• 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 has 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 Today, 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 Today, 8:10 am
  • Picks up first save
    Thornton recorded his first save in a win over the Rays on Wednesday, firing a perfect ninth inning.

    Advice: Ryne Stanek worked the eighth and Andres Munoz faltered with the save opportunity to open the ninth, failing to record an out and leaving Thornton to inherit a bases-loaded jam. The right-hander deftly managed the dangerous scenario, inducing a fielder's choice groundout from Richie Palacios that allowed Josh Lowe to score but then retiring Amed Rosario on a game-ending double play. The one run went on Munoz's tab, affording Thornton his sixth scoreless outing in his last eight trips to the mound -- including his third straight -- as well as his first career save. Rotowire.com Today, 7:33 am
  • Cleared to start Friday
    Perez (groin) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday in Atlanta, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

    Advice: The Pirates will push back Jared Jones' next turn through the rotation in order to make room for Perez, whose last outing before he landed on the IL in late May coincidentally came against Atlanta. Perez needed just one rehab start to convince the Pirates he was ready to rejoin the big club, as he allowed two runs (one earned) over five innings while tossing 65 pitches for Triple-A Indianapolis last weekend. Perez shouldn't face any sort of major restriction with his workload Friday. Rotowire.com Today, 7:24 am
     
  • Outrighted to Triple-A
    The Yankees outrighted Andrews to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

    Advice: It's the second time since April that Andrews has been outrighted after departing the Yankees' 40-man roster. Whether he accepts the assignment and remains in the organization or elects free agency is not yet known. Rotowire.com Today, 6:33 am
  • Starts rehab assignment
    Quijada (elbow) struck out the side in his first rehab appearance with the Angels' Arizona Complex League affiliate Wednesday.

    Advice: It's a promising start as Quijada continues down the comeback trail from last May's Tommy John surgery. The left-hander will eventually move up to a higher affiliate and figures to need most, if not all, of his allotted 30 days during his rehab assignment. Rotowire.com Today, 6:27 am
     
  • Beginning rehab assignment
    Ferrer (shoulder) was sent to the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Thursday to begin a rehab assignment.

    Advice: Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder but has finally been cleared for game action. The lefty's rehab assignment should be fairly lengthy given how much time he's missed, and he's not a given to be added to the major-league roster once his time on the 60-day injured list is over. Rotowire.com Today, 6:15 am
  • Secures 14th save
    Doval picked up the save over the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing one hit over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out one.

    Advice: Doval entered the contest with a one-run lead in the ninth and surrendered a leadoff single to Dansby Swanson before retiring the next three batters in succession to secure his 14th save of the campaign. The right-hander has now converted each of his last five save attempts and has allowed only one baserunner over his last three appearances. Doval has also posted at least one strikeout in three consecutive outings. Rotowire.com Today, 6:11 am
  • Clean ninth inning
    Chapman struck out two without allowing a baserunner across a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds on Wednesday.

    Advice: Chapman entered the game in the ninth inning with a five-run lead, marking his first appearance since Saturday. He struggled to begin the season but has pitched well for significant stretches, most recently allowing two earned runs across 8.2 innings in June while posting a 13:4K:BB. Chapman should see most of Pittsburgh's save chances while David Bednar (oblique) is sidelined. Rotowire.com Today, 6:11 am