Nathan earns win in return
Cubs signed reliever in May after Tommy John surgery.
The Chicago Cubs activated Joe Nathan from the 60-day disabled list Sunday, completing the veteran reliever’s journey back to the majors from Tommy John surgery.
The Cubs’ five-run seventh-inning rally made a winner of Nathan, who was playing in his first game in the majors since April 2015.
Nathan, a six-time All-Star, signed with the Cubs as a free agent in May.
“It feels like opening day,” the right-hander said before Sunday’s game.
Nathan gave up a leadoff triple to the Brewers’ Jonathan Villar in the sixth inning and a walk before striking out 3-4-5 hitters Ryan Braun, Jonathan Lucroy and Chris Carter.
Nathan, 41, has 377 saves, eighth in MLB history.
Right-hander Tyler Glasnow was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder discomfort.
■ Mark Melancon became the first Pirates pitcher to have three consecutive seasons with 30 or more saves. He led the majors with 51 saves in 2015, and his 114 saves since the start of 2014 are the most in MLB.
Left-hander WeiYin Chen was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left elbow. Jarred Cosart, who opened the season in the rotation and went 0-1 with a 7.98 ERA in three starts, was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans and will replace Chen tonight when the Phillies visit Miami.
Third baseman Andres Blanco broke his left index finger Sunday. Blanco took a throw from catcher Carlos Ruiz and applied a tag in time to get the Pirates’ Gregory Polanco, who was attempting to steal third base. Polanco’s foot landed on Blanco’s glove.
Left-hander Tyler Skaggs will make his first major league appearance since July 31, 2014, when he is called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to start on Tuesday. Skaggs hasn’t pitched in the majors since having Tommy John surgery in 2014.
Zack Godley became the first pitcher in franchise history to reach seven career wins as a starter in as few as 10 starts.
Pirates: Marlins: Phillies: Angels: Diamondbacks: Royals:
Third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert went 0 for 4 Sunday, snapping his 12-game hitting streak, the longest by a Royals rookie since Mike Moustakas’ 15-game streak in 2011.
Nationals:
Outfielder Jayson Werth extended his on-base streak to 28 games with a walk in the first inning Sunday. It is the longest active streak in the majors and a game shy of the longest streak of Werth’s career.
First baseman Brandon Belt was 2 for 33 (.061) and shortstop Brandon Crawford went 6 for 33 (.182) with no RBIs on their 1-7 road trip to San Diego, Boston and New York.
Cleveland lost the season series to Baltimore 5-1 after being outscored 15-6 in three games at Camden Yards.
Reliever Drew Storen was designated for assignment and right-hander Ryan Tepera was recalled from Triple-A. Toronto acquired Storen from Washington in January for outfielder Ben Revere, but went 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA and three saves for the Blue Jays.
Giants: Indians: Blue Jays: