MLB REPORT

CHICAGO CUBS

The team cut ties with Miguel Montero on Wednesday after the veteran catcher blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for allowing seven stolen bases in Tuesday’s loss to Washington.

Montero was designated for assignment, and the team recalled catcher Victor Caratini from Class AAA Iowa.

President of baseball operations Theo Epstein, GM Jed Hoyer and manager Joe Maddon spoke Tuesday after hearing of Montero’s comments.

“It was pretty straightforward,” Maddon said of the decision to cut Montero. “I talked to Theo last night. We both were in agreement it was the right thing to do.”

• 3B Kris Bryant exited Wednesday’s game against Washington with a “mild-to-moderate” right ankle sprain.

The team announced Xrays on the injured ankle were negative and that a potential DL stint remains uncertain. Manager Joe Maddon said Bryant would sit out at least the next two games, including Thursday’s series finale.

NEW YORK METS

The team has placed RHP Robert Gsellman on the 10-day DL with a strained left hamstring and recalled IF Matt Reynolds from Class AAA Las Vegas.

Gsellman becomes the sixth Mets starting pitcher to go on the DL. His injury means RHP Rafael Montero (1-4, 5.63 ERA) will remain in the rotation.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Matt Holliday joined Starlin Castro, Aaron Hicks and Greg Bird on the DL because of a viral infection.

Manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday that Holliday returned to New York for more tests.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

SS Aledmys Diaz was sent to Class AAA Memphis, with the club purchasing the contract of infielder Alex Mejia from Memphis. Diaz was an All-Star last season but is batting .260 this season.

Paul DeJong will see the majority of the playing time at shortstop, manager Mike Matheny said.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

The team has placed closer Mark Melancon on the 10-day DL for a second time this season with a sore forearm.

Melancon, who signed a $62 million, four-year contract with the club during the offseason, was on the DL with the same injury in May.

He is 1-2 with a 4.35 ERA and 11 saves in 15 chances.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

The team and firstround draft pick Brendan McKay have agreed to a minor league contract that includes a signing bonus of $7,005,000, the highest since constraints on draft spending began in 2012.

The Louisville product was the fourth overall selection in the draft.