The Cubs walked off the Reds for the second straight game on Tuesday. Chicago has won seven in a row, and the streak is even longer at home. The Cubs haven’t lost at Wrigley Field since April 11 against the Pirates.
1. Benches clear in Detroit
Tigers lefty Framber Valdez gave up back-to-back home runs to open the fourth inning against the Red Sox on Tuesday. His next pitch hit Trevor Story right between the numbers. Both sides streamed out of the dugout, though the incident didn’t escalate much beyond that. Valdez claimed innocence afterward, but few were convinced. “It’s pretty indisputable,” Story told reporters, including Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. “We play a really good brand of baseball here,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “That didn’t feel like it.” (h/t Chris McCosky of the Detroit News) No word yet on a suspension for Valdez, but it’s likely coming.
2. Pagan leaves with leg injury
Reds right-hander Emilio Pagan entered in the bottom of the ninth inning of a tie game against the Cubs last night. He threw one pitch and immediately came up limping. The closer went to the ground, reaching for his hamstring. Pagan had to be carted off the field. He’s headed to the injured list, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. Right-hander Pierce Johnson will come off the bereavement list to take Pagan’s spot. Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft are the leading candidates to assume the closer role. Santillan picked up a career-high seven saves in 2025.
3. Paddack designated for assignment
The Marlins DFAed veteran righty Chris Paddack on Tuesday. He was hammered for seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings over the weekend, pushing his ERA above 7.00. Paddack joined the club on a one-year, $4MM deal in February. He lasted just seven starts. Miami has a pair of big-name pitching prospects on the verge of reaching the majors in Robby Snelling and Thomas White. One of their Triple-A teammates might get the call first, though. Lefty Braxton Garrett is working his way back from elbow surgery. He’s posted a 2.30 ERA over six starts with Jacksonville. Garrett put together a solid 2023 campaign with the Marlins, but went down with the elbow issue after seven starts in 2024. Garrett’s previous MLB experience might give him the upper hand when it comes to replacing Paddack in the rotation.
Photo courtesy of Lon Horwedel, Imagn Images
