The Chicago Cubs pushed Tyler ChatwoodThe start after the right-hander had tension in his back, according to Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports. Colin Rea will trot from the bullpen to start in his place on Saturday (technically Alec Mills started for Chatwood on Friday and Rea will start in Mills’ place). Chatwood has continued his streaky tenure in Chicago this season, despite three starts outweighing the bads. The 30-year-old Chatwood rocked the Northside with two quality starts in which he scored 12 2/3 innings, two wins, 19 strikeouts and just one deserved run. On his third start against the Royals, he gave it all back with 8 runs earned in just 2 1/3 innings. The Cubs have a double bill with the Cardinals slated for Monday, when Chatwood will return to rotation, according to Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times (Russell Dorsey).via Twitter).
- Bad news could be for the San Diego Padres. Closer Kirby Yates is scheduled for an MRI to examine recent elbow complaints. by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The late blooming Yates has become arguably the best player in the game over the past two seasons. He hasn’t gone through 5 gigs this year. He’s currently rocking an awkward 10.38 ERA / 5.62 FIP with 7 hits and 4 walks to 7 spikes over 4 1/3 innings. He has 2 saves and a hold. An injury would certainly be a blow to an already rundown bullpen in San Diego Andres Muñoz and Trey Wingenter. Even so, the brothers are flush with possible replacements: Emilio Pagan and Drew Pomeranz are likely next in line to secure W’s in San Diego.
- Yoshihisa Hirano is finally on his way back to diamond after testing positive for COVID-19 at the beginning of training camp, according to Greg Johns of MLB.com (via Twitter). After making some improvements at the alternative location, Hirano could soon find himself in the Seattle Mariners bullpen. Hirano, 36, joined the Mariners this off-season after two years with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He proved to be a reliable arm in the dback’s pen. After a successful career in Japan, he has a 3.47 ERA / 3.85 FIP in the US.
