• Julio Theran opts out of minors deal with Cubs
    Julio Teheran has elected free agency.

    Advice: The 33-year-old hurler chose to exercise the opt-out clause in his minor league contract with the Cubs and is once again back on the open market. Teheran made eight brutal starts at Triple-A Iowa where he posted a cringe-inducing 8.82 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and a 37/11 K/BB ratio over 32 2/3 innings of work. Rotoworld 20 minutes ago
  • Taking seat
    Soler is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

    Advice: Soler is hitless in his last 14 at-bats with four strikeouts and will get a day off Saturday to regroup. Trenton Brooks will be the Giants' designated hitter and bat seventh. Rotowire.com 21 minutes ago
  • Vaughn Grissom diagnosed with hamstring strain
    Vaughn Grissom was pulled from Saturday’s contest against the Tigers in the third inning due to a right hamstring strain.

    Advice: Grissom missed plenty of action at the start of the 2024 season due to a left hamstring strain, so same issue but different leg. The severity of the strain — as well as how much time he may stand to miss — are not yet known. Connor Wong replaced him at second base on Saturday but obviously wouldn’t be a long-term option there if Grissom is forced to miss extended time. Rotoworld 26 minutes ago
    Vaughn GrissomBOS - 2B,SS
    Bot 7, 6-1 vs DET
  • Opts out of deal
    Teheran opted out of his minor-league contract with the Cubs on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

    Advice: After a brief stint with the Mets, Teheran elected free agency and signed a MiLB deal with the Cubs in April. He has since started eight games, logging an 8.82 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across 32.2 innings. The 33-year-old righty will once again test his luck in the open market, though another minor-league deal is likely the most he can hope for. Rotowire.com 28 minutes ago
  • Seeking second opinion
    Middleton (forearm) will get a second opinion from a specialist Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Middleton underwent an MRI on Friday after being checked out by team doctors and it appears he may be dealing with a significant injury to his throwing arm. Season-ending surgery has yet to be ruled out, though even if he avoids surgery, Middleton could have to start over after being close to returning from the 15-day IL just days before reporting the injury. Regardless, there should be more clarity regarding Middleton's status in the coming days. Rotowire.com 45 minutes ago
  • Andrew Benintendi leaves early with Achilles issue
    Andrew Benintendi was pulled from Saturday afternoon’s matchup against the Brewers due to left Achilles tendinitis.

    Advice: Benintendi got the White Sox on the board in the third inning with a 397-foot blast off of Robert Gasser. Perhaps he irritated something on the swing or while rounding the bases though, as he was replaced by Dominic Fletcher when the White Sox took the field. The club should have an update on his status — and potential timeline for his return — after the game. Rotoworld 49 minutes ago
  • Out through All-Star break
    Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Merryweather (ribs) will not return until after the All-Star break, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: Merryweather has been on the IL since early April due to a rib stress fracture in his back. He's only a couple weeks into his throwing program, but the Cubs have already determined that it will take at least another month-and-a-half to get the 32-year-old reliever ready for game action. As Merryweather continues to check off boxes in his rehab process, a more exact return date should emerge. Rotowire.com 50 minutes ago
  • Leaves early Saturday
    Benintendi exited Saturday's contest against the Brewers in the bottom of the third inning with left Achilles tendinitis.

    Advice: Benintendi launched a solo home run off Robert Gasser in the top of the third inning, delivering the White Sox an early 1-0 lead, before leaving the game in the bottom half of the frame. Dominic Fletcher took over in the outfield and more information on Benintendi's status will likely come following the contest. Rotowire.com 55 minutes ago
  • Could start rehab stint this week
    Matz (back) will throw a full-intensity bullpen Monday and could get sent on a minor-league rehab assignment if the bullpen session goes well, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Monday's bullpen session will be Matz's third since he hit the IL with a back injury. The southpaw has missed a full month of action and would likely need a couple of rehab starts before returning to the Cardinals' active roster. In the meantime, Andre Pallante is set to fill Matz's spot in the rotation. Rotowire.com 57 minutes ago
    Steven MatzSTL - SP,RP
    4:15 pm @PHI