MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Merryweather (ribs/back) could start a throwing program Monday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The right-hander has been shut down since he suffered a rib stress fracture in his back in early April but is now ready to start up a throwing program. Merryweather will be eligible to return from the 60-day IL in early June but will likely require a bit more time before being ready to be reinstated.

The Cubs placed Brewer on the 15-day injured list Friday with a lower-back injury, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

It's not clear when Brewer's back began bothering him, but his last appearance came on Sunday in Pittsburgh. He's been an effective middle reliever for the Cubs this season, collecting a 3.09 ERA and 12:4 K:BB over 11.2 frames. Porter Hodge will absorb his spot in the bullpen.

Diekman gave up an unearned run in the 11th inning Thursday, walking one and striking out one, to record his first save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Phillies.

The veteran southpaw couldn't stop the phantom runner from coming home thanks in part to a Pete Alonso error, but Diekman otherwise wiggled out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam to preserve the comeback win. Edwin Diaz had blown his third save of the season in the ninth inning, but the Mets aren't yet showing any inclination to make a switch at closer. Diekman's control issues could keep him out of consideration for saves even if the job does become open, however -- through 14 innings this season he has a 3.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB.

Lopez (1-0) picked up the win in Thursday's extra-innings victory over the Phillies, walking one batter in a scoreless 10th inning.

The 31-year-old right-hander has seen his numbers take a step backward in May, and through seven innings this month he has a 3.86 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB. Lopez got the job done Thursday though, and he's collected one win, two saves and six holds in 22 appearances while giving the Mets some valuable middle-relief depth.

Chapman (finger) struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless inning to earn a hold Thursday against the Cubs.

Chapman was removed from Sunday's appearance with a cracked fingernail, but the issue was never expected to require a long-term absence. After beginning the season as the Pirates' primary setup man, Chapman appeared in the seventh inning Thursday while Colin Holderman followed him in the eighth frame.

Martinez (1-2) earned the win over the Dodgers on Thursday, pitching five shutout innings in relief while allowing one hit and striking out four.

Martinez relieved Justin Wilson to open the bottom of the third and proceeded to retire 15 of the 16 batters he faced while generating 12 swings and misses. Martinez has been outstanding in a relief role and carries a 0.87 ERA to go along with a 9:2 K:BB through 10.1 innings in May over four appearances.

Bednar picked up the save against the Cubs on Thursday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Bednar entered the game to protect a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and needed only eight pitches to retire the side and secure his ninth save of the season. The right-handed reliever has converted each of his last eight save attempts and carries a 2.57 ERA in May to go along with a 6:2 K:BB. Bednar has also recorded at least one strikeout in three straight appearances and in six of seven appearances overall this month.

Alvarado (1-2) took the loss during Thursday's 11-inning 6-5 loss to the Mets, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks across one inning. He struck out two.

Alvarado didn't take the mound until the 11th frame with the score tied 4-4 and ended up with the loss. He allowed a single to J.D. Martinez to open up the inning -- scoring designated runner Francisco Lindor -- before Harrison Bader doubled to put two runners aboard. Alvarado managed to retire the next three batters he faced; however, Martinez crossed home plate on a wild pitch to give the Mets an insurance run. Through 18.2 innings, Alvarado owns a 3.86 ERA and is 8-for-8 in save chances.

Diaz blew the save Thursday against Philadelphia, allowing one run on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts over one inning.

Diaz inherited a one-run lead for the bottom of the ninth but was unable to convert his sixth save of 2024. Instead, Diaz walked Brandon Marsh and then allowed Marsh to reach second on a wild pitch before Bryson Stott hit an RBI single to send the game into extras. Diaz has blown three of his last four save chances and has allowed six runs over his last eight innings.

The Dodgers optioned Salazar to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Salazar was recalled from Triple-A and made his season debut Wednesday, allowing one unearned run while striking out three batters and walking two across two innings. He'll now return to the minors in favor of Nick Ramirez, who was recalled in a corresponding move.