MLB Player News

Assad struck out two and allowed one unearned run on two hits and one walk over an inning of relief Monday in the Cubs' 8-6 loss to the Tigers in 10 innings.

Assad had started in his final two appearances before the All-Star break, but he ended up getting bumped to the bullpen to begin the second half after Jameson Taillon returned from the injured list and re-entered the rotation Monday. The Cubs further bolstered their rotation depth with the acquisition of Aaron Civale over the weekend, so Assad may not be in store for any starting opportunities anytime soon.

Double-A Binghamton placed Serrano on the 7-day injured list with a shoulder strain in mid-June, Matt Eddy of Baseball America.

Serrano, who last played June 13, could be back before the end of July, per Eddy's report. The 23-year-old outfielder has struggled in his first season at Double-A, slashing .193/.304/.339 with three home runs, six steals and a 26 percent strikeout rate in 54 games.

Hamilton (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hamilton has missed the last two weeks of action with a left hamstring strain but has been cleared to test things out in games. If all goes well, the speedy infielder could return from the injured list Friday. Joey Ortiz has posted a 1.013 OPS with three home runs in 11 games since Hamilton was hurt, so Hamilton could operate in more of a reserve role when he returns if the Brewers want to play the hot hand at third base.

France went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a loss to Atlanta.

France launched a 397-foot shot to left-center field in the seventh inning to extend one of the best stretches of his career at the plate. Over his past eight games, the veteran slugger is slashing a sizzling .464/.500/1.107 with five long balls, three doubles, 10 RBI, eight runs and a 2:3 BB:K. That's pushed France's season OPS to .887 -- on pace for the best mark of his career -- and has catapulted him to second place on the Padres with 15 homers on the campaign.

Reimer (groin) began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on July 14.

Reimer is hitting .429 with one home run in three FCL rehab games, most recently playing Monday. He tweaked his groin and went on the injured list at Double-A Binghamton on June 18, per Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Prior to the injury, Reimer had regressed compared to his run at Double-A in 2025, as he was slashing .212/.332/.391 with six home runs, 13 steals and an unlucky .271 BABIP in 50 games for the Rumble Ponies.

Machado went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to Atlanta on Monday.

Machado kicked off the scoring in the contest with a 402-foot solo shot to center field. That was his 20th long ball of the season, giving the veteran third baseman 11 consecutive campaigns -- excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season -- with 20-plus homers. While Machado's .708 OPS so far in 2026 is still on pace for a career-worst mark, he's been substantially better over the past month, posting a 1.016 OPS with eight home runs, 21 RBI and an 18:20 BB:K over his past 25 games.

Springer went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Monday's loss to the Rays.

It was the veteran slugger's seventh steal of the season, and his first since June 17. Springer missed a big chunk of the early July schedule while on the paternity and family leave lists, but he's hit safely in eight of his last nine games dating back to June 28, batting .278 (10-for-36) over that stretch with a triple, two homers, four RBI and six runs.

Palmquist will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher Tuesday in Colorado, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Palmquist is capable of more length than most openers, having struck out four over three innings of one-run ball in his last opener assignment versus the Yankees on July 10. Depending on how he fares early on during the game, Palmquist could end up being deployed as more of a piggyback starter in front of Miles Mikolas, who is lined up to pitch in bulk relief.

Mikolas will be deployed as a bulk reliever in Tuesday's game versus the Rockies, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Back in action after serving a five-game suspension, Mikolas will make his 13th appearance of the season out of the bullpen while pitching behind opener Carson Palmquist. Mikolas went four scoreless innings in bulk relief his last time out against the Yankees on July 11 and has fared much better this season in that role (3.51 ERA) than he has as a traditional starter (8.53 ERA).

Harry could be the next prospect in the Blue Jays' system in line for a promotion to the majors, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Acquired from the Twins in a 2024 trade for reliever Trevor Richards, Harry has had a breakout campaign after some offseason swing adjustments, slashing .316/.362/.560 with 13 homers and 15 steals across 75 games between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo. The 24-year-old's biggest selling point is his defensive versatility, however -- he's played both second base and shortstop this season in addition to all three outfield spots, and he has some experience at third base as well. If the Jays are sellers at the trade deadline, it could open up a spot on the 26-man roster for Harry to make his big-league debut and get a look in the super-utility role Ernie Clement previously thrived in.