 2026 debut for the Cubs on Tuesday, taking a loss in Pittsburgh after yielding eight earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.1 innings. Wicks hadn't pitched especially well at Iowa prior to his promotion either, logging a 4.44 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB in 26.1 innings across seven starts.

Melton is slated to start in Friday's game against the White Sox in Chicago, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

As expected, Melton will remain in the rotation for at least one more turn after a serviceable showing in his 2026 MLB debut. The right-hander picked up a win Sunday while striking out three batters and limiting Baltimore to one earned run on two hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. Detroit will eventually get some pitching reinforcements with Justin Verlander (hip) and Tarik Skubal (elbow) due back from the IL within the next few weeks, so Melton could be battling Keider Montero for the final spot in the rotation.

The Pirates activated Jones (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Jones is set to make his season debut for the Pirates on Friday just over one year after undergoing UCL surgery on his right elbow. The 24-year-old pitched well in five rehab starts, logging a 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB across 18.2 innings. Jones threw 76 pitches in his last outing, so he should be capable of a workload of 85-90 pitches versus Minnesota.

Okert secured his sixth hold Thursday after pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in a 5-1 win over Texas. He hit a batter but did not allow any hits or walks.

Okert entered in the seventh inning and recorded the final out of the frame before returning for the eighth, when he induced a popout and plunked a batter before being pulled. It was the 34-year-old's third straight scoreless appearance out of the bullpen. The left-hander holds a 3.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB through 24 innings on the campaign.

The Rays designated Heasley for assignment Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Tampa Bay is bringing up a fresh arm in Andrew Wantz, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Heasley threw 64 pitches across four innings of relief in Wednesday's 11-2 loss to the Orioles, allowing five runs on eight hits with two strikeouts.

The Rays optioned Williams to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Ben Williamson (back) returning from the injured list, Williams will head back to the minors. The 22-year-old has really struggled at the plate across his first 139 big-league trips to the dish, slashing a paltry .155/.204/.302 with five homers, 15 RBI, 17 runs scored, two stolen bases and an 8:55 BB:K. He's hit .100 with a .290 OPS across 33 plate appearances this season.

The Reds placed Ashcraft on the 60-day injured list Friday with a UCL sprain in his right elbow, Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati reports.

Ashcraft felt discomfort following his last appearance Monday versus the Mets, and an MRI revealed UCL damage. The reliever will not undergo surgery at this point, but he will be given an injection and is expected to miss multiple months. It's a major blow to the Cincinnati bullpen, as Ashcraft has logged a 3.33 ERA and 32:16 K:BB over 27 innings while notching one save.

The Rays activated Williamson (back) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Williamson returning from his lower-back strain, Carson Williams is being sent back to Triple-A Durham. Williamson last played May 12 and has slashed .268/.349/.339 with zero homers, 14 RBI, 19 runs scored, four stolen bases and a 14:24 BB:K across 127 plate appearances this season while mainly seeing action at second base.

The Reds selected Marte's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Marte will join a big-league roster for the first time since he was with the Phillies in August of 2024. In 20 games with Triple-A Louisville this year, the 31-year-old registered a 5.12 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB. Cincinnati will transfer Graham Ashcraft (elbow) to the 60-day IL to make room for Marte on the active roster.

Thielbar picked up his second hold Thursday after pitching one scoreless inning while allowing two walks and no hits with two strikeouts in a 7-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Thielbar was called upon in relief for the second straight day and registered another scoreless frame. The 39-year-old entered in the seventh inning, striking out Brandon Lowe and Oneil Cruz to maintain the 3-2 lead, though he made things interesting with a pair of walks. Thielbar has posted a 2.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB with two saves and two holds in his 10th major league season.