MLB Player News

Lawlar was removed from Friday's game against the Twins with an apparent injury, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Lawlar legged out an infield single on a bunt in the eighth inning, but he tweaked something while doing so and was immediately lifted for a pinch runner. It's not immediately clear what the 23-year-old is dealing with, but the team may have an update on his status after the game. If he ends up needing to miss time, Jorge Barrosa would be the next man up to start in center field.

Reynolds was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies due to left groin discomfort, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.

Reynolds has been scorching hot at the plate recently, slashing .405/.463/.838 with four homers, eight RBI and eight runs across his last nine games, but a groin injury will prevent him from starting Friday. While he takes a day off to heal, Esmerlyn Valdez will enter the lineup to start in left field.

Troy isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Twins, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Troy will get a breather during Friday's series opener after going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored during Thursday's contest. His absence will put Lourdes Gurriel in left field, giving LuJames Groover a start as Arizona's DH.

Harris (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Harris is on the bench again after initially exiting Tuesday's contest due to lower-back tightness, with Thursday's rainout not providing him with sufficient time to recover. Mauricio Dubon is shifting to center field for Atlanta while Jorge Mateo starts at shortstop.

Crews is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Tampa Bay.

Crews is receiving a routine day of rest after starting the previous seven contests. The Nationals will roll out Daylen Lile, Jacob Young and James Wood in the outfield.

Johnston is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Pirates.

It's the second straight game that the left-handed hitter has been out of the lineup against a righty hurler, which is curious given that he's slashing .350/.416/.483 against righties this season. Jake McCarthy and Tyler Freeman will occupy the corner outfield spots for the Rockies, and Sterlin Thompson will be the designated hitter while Johnston remains absent from the starting nine.

Benge went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Phillies.

The rookie outfielder set the table effectively for the Mets in a 6-4 victory, and his leadoff single in the seventh inning sparked a three-run rally that decided the contest. Over his last 18 games, Benge is slashing .293/.338/.533 with eight extra-base hits including four homers, two steals, six RBI and 14 runs.

The Cubs recalled Dean from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

An offseason waiver claim, Dean has slashed .238/.369/.354 with three home runs, 14 stolen bases and a 36:58 BB:K over 56 contests with Iowa this season. The 29-year-old can handle all three outfield spots and should operate mainly in a reserve role.

Soto went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs and a walk in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Phillies.

Soto opened the scoring with a solo homer off Aaron Nola in the first inning before taking the veteran right-hander deep again in his next plate appearance to record his second multi-homer performance of the year. Soto has looked locked in at the plate over his last eight games, batting 14-for-29 (.483) with three homers. The 27-year-old is now slashing .300/.398/.582 with 17 home runs, seven doubles, one triple, 38 RBI, 36 runs scored and six stolen bases across 249 plate appearances this season.

Taylor (hip) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Binghamton on Friday, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Taylor landed on the injured list May 25 with a hip flexor strain but is now set to begin ramping up toward his return to the active roster. However, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing have both cemented themselves as regular starters in New York's outfield, so Taylor will almost certainly be limited to a bench role once he comes off the IL.