MLB Player News

The Cubs recalled Barnes from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

The left-hander was demoted nearly two weeks ago but is now back in the majors with Riley Martin (elbow) heading to the injured list. Barnes allowed three runs on four hits with one strikeout and three walks over three innings during his lone big-league appearance this year.

Jax did not factor into the decision in Sunday's game against the Twins. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across 2.1 innings.

Jax was effective as the Rays' opener in Sunday's series finale, tossing 20 strikes on 31 pitches (64.5 percent) while generating seven whiffs to set up Jesse Scholtens, the latter of whom was credited with the win. Jax now sits at a 6.35 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 12:8 K:BB across 11.1 innings this season. Scholtens is tentatively slated to pitch next weekend at home against the Giants, and it's possible the Jax opens that game as well.

The Angels selected Rivero's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

The 27-year-old is joining the MLB roster to serve as the backup catcher with Logan O'Hoppe (wrist) landing on the injured list. Rivero will likely see sporadic playing time behind fill-in starter Travis d'Arnaud.

The Angels selected Lucchesi's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

The left-hander re-signed with the Halos after being designated for assignment and electing free agency in early May, and he'll now get another chance in the majors. Lucchesi allowed two earned runs with a 2:4 K:BB in his first three outings of the year for the Angels. He had a 3.76 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 38.1 innings with the Giants in 2025.

The Angels recalled Fermin from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

The right-hander was unable to earn a place on the Halos' Opening Day roster but will now get a look a month into the season. Fermin had a 4.46 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 39:23 K:BB across 34.1 big-league innings last year, and he's given up four earned runs with a 16:9 K:BB over 11 frames to begin the season with Salt Lake.

The Diamondbacks selected Valdez's contract from Double-A Amarillo and appointed him the 27th man for Sunday's game against the Padres.

The two clubs get a 27th man for the Mexico City Series this weekend, which will allow Valdez to get his first taste of the big leagues. The 28-year-old had an .853 OPS in 23 games with Amarillo last year but struggled to a .634 OPS when up with Triple-A Reno.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Ramirez started the previous eight games, but he'll hit the bench Sunday after posting a .206/.229/.353 slash line during that stretch. Liam Hicks will take over behind the plate while Heriberto Hernandez steps into the lineup for the series finale in San Francisco.

Muncy (illness) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Muncy started Saturday despite feeling under the weather and clubbed an early homer before being lifted in the fourth inning. The ailment apparently isn't responsible for Muncy's absence from the lineup Sunday, however, as he was scheduled for a day off versus Chicago lefty Shota Imanaga. Santiago Espinal is picking up a start at third base in the series finale.

Smith (back) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

The veteran backstop was held out of the lineup Saturday due to back tightness and was expected to rejoin the lineup Sunday, but the Dodgers will instead give him an extra day to recover. Manager Dave Roberts said the injured list isn't currently being considered and indicated that Smith could play Sunday, if necessary. Dalton Rushing will pick up a second straight start behind the plate for the Dodgers.

D'Arnaud (foot) is starting behind the plate and batting eighth Sunday against the Royals, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After battling a foot injury, the 37-year-old is making his first start in a week due to Logan O'Hoppe landing on the injured list due to a fractured wrist. D'Arnaud has tallied just 19 plate appearances through the Angels' first 28 games of the season, but he's now poised to operate as the club's primary catcher while O'Hoppe is on the shelf. Sebastian Rivero was called up to take over the backup job.