The Cubs’ biggest need, with about a week before the July 31 deadline, is starting pitching. Lugo, who held the Cubs to four hits and two runs in six innings Wednesday, will be highly sought after by contending teams if the Royals make him available. But their trade deadline direction is unclear.

In wearing Royal blue, Hill tied Edwin Jackson's record by playing for his 14th MLB team. The bulk of Hill's career was split between the Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers, with short cameos on 11 other teams.

Vinnie Pasquantino hit two homers and drove in four runs to lead the visiting Kansas City Royals to an 8-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

The Kansas City Royals placed infielder/outfielder Nick Loftin on the seven-day concussion injured list and recalled outfielder MJ Melendez from Triple-A Omaha before Wednesday afternoon’s series finale against the Cubs in Chicago.

By calling up Rich Hill for Tuesday's showdown with the Chicago Cubs, the Kansas City Royals put the 45-year-old left-hander in position to make history.

Crow-Armstrong sat out Monday’s series-opening loss to the Kansas City Royals with a bruised right knee he sustained on a slide in Sunday’s game. Manager Craig Counsell had expressed optimism that the 23-year-old could play after a one-game reprieve.

Kansas City's Rich Hill became the oldest player in the majors after making his season debut Tuesday against the Cubs.

Salvador Perez hit a pair of two-run homers to help power the visiting Kansas City Royals to a 12-4 win against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.