CHICAGO (AP) — The scuffling Chicago Cubs recalled outfielder Kevin Alcántara from Triple-A Iowa before their game Saturday against Houston and designated infielder Nicky Lopez for assignment.
Slumping four-time Gold Glove left fielder Ian Happ was out of the lineup, replaced by Michael Conforto as Chicago tried to end a six-game losing streak. The Cubs are 2-10 following a 20-3 run that included two separate 10-game win streaks and had propelled them to 27-12, the best record in the majors on May 8.
The 23-year-old Alcántara was batting .242 with 15 home runs and 32 RBIs and a .906 OPS in 41 games with Iowa. His 15 homers were tied for the most by a Triple-A player entering Saturday. Alcántara has played in 13 games with the Cubs during call-ups over the past two seasons and has a .238 average with one RBI in 22 plate appearances.
The Cubs acquired Lopez from Colorado on April 23. He went 0-for-5 in four games.
The Cubs have scored 18 runs during their six-game slide and Happ, in his 10th season, has struggled.
The switch-hitting 31-year-old has only one hit and two walks in his past six games, while striking out 14 times in 26 plate appearances.
“I think the thing from yesterday is we just need to give Ian a break,” manager Craig Counsell said. "And look, we've got a lot of guys not hitting. That's kind of why we're in the middle of this right?
“But I think Ian's feeling it the most and so he's the guy we're giving a break to.”
Counsell said Alcántara figures to see playing time as he shakes up his club.
“Kevin's on the roster,” Counsell said. “You know there are spots to get him in there.”
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Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ watches his RBI single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
OSLO, Norway (AP) — Barcelona rose again to the peak of European soccer by routing its most storied rival OL Lyonnes 4-0 in an overwhelming second-half display in the Women’s Champions League final on Saturday.
A four-time European champion in just six seasons, Barcelona is a dynasty in women’s soccer replacing Lyon which dominated the previous decade and has a record eight titles.
Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor lost in her first five visits to the European title match but the former Wolfsburg star made her sixth attempt count with two goals.
Pajor struck with an arrowing low shot in the 55th minute and a close-range finish in the 69th when the Barcelona attack was queuing up to score past the stretched Lyon defense.
“This is amazing, the best day of my life,” the 29-year-old Pajor said. “I’ve played in six finals and finally, in Oslo, we did it.”
Salma Paralluelo turned the screw on Lyon by firing in a rising left-foot shot in the 90th and adding another slick finish in stoppage time.
The decisive first goal was created by a surging 40-yard run and assist by Patri Guijarro, often overlooked in a stellar midfield alongside Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas.
Barcelona has swept all four domestic and international trophies this season.
One year ago, Barcelona was denied another trophy sweep by a surprising 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the final.
In the dugout on Saturday it was a victory for a former assistant over his one-time boss.
Barcelona coach Pere Romeu was an assistant to Jonatan Giráldez, now with Lyon, when the Catalan giant won back-to-back Champions Leagues in 2023 and ’24.
It was a cruel end for Lyon which also was seeking a quadruple of trophies this season and impressed early. Lyon stifled Barcelona’s intent to control play with neat passing, and was typically strong with set-pieces.
Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll saved well in the first half from Wendie Renard’s header and a free kick by left back Selma Bacha that curled toward the top corner.
"It was a team win, Cata saved us early on, and then the whole team pitched in," Barcelona coach Romeu said.
Almost inevitably in modern soccer, a VAR intervention changed the flow of the game — though it was needed by Barcelona to spot an offside missed by the match officials.
When Renard’s header in the 14th was pushed out by Coll, Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps poked the loose ball into the goal from three yards. The United States captain advanced beyond Renard when the header was struck but the offside was only confirmed one minute later as Barcelona waited to kick off.
Heaps was consoled by Barcelona's stars after playing one of her last games for Lyon. She is returning home to join Denver Summit, an expansion team in the NWSL.
The Poland star flipped her own script after enduring a ragged first half. Pajor twice shot wide of goal when in clear space to shoot.
The first time was in the 18th with a 22-yard lob toward an unguarded goal after miscommunication between Renard and the advancing goalkeeper Christiane Endler. The ball bounced into the side netting on the wrong side of the post.
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Barcelona's Irene Paredes lifts the trophy after winning the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Barcelona's Salma Paralluelo celebrates after scoring her side's fourth goal during the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Lyonnes' Lindsey Heaps scores a goal afterwards disallowed for offside during the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen vies for the ball with Lyonnes' Lily Yohannes, right, during the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Barcelona's Ewa Pajor, center, scores the opening goal during the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Barcelona's Ewa Pajor, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The tournament trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Barcelona's Alexia Putellas walks with a ball during a training session on the eve of the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, right, and Sydney Schertenleib play with a ball during a training session on the eve of the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Lyonnes players and staff gather together on the pitch during a training session on the eve of the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Lyonnes' Ada Hegerberg reaches for the ball during a training session on the eve of the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Barcelona's Kika Nazareth plays with a ball during a training session on the eve of the Women's Champions League final soccer match between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes, in Oslo, Friday, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
