MLB Player News

Phillips recorded his first save of the season in Thursday's 8-1 win over the Reds, allowing two hits and a walk over three scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.

The right-hander collected three conventional one-inning saves over the final weeks of the 2025 season, but Phillips picked up a long-relief save Thursday to close out a rout. He's been effective to begin the current campaign, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 8.2 innings and four appearances, but Phillips doesn't appear to be the part of the high-leverage picture for the Marlins at the moment.

The Rays recalled Rock from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rock was off to an erratic start at Durham, yielding five runs with a 4:5 K:BB and two hit-by-pitches in 2.1 frames. He pitched well during his brief time with the Rays last season, however, permitting two runs with an 11:2 K:BB over 7.2 innings. The left-hander will give manager Kevin Cash a fresh bullpen option.

Boyd (biceps) will make a rehab start in the next week, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The left-hander was placed on the 15-day IL earlier this week due to a left biceps strain, so it's a good sign he'll be ready to take the mound again so quickly. Boyd was having trouble bouncing back between starts, so the extra rest could help. He's eligible to be activated from the injured list next weekend during a home series against the Mets.

Manager Craig Counsell said Suzuki (knee) will not play every day initially after being activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Suzuki suffered a strained PCL in the World Baseball Classic nearly a month ago, and the Cubs want to make sure not to push him too hard in the early going. The 30-year-old was equally effective against both left- and right-handed pitching last season, so both Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto are about equally likely to get chances to fill in for Suzuki in right field when he's being rested.

Ritchie has posted a 1.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings over three starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this season.

The 22-year-old right-hander is coming off his best outing of the year so far Tuesday, allowing just one run over seven innings against Nashville with a 7:1 K:BB. Ritchie isn't yet on the 40-man roster and may be behind Didier Fuentes in the pecking order for a promotion as a result if Atlanta needs rotation help, but he's building a string case to make his big-league debut at some point in 2026.

The Reds optioned Franco to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Franco made his MLB debut with the Reds on March 30 and worked three games out of the bullpen, registering a 3.18 ERA, 2.12 WHIP and 4:5 K:BB across 5.2 innings. He'll need to work on his command in the minors. In a corresponding move, the Reds recalled Kyle Nicolas from Louisville.

Fuentes has a 0.00 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB through 9.2 innings in his first two starts of the season for Triple-A Gwinnett.

The 20-year-old began the year in the big-league bullpen, but since being optioned to Gwinnett, Fuentes has dominated Triple-A hitters. He's likely first in line for a promotion when Atlanta needs rotation help, but with Reynaldo Lopez not set to miss a turn after having his suspension reduced to five games from seven and Martin Perez looking at least adequate so far as the fifth starter, Fuentes may need to bide his time in the International League.

The Reds recalled Nicolas from Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

Cincinnati optioned Jose Franco in a corresponding move. Nicolas was acquired from the Pirates during spring training and will make his Reds debut in his next appearance. The right-hander turned in a 4.74 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB across 38 innings with Pittsburgh last season.

The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Roberts will take the place of Phil Maton (knee) in the bullpen. Roberts worked 10 games out of the Cubs' bullpen last season, logging a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB across nine innings.

The Cubs designated Carlson for assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The move clears room on the 26-man roster for Seiya Suzuki, who was activated from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move Friday. Carlson went 0-for-4 with one run scored and a pair of strikeouts across three appearances with Chicago.