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  • Cubs designate Vinny Nittoli for assignment Friday
    Cubs designated RHP Vinny Nittoli for assignment.

    Advice: Interesting. Nittoli was just signed to a major league contract by the Cubs on Thursday, but he gets the boot from the 40-man roster before appearing in a single game with his new club. Perhaps they’re trying to sneak him through waivers to stash him at Triple-A, but given Nittoli’s 2.25 ERA with the A’s this season it seems unlikely that he’ll make it. Rotoworld Friday, 2:18 pm
     
  • Struggles again in rehab start
    Kremer (triceps) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in his third rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports. He struck out five batters.

    Advice: Kremer got his pitch count up to 75 and looks ready to return from the 15-day injured list from a workload standpoint, but it's unclear if Baltimore is keen on slotting him back into the rotation while he's largely struggled during the minor-league assignment. The right-hander has posted an 11.42 ERA and 9:4 K:BB over 8.2 innings across his three starts. He's been out since late May with a right triceps strain. Rotowire.com Thursday, 10:52 am
     
  • Resting Thursday
    Barnhart is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

    Advice: Barnhart had started behind the plate in three of the past four games but will get a breather for the day game after the night game. Jose Herrera will handle the catching duties Thursday, but Barnhart looks poised to serve as the Diamondbacks' top backstop until Gabriel Moreno (thumb) is back from the injured list. Rotowire.com Thursday, 10:50 am
     
  • Dean Kremer struggles in rehab start
    Dean Kremer allowed four runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

    Advice: It’s another poor rehab start for Kremer, who now has an 11.42 ERA during his rehab assignment. He did strike out five while throwing 75 pitches, so it’s possible he could be up to 80-90 pitches in his next outing. Whether the Orioles decide that will come at Triple-A or in the majors is anybody’s guess right now. Rotoworld Thursday, 10:42 am
     
  • Catches on with North Siders
    Nittoli agreed to a one-year contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: The Cubs will hope that Nittoli can bolster a bullpen that ranks 24th in the majors this season with a collective 4.52 ERA. The 33-year-old previously made seven appearances in the big leagues with the Athletics this season, logging a 2.25 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in eight innings prior to being moved off the 40-man roster and electing free agency last week. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:13 am
     
  • Cubs sign reliever Vinny Nittoli
    According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Cubs signed reliever Vinny Nittoli to a major league contract.

    Advice: The 33-year-old reliever was actually good in Oakland this season but was still designated for assignment last week after posting a 2.25 ERA in eight innings. The Cubs have also found success with Tyson Miller, who they signed after he was designated for assignment, so they’ll hope to catch lightning in a bottle twice and bring some much-needed life to a bullpen that has really struggled this season. Rotoworld Thursday, 8:10 am
     
  • Likely back when first eligible
    Blackmon (hamstring) will meet the Rockies at the start of their series against the White Sox on Friday and is likely to be activated from the injured list when first eligible Saturday, MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Blackmon has been working out in Denver and is apparently fully recovered from the hamstring strain. The veteran outfielder's return hasn't been made official, but it appears he'll end up spending only the 10-day minimum on the injured list. Rotowire.com Thursday, 6:38 am
     
  • Plays back-to-back days
    Thomas (hamstring) started in center field and played seven innings for Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

    Advice: Thomas played in the field on back-to-back days, bolstering the Diamondbacks' hopes of having him rejoin the parent club this weekend against the Athletics. Per Arizona assistant general manager Mike Fitzgerald, the outfielder will play Friday and Saturday for the Aces. After that, he could return to the Diamondbacks, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Thomas is 1-for-7 in two games at Reno and 8-for-20 overall on the current rehab assignment, including a stint at the Arizona Complex League. Rotowire.com Thursday, 5:42 am
     
  • IL stay to be minimal
    Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday the club is looking for Moreno (thumb) to return after a minimum stay on the 10-day injured list, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. He's eligible to return next Tuesday.

    Advice: Moreno, who has been hitting off a tee and playing catch, will begin ramping up Thursday. That's when he'll catch a bullpen session thrown by injured ace Zac Gallen (hamstring). After that, the catcher is scheduled for a game in the Arizona Complex League over the weekend, setting up a potential return Tuesday, when the club kicks off a three-game set on the road against the Dodgers. Rotowire.com Thursday, 5:28 am