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

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com 24 minutes ago
     
  • Brewer placed on injured list
    Cubs placed RHP Colten Brewer on the 15-day injured list with a lower back tightness.

    Advice: Brewer had a 3.09 ERA with 12 strikeouts and four walks in 11 2/3 innings pitching out of the bullpen for the Cubs. He spent time with the Yankees last year as he’s bounced around after being drafted by the Pirates in the fourth round in 2011. The Cubs recalled Porter Hodge to fill Brewer’s spot while he’s out. Rotoworld 35 minutes ago
     
  • Recalled from Triple-A
    The Cubs recalled Hodge from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: Hodge has posted a 4.80 ERA and walked 12 over 15 innings this season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, but he's also struck out 26. This is the first stint in the majors for the 23-year-old, so he'll be making his big-league debut when/if he enters a game. Rotowire.com 45 minutes ago
     
  • Mushinski called up Friday
    Astros recalled LHP Parker Mushinski from Triple-A Sugar Land.

    Advice: No word yet on a corresponding move. Mushinski has an 11.25 ERA in four appearances with the Astros this season. The 28-year-old has appeared in 24 games with Houston over the past three years and has a 5.88 ERA. Rotoworld 47 minutes ago
     
  • Lands on IL with back injury
    The Cubs placed Brewer on the 15-day injured list Friday with a lower-back injury, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com 48 minutes ago
     
  • Progressing from blister
    Bido is making progress in his recovery from a blister that he suffered to his pitching hand during a May 8 spot start against the Rangers, and the Athletics are viewing him as a potential option for the big-league rotation, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: After turning in a 2.59 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 31.1 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas, Bido was called up May 8 to make a spot start in the Athletics' doubleheader with the Rangers that day. He was pulled midway through the third inning of the second game of the twin bill after developing the blister and was returned to Las Vegas two days later. Bido hasn't pitched for Las Vegas since, but assuming the blister isn't providing any further complications for him, the right-hander could be an option to rejoin the big club as soon as Friday, when Oakland will have an opening in the rotation for its series opener in Kansas City. Bido served as the 27th man for the doubleheader last week, so he's eligible to be called back up at any time. Rotowire.com Today, 9:10 am
     
  • Headed back to majors
    The Astros will recall Mushinski from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Friday's game versus the Brewers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: There's no word yet on what the corresponding move will be, but Shawn Dubin threw three innings Thursday so he is a candidate to be options. Mushinski has been knocked around for seven runs (five earned) over four relief innings during his time in the majors this season. Rotowire.com Today, 9:08 am
     
  • Spotted in clubhouse
    Hodge was spotted in the Cubs' clubhouse prior to Friday's game against the Pirates, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: No roster moves have been announced yet, but it would appear the Cubs could be adding Hodge to their bullpen. The 23-year-old holds a 4.80 ERA and 26:12 K:BB over 15 innings between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa this season. It would be Hodge's first major-league promotion. Rotowire.com Today, 9:00 am
     
  • Secures first save
    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.

    Advice: 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. Rotowire.com Today, 7:55 am