MLB Player News

Swanson went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, a triple, a hit-by-pitch, four total RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

Swanson started the Cubs' comeback effort with a two-run triple in the seventh inning. He added a two-run homer in the ninth to put his team ahead for the first time in the game, and Corbin Martin was able to make that lead stand. Swanson is 5-for-17 with three extra-base hits and nine RBI over his last five games. For the season, the shortstop is batting .209 with an .802 OPS, six homers, 21 RBI, 22 runs scored, a double, a triple and a steal over 26 contests.

Senzatela earned the save Friday against the Mets, allowing no runs on no hits and no walks while striking out one in 1.2 innings of work.

Senzatela was tasked with cleaning up a mess in the eighth inning after Jaden Hill lasted just 0.1 innings and allowed two runs on four hits. With runners on first and second and just one out, he induced a line-drive double play to escape the eighth. Then, with closer Victor Vodnik experiencing some trouble lately and Senzatela at just two pitches, the 31-year-old was trusted to pitch the ninth inning, and he worked a clean frame. It's just the latest example of the hot start that he's been on this season, allowing just one earned run in 18 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts. As a result, it wouldn't be surprising to see him earn more save chances as the season rolls on.

Martin struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

Martin has allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out two over four scoreless innings in the majors this season. The 30-year-old right-hander is getting steady usage since the Cubs selected his contract from Triple-A Iowa last Saturday. The Cubs' bullpen is in flux currently since Daniel Palencia (lat), Caleb Thielbar (hamstring), Phil Maton (knee) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) are all on the injured list. Martin is one of four pitchers to log a save for the Cubs this season, and only Thielbar has multiple saves despite the team's first-place standing in the NL Central. It's unclear if Martin will be called on again for save chances in the near term, but he's pitched well enough to earn some additional looks in the late innings.

Gelof went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and an additional run scored in Friday's 8-1 victory over the Rangers.

The 26-year-old picked up a fourth start in five games with Denzel Clarke (foot) on the injured list and finally got his bat going Friday, clubbing a two-run home run in the ninth inning to close out the scoring. Gelof may continue to get regular playing time in the short term with Clarke on the shelf, but he isn't likely to generate much fantasy upside given his lack of success at the MLB level (.174/.230/.272 slash line over 30 contests last season) since posting an .841 OPS in 69 games as a rookie in 2023.

Taillon allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.

Taillon gave up a three-run home run to Will Smith in the third inning, which was the bulk of the damage. This was the third time in five outings Taillon has surrendered at least four runs, and it's also the third time he's walked at least three batters. The veteran right-hander now has a 4.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB across 27.2 innings this season. He's projected to make his next start on the road versus the Padres.

House went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in Friday's 5-4 loss to the White Sox.

House took a Jordan Leasure slider over the fence to lead off the top of the eighth inning to tie the game 4-4. It was House's third long ball of the season and first since April 6. He's now got a six-game hitting streak and owns a .240/.284/.375 slash line with 10 RBI, 12 runs scored, one stolen base and a 6:32 BB:K across 102 plate appearances.

Lorenzen (2-2) earned the win Friday against the Mets, allowing one run on seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters in seven innings.

Lorenzen had his longest outing of the season Friday, throwing seven strong innings and allowing just one run in by far his best start of the year. The 34-year-old hasn't struck out more than four batters in a start this season, and that streak continued Friday, but the right-hander didn't walk anybody and worked through seven innings on just 90 pitches by pitching to contact. Despite the strong start, his season-long numbers still are a bit inflated, as he holds a 5.97 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP in 28.2 innings on the season. His next start is scheduled for Thursday against the Reds.

Mikolas didn't factor into the decision Friday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on four hits with one strikeout across 3.2 innings.

Mikolas once again worked as the bulk reliever behind opener PJ Poulin, who went 1.2 scoreless innings. Mikolas threw 51 pitches and generated just three whiffs, surrendering Munetaka Murakami's league-leading 11th home run along the way. The right-hander has now given up seven long balls in 23.1 innings. He'll carry an 8.49 ERA and 16:10 K:BB into his next outing.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Friday's 5-4 win over the Nationals.

With the two-hit night, Vargas pushed his average over the Mendoza line for the first time since April 10. He now has a five-game hitting streak and multiple knocks in three of those. Vargas is now slashing .209/.342/.429 with five home runs, 13 RBI, 19 runs scored, five stolen bases and a 17:16 BB:K across 111 plate appearances.

Rasmussen (2-0) earned the victory Friday against the Twins, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out six in six innings of work.

Rasmussen rebounded from his worst outing of the young season by shutting down the Twins offense to the tune of one run in six innings. The lone blemish was a home run surrendered to Brooks Lee, but the 30-year-old was sharp outside of that to make it four out of five starts on the year allowing one earned run or fewer. The right-hander is now 2-0 on the season with a 2.45 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 25.2 innings. His next scheduled appearance is set for Wednesday against the Guardians.