Happ went 1-for-2 with a walk, a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Brewers.
Happ broke open a 3-3 tie with his two-run shot in the top of the eighth inning, the outfielder's 11th home run of the season. Two nights earlier, Happ had another big two-run homer, this time to break open a 3-3 tie in the 10th. Overall, the veteran is riding a four-game hitting streak, with the two long balls and five total runs scored during the brief hot stretch,
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Cubs' Luke Little: Records win Saturday
Rotowire
Little (3-1) tossed a scoreless inning of relief to earn the win in Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Brewers. He allowed two hits and struck out one.
Little retired the first two batters of the seventh inning, then made things interesting by allowing consecutive hits. However, he escaped the frame when Andruw Monasterio was caught attempting to steal home. The lefty then earned the win when the Cubs scored two in the top of the eighth to break open a 3-3 tie. Little has been back and forth between Triple-A and the majors, though he's been fairly effective when called on by Chicago, posting a 3.80 ERA and 26 strikeouts across 23.2 innings.
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Cubs' Michael Busch: Homers in victory Saturday
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Busch went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Saturday's 5-3 win against Milwaukee.
Busch helped Chicago get off to a fast start by belting a two-run homer in the first inning. The long ball was just his second of June, though he's hit well outside of the power department with a .310 average over 24 contests. Busch has reached base via hit or walk in 21 of 24 games this month, and two of the three times he didn't do so were contests in which he didn't start.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Records save Saturday
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Neris earned a save against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.
Neris entered in the ninth inning with Chicago holding a two-run lead and got into a bit of hot water when two of the first three hitters he faced reach base. However, the veteran reliever bounced back to strike out the final two batters of the frame. Neris secured his 11th save of the season and recorded his third straight scoreless outing. That may have helped him steady his grip on the closer role to some extent after he blew two saves and gave up seven earned runs across 2.2 frames over three appearances between June 11 and June 17.
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Cubs' Justin Steele: Logs quality start in no-decision
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Steele allowed three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings in a no-decision against Milwaukee on Saturday.
Steele gave up a pair of runs in the third inning and another in the fourth but finished his outing by retiring seven straight batters. The southpaw stuck around just long enough to notch his fifth straight quality start, though this was his least impressive appearance during that span. Over the five-game stretch, Steele has posted a 2.18 ERA and 34:5 K:BB over 33 innings, but he doesn't have a win to show for that success.
Leiter (forearm) began a throwing program Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Manager Craig Counsell said Leiter is slated to throw again Saturday as the right-hander begins his ramp-up process. It's certainly is a positive sign that the 33-year-old was able to start a throwing program just five days after landing on the IL with a strain in his right (throwing) forearm. He'll still most likely remain on the injured list for more than a minimum-length stay, but a return before the All-Star break hasn't been ruled out yet.
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Cubs' Ben Brown: Throwing bullpen Saturday
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Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Brown (neck) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Brown was cleared to resume throwing last week, and Saturday will mark his first time working off a mound since he landed on the injured list June 11 with a left neck strain. The 24-year-old righty remains without a firm return timeline, though he will likely require another bullpen session or two before moving on to facing live hitters.
Amaya isn't in the Cubs' lineup Saturday against the Brewers.
Amaya struck out in both of his at-bats during a loss in Friday's series opener, and he'll give way to Tomas Nido for Saturday's contest.
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Cubs' Jorge Lopez: Effective in team debut
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Lopez worked around a hit to toss a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Brewers.
Lopez had his contract selected from Triple-A Iowa before the game, and he proceeded to make his team debut right away. The righty was dumped by the Mets earlier this year, and he struggled to a 5.95 ERA last season with three different teams, but he was an effective reliever as recently as 2022. If Lopez can get back to that form with the Cubs, he could establish a regular role in their bullpen.
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Cubs' Seiya Suzuki: Goes deep in loss
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Suzuki went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Brewers.
Suzuki also struck out three times in the contest, but he salvaged his night with his 10th home run of the season through 83 team games. The outfielder has played in 57 of those contests, as he missed some time with an oblique injury. If Suzuki stays healthy in the back half of the year, he could make a run at surpassing last year's career-best total of 20 home runs.
Taillon (4-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk over six innings Friday, striking out five and taking a loss against Milwaukee.
Taillon worked through three shutout frames before coughing up a grand slam to Jackson Chourio in the fourth inning. Taillon is now 1-2 over his last four starts despite registering a 2.16 ERA during that stretch. He's given up three or fewer earned runs in all but one of his 13 starts this season. Taillon owns a strong 3.03 ERA with a 58:17 K:BB through 74.1 frames this season. He's projected to face the Phillies at home next week.
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Cubs' Jorge Lopez: Selected to MLB roster
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The Cubs selected Lopez's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
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.
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Cubs' Vinny Nittoli: Designated for assignment
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The Cubs designated Nittoli for assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
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.
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Cubs' Yency Almonte: Seeking second opinion
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Almonte (shoulder) will get a second opinion next week, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Almonte sustained a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain and is still considering options for how to proceed. The 30-year-old was transferred to the 60-day IL on Thursday and can be considered out indefinitely.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Back in majors
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The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
With Keegan Thompson (ribs) headed for the injured list, Roberts will now join the big-league squad for the first time since 2022. He missed the entire 2023 campaign and the first couple of months of the 2024 season as a result of Tommy John surgery. However, he has not allowed a run in 13.1 innings with Iowa this year and owns an 18:6 K:BB. He'll likely work in middle relief while with Chicago.
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Cubs' Julian Merryweather: Set for another bullpen
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Merryweather (ribs) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
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. Merryweather isn't expected to be reinstated from the IL until after the All-Star break.
