• Set to be sent down
    The Cubs are expected to option Mervis to Triple-A Iowa before Saturday's contest against the Brewers, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Mervis was called up to the majors on April 23 after a strong start in Triple-A, slashing .288/.402/.606 with six doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI over 82 plate appearances with Iowa. That hasn't translated to the big club, as he's gone 3-for-26 with three RBI and eight strikeouts over nine games. Manager Craig Counsell noted that Mervis needs to go "back to the drawing board" in Triple-A, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Mervis' move to Triple-A is to make room for the Cubs to call up Miles Mastrobuoni. Rotowire.com 17 minutes ago
     
  • Andrew Vaughn not starting Saturday vs. STL
    Andrew Vaughn is not in the starting lineup for Saturday’s game against the Cardinals.

    Advice: Vaughn, 26, has swung the bat much better as of late with his average rising to .196 from the .157 mark he carried on April 24. He’ll get a day off with Gavin Sheets handling first base and Robbie Grossman starting in right field. Rotoworld 46 minutes ago
     
  • Spencer Torkelson moves down to seventh spot
    Spencer Torkelson is hitting seventh and playing first base against the Yankees on Saturday.

    Advice: Torkelson continues to move down in the lineup, and it’s easy to justify with a slash of .212/.282/.288 over 132 plate appearances. The first-overall pick in 2020 was excellent in the second-half of the 2023 campaign, but that hasn’t carried over whatsoever in 2024. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should be searching for a potential replacement if they haven’t cut bait already. Rotoworld 58 minutes ago
  • Increasing baseball activities
    Bellinger (ribs) is set to do hitting and defensive drills Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: Bellinger landed on the 10-day IL on April 24 after fracturing his right rib against the Astros the day prior. It's a good sign that the 2019 NL MVP is taking the first step in his recovery, and Cubs manager Craig Counsel suggested that Bellinger could return to the club next week, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. In his absence, Pete Crow-Armstrong has served as the primary starter in center field and is slashing .259/.250/.444 with one home run and seven RBI over 29 plate appearances this season. Rotowire.com Today, 8:29 am
    Cody BellingerCHC - 1B,OF
    11:20 am vs MIL
     
  • Bellinger, Suzuki participating in drills Saturday
    Cody Bellinger (rib) and Seiya Suzuki (oblique) are hitting and participating in defensive drills Saturday.

    Advice: Bellinger and Suzuki are key cogs of the Chicago offense, and both are working their way before from significant injuries. Both will need rehab assignments before they can return to the lineup, but it does appear both Suzuki and Bellinger could be back with the club before the end of May. Rotoworld Today, 8:29 am
    Cody BellingerCHC - 1B,OF
    11:20 am vs MIL
     
  • Slugs eighth homer
    Perez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run during Friday's 7-1 victory over the Rangers.

    Advice: Perez's three-run shot off Jose Urena capped off a six-run seventh inning for the Royals and extended the backstop's hitting streak to four games. He has yet to show any signs of slowing down at the plate, slashing .351/.413/.605 with eight homers and 30 RBI across his first 126 plate appearances. Rotowire.com Today, 7:39 am
     
  • Homers in win
    Schanuel went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, scored twice and drew a walk during Friday's 6-0 win over Cleveland.

    Advice: Schanuel's third-inning shot off Tanner Bibee put the Angels up 1-0, and singles in the fifth and eighth innings would help the 22-year-old secure his third multi-hit game in his last four contests. He has now hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games while slashing .388/.423/.531 with two homers and six RBI in that stretch. Rotowire.com Today, 7:37 am
  • Padres officially acquire Luis Arraez from Marlins
    Padres acquired Luis Arraez and cash considerations from the Marlins for OF Dillon Head, OF Jakob Marsee, 1B Nathan Martorella and RHP Woo-Suk Go.

    Advice: What was announced Friday is official Saturday. Arraez will head to the Padres after hitting .299 with a 719 OPS over 137 at-bats with the Marlins in 2023, and he’s a career .324/.377/.423 hitter in his time with the Fish and the Twins. He should play everyday and hit near the top of the order, but just keep in mind his strong average doesn’t come with help in other categories. Rotoworld Today, 7:36 am
     
  • Returns to action
    Encarnacion-Strand went 0-for-3 in Friday's 3-0 loss to Baltimore.

    Advice: Encarnacion-Strand missed the last four games with a hand injury. His first full season in the majors has gotten off to a rocky start: the first baseman is slashing .190/.216/.305 over 111 plate appearances. His strikeout rate is nearly identical to what it was in 2023, but the walk rate is about half of what it was last year and Encarnacion-Strand is in the fifth percentile in chase percentage. Rotowire.com Today, 6:19 am