NL Central

The Chicago Cubs' title aspirations have hit an early speed bump this season with catcher Miguel Montero battling an injury to his back. 

Continue for updates. 

Montero Placed on DL

Thursday, April 28

Per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs placed Montero on the disabled list and called up Tim Federowicz to take his place. 

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett is dealing with right oblique tightness, and it is uncertain when he'll return to action. 

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Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen broke out of his slump in a big way Tuesday night, recording the second three-homer game of his career in a 9-4 win over the Colorado Rockies, per MLB Stat of the Day.

Andrew McCutchen went into the Pittsburgh Pirates' latest contest as the worst hitter in their everyday lineup. Clearly, what he needed was a slump-buster.

Or three.

Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta has throttled into a sphere of superstardom following a few mundane seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, but the 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner is sick of anonymous claims that he's been aided by the use of performance-enhancing drugs.    

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz accomplished an interesting feat during Monday's 12-7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, becoming the first player in baseball's modern era (since at least 1900) to own a batting average of .500 or better at least 50 at-bats into his career, per Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN.com).

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips suffered a finger injury and left Monday's game against the New York Mets after being hit by a Noah Syndergaard pitch. It's unclear when he will return to the field.

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After pounding the Cincinnati Reds 9-0 Sunday, the Chicago Cubs have now scored 38 runs in their last four games.

So, naturally, there's offensive optimism aplenty for Chicago. Lob a dart at the lineup card and, chances are, you'll hit a guy swinging at least a moderately hot stick.

Bare-handing a home run ball is hard enough, let alone pulling it off with an infant in one arm.

One Pittsburgh Pirates fan performed this incredible feat during the Pirates' 8-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night, snagging a Welington Castillo homer over the hands of clamoring home fans.

Fact: Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta is the second pitcher all-time to throw multiple no-hitters without suffering a loss in between them.

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