MLB Player News

Busch went 3-for-4 with a walk, a home run and two total RBI in Tuesday's 3-2, 10-inning win over the Reds.

Busch was the only Chicago player with multiple hits and led the way offensively Tuesday. The first baseman has been good lately with a .304 batting average, two home runs and 14 RBI over his last 12 games. Overall, Busch is batting .229 with a .697 OPS, three homers and 20 RBI in 35 contests, and his recent stretch suggests that those numbers will trend upward.

Grove (shoulder) is scheduled to face hitters this weekend, MLB.com reports.

It's set to be Grove's first session since opening the season on the injured list amid his recovery from last year's right shoulder surgery. The right-hander is then slated to go on a minor-league rehab assignment sometime thereafter. Barring any setbacks, Grove should be an option for the Rays at some point in June.

Vierling went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 10-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Vierling was one of the few bright spots for Detroit, as he went deep to lead off in the bottom of the first inning. It was only the second long ball of the year for the veteran utility player, who is batting just .221 with a .669 OPS. Vierling has seen a bit more playing time lately with Parker Meadows (arm) and Javier Baez (ankle) both on the injured list, but he isn't guaranteed to hold onto a regular role for the rest of the season.

Pagan was removed from Tuesday's game against the Cubs with a left hamstring injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Pagan fell to the ground after throwing one pitch in the ninth inning of Tuesday's contest and immediately began grabbing his left hamstring. The 34-year-old righty was unavailable for a few games in mid-April after tweaking the same hamstring, and although the details of his latest injury are still unknown, the fact that he had to leave the game on a cart suggests he could now be forced to spend time on the injured list. If that ends up being the case, Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft would be next up to close games for the Reds.

The Nationals optioned Granillo to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

After giving up four earned runs over two innings in Tuesday's loss to Minnesota, Granillo now owns a 9.64 ERA and 2.25 WHIP over 9.1 major-league innings. He'll attempt to get back on track in Triple-A, though he has also struggled with the Red Wings (10 ER, 5.0 IP).

The Angels signed Lucchesi to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Lucchesi previously spent part of March and April with the big-league club but struggled to a 13.50 ERA, 3.90 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB over 3.1 innings spanning five relief appearances. The southpaw does have ample major-league experience and was much better with San Francisco last season -- posting a 3.76 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 31:12 K:BB over 38.1 frames while recording six holds -- so the Angels are giving him another look in the minors. Lucchesi will likely need to demonstrate improved results, though, to get another call-up to the big-league club.

The Nationals designated Rutledge for assignment Tuesday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Rutledge will end up without a spot on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Max Kranick (elbow), who signed a major-league contract with Washington on Tuesday. Rutledge gave up seven earned runs in just 1.1 innings during his lone MLB appearance this season and owns a 3.38 ERA and 1.53 WHIP through 13.1 frames at Triple-A Rochester.

The Angels released Strickland on Tuesday, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Strickland had previously been released by the organization March 21 but returned on a minor-league contract six days later. However, he struggled mightily in 10 games with Triple-A Salt Lake, registering a 13.14 ERA, 2.15 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB across 12.1 innings. Strickland is 37 years of age, but he's had periods of big-league success in the past, so another team may be willing to take a chance on him, probably on another minor-league deal.

The Angels released Zabala on Tuesday, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Zabala joined Los Angeles on a minor-league deal in mid-January after spending his previous two seasons in Japan. He didn't break camp with the big-league club and recorded a poor 6.30 ERA, 2.30 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB over 10 innings spanning nine relief appearances with Double-A Rocket City. Zabala has just two games of major-league experience -- he gave up three hits and a walk but no runs across 2.2 frames with Miami back in 2022.

Valdez was ejected from Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Valdez wasn't exactly having a great time on the mound Tuesday, as he had given up eight runs by the end of the third inning. After giving up another two runs on a pair of solo homers from Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu to lead off the fourth, Valdez hit Trevor Story with a pitch, which caused the benches to clear. No punches were thrown, but Valdez had still been ejected by the time the dust settled. The 32-year-old southpaw will take a 4.57 ERA and 1.41 WHIP into his next start, which may be delayed if he faces additional discipline from Major League Baseball.