• Swipes bag in Thursday's start
    Myers went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's extra-inning win over the Rockies.

    Advice: Getting the start in left field and batting seventh against right-hander Peter Lambert, Myers led off the bottom of the fourth inning by drawing a walk and promptly swiping second base, coming around to score on a Nick Fortes single. Myers has seen regular action between all three outfield positions since being promoted in late April and has gone 5-for-11 at the plate with a steal, three runs and five RBI, and if he keeps producing he represents a threat to the playing time of the struggling Nick Gordon (.516 OPS) and Jesus Sanchez (.614 OPS). Rotowire.com Today, 8:34 am
  • Playing catch
    Wicks (forearm) has been cleared to begin playing catch, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: Wicks just landed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left forearm strain, so it would seem to be a good sign that he's already throwing again. A potential timetable for his return, however, remains up in the air. Hayden Wesneski is occupying Wicks' spot in the Cubs' rotation. Rotowire.com Today, 8:30 am
     
  • Clubs fourth homer
    Bell went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's extra-inning win over the Rockies.

    Advice: The first baseman lofted a Peter Lambert curveball over the right-field fence in the third inning, tying the game at 3-3. Bell has struggled out of the gate this season, slashing .185/.273/.306 through 33 contests with four homers, 11 RBI and 16 runs, but the streaky slugger may be heating up -- he went 4-for-12 in the three-game sweep of Colorado. Rotowire.com Today, 8:28 am
     
  • Twins call up Jorge Alcala from Triple-A
    Twins recalled RHP Jorge Alcala from Triple-A St. Paul.

    Advice: Alcala is back with Minnesota after he was sent down to Triple-A in mid-April. The 28-year-old has been stellar with the Twins this season as he holds a 0.00 ERA with a 9/3 K/BB ratio across 8 1/3 innings of work. Rotoworld Today, 8:26 am
     
  • Out of lineup again Friday
    Chourio is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

    Advice: It's the first time this season that he's been held out of the lineup in consecutive games. Since April 16, Chourio is slashing just .140/.196/.233 while striking out at a rate of 38.3 percent. Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick are in the corner outfield spots for Milwaukee on Friday. Rotowire.com Today, 8:25 am
  • Throwing bullpen Saturday
    Steele (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, after which he will be reevaluated to determine whether he's potentially ready to rejoin the big-league rotation, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    Advice: The left-hander felt good after he allowed three runs on six hits over 3.1 innings during a rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, and he's now rejoined the Cubs to determine whether another rehab start is necessary. Steele could step back into Chicago's rotation early next week if all goes well during Saturday's bullpen session. Rotowire.com Today, 8:23 am
     
  • Nabs extra-inning win
    Smith (1-0) picked up the win Thursday, striking out two in a perfect 10th inning during the Marlins' victory over the Rockies.

    Advice: Brenton Doyle led off the frame with a sacrifice bunt to put the phantom runner on third base, but Smith fanned Ryan McMahon and Elehuris Montero to deny Colorado a run. The right-hander then got rewarded when Miami walked it off in the bottom of the inning. Smith has seen little high-leverage work this season, adding only one hold to his ledger in 14 appearances, and he sports a 3.31 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB through 16.1 innings. Rotowire.com Today, 8:22 am
  • Justin Steele scheduled for BP session Saturday
    Justin Steele (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday.

    Advice: Steele went 3 1/3 innings in a rehab start at Triple-A Iowa where he allowed three runs on six hits earlier this week. The 28-year-old is now back in Chicago where he’ll continue to work to get back to full strength. The expectation was that Steele only needed one rehab assignment before getting back to major league action, so we’ll see how he does this weekend and await next steps from the team. Rotoworld Today, 8:21 am
     
  • On base three times in win
    Nimmo went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double and two RBI in Thursday's extra-innings win over the Cubs.

    Advice: The 31-year-old is coming to life from the leadoff spot, reaching base multiple times in five of his last seven starts and batting .286 (8-for-28) over that stretch with a .394 OBP. Nimmo's .216/.365/.360 slash line on the season remains disappointing for fantasy purposes, but he's chipped in three homers, two steals, 15 runs and 20 RBI in 30 contests. Rotowire.com Today, 8:09 am