Breaking News: As per ESPN, MLB has suspended two of the veteran pitchers for the Pittsburgh Pirates for three months because of something foreign found in one of their gloves.

Cubs hopeful Nico Hoerner could return to the lineup Friday against the Pirates

Hoerner went through a regular pregame warm-up Thursday, testing his left hamstring as the Cubs evaluated his return timeline.

Cubs middle infielder Nico Hoerner joined Cubs hitters on the field for pregame batting practice on Thursday, as he went through a workout resembling his pregame routine.

After he put away his bat, he headed to left field to run under the supervision of Cubs athletic trainers, testing his left hamstring.

“If we get good information from that,” manager Craig Counsell said of Hoerner’s workout, “then hopefully he’ll be in there tomorrow.”

Angels acquire right-hander Roansy Contreras from Pirates

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels acquired right-hander Roansy Contreras from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash on Thursday.

The Pirates designated the 24-year-old Contreras for assignment on Saturday to create room on the roster for Paul Skenes ahead of the prized pitcher’s major league debut against the Chicago Cubs.

Contreras, acquired as part of the trade that sent pitcher Jameson Taillon to the New York Yankees in January 2021, has struggled most of the past two seasons and was out of options. A starter for much of his first three seasons, he has been working out of the bullpen this year. He is 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA in 12 appearances.

Contreras is 9-12 with a 4.83 ERA in 30 starts and 23 relief outings over four big league seasons.