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  • Throwing at 90 feet
    Matzek (elbow) has been playing catch from 90 feet, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Matzek has been shelved since May 7 due to inflammation in his left elbow, but has been slowly progressing since. He's yet to throw off a mound and isn't anywhere close to returning at this point. Rotowire.com Today, 2:38 pm
     
  • Selected to MLB roster
    The Cubs selected Lopez's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: After being released by the Mets in unceremonious fashion, Lopez signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs on June 12. He allowed three runs in one inning during a game in the Arizona Complex League, but he bounced back by throwing 2.2 scoreless frames at Triple-A Iowa. Now that he's back in the majors, the 31-year-old right-hander will presumably work in middle relief. Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Rotowire.com Today, 2:34 pm
     
  • Designated for assignment
    The Cubs designated Nittoli for assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: Nittoli signed a major-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday, but he's now been DFA'd twice within the past week. He did not appear in a game during his 24-hour stint with Chicago. Nittoli elected free agency after being pushed off the Athletics' 40-man roster last week, though it's unclear if he intends to do so again. His departure clears room on the Cubs' active roster for Jorge Lopez, who was selected from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. Rotowire.com Today, 2:27 pm
     
  • Seeking second opinion
    Almonte (shoulder) will get a second opinion next week, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: Almonte sustained a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain and will receive a second opinion in the coming days. The 30-year-old was transferred to the 60-day IL on Thursday and can be considered out indefinitely. Rotowire.com Today, 2:25 pm
     
  • Set for another bullpen
    Merryweather (ribs) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: Merryweather will incorporate an up-and-down into the session to replicate a half inning. The 32-year-old is still rehabbing in Arizona, but he's been throwing off a mound for nearly two weeks and should be relatively close to beginning a rehab assignment. Still, Merryweather won't be reinstated from the IL until at least late July. Rotowire.com Today, 2:21 pm
     
  • 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 Today, 2:18 pm
     
  • Placed on injured list
    The Cubs placed Thompson on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right rib fracture, retroactive to Thursday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: Thompson has fired 5.1 scoreless innings since returning from Triple-A Iowa on June 16, but he'll now be sidelined for at least the next two weeks as a result of his injury. Ethan Roberts will come up from the minors to fill the vacancy in Chicago's bullpen. Rotowire.com Today, 2:16 pm
     
  • Cubs promote Jorge Lopez from Triple-A Iowa
    Cubs selected the contract of RHP Jorge Lopez from Triple-A Iowa.

    Advice: The 31-year-old hurler inked a minor league deal with the Cubs just two weeks ago, so it didn’t take him long to work his way into the big-league bullpen. Lopez has logged 26 1/3 innings at the big-league level this season, posting a 3.76 ERA and a 19/11 K/BB ratio. Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Friday. Rotoworld Today, 2:15 pm
     
  • Recalled by Arizona
    The Diamondbacks recalled Castellanos from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

    Advice: It'll be the second stint in the majors for Castellanos this season after his contract was selected by Arizona on June 6. The 28-year-old right-hander made one appearance for the big club June 7 against the Padres and was optioned back to the minors the next day. Castellanos has started in 11 games for Triple-A Reno this season, but he will likely serve out of Arizona's bullpen with right-hander Scott McGough being optioned to Reno in the corresponding move and ace Zac Gallen (hamstring) set to return from the injured list Saturday. Rotowire.com Today, 2:15 pm