MLB Player News

Nootbaar is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Kansas City.

Since he returned from the injured list earlier this month, the left-handed-hitting Nootbaar has been out of the lineup each of the three times the Cardinals have faced a traditional lefty starter. However, it could be more about picking spots to rest Nootbaar following a long layoff than it is about him being in a platoon. Nelson Velazquez will play left field for St. Louis in the series opener.

Church is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Kansas City.

Church made nine consecutive starts in center field after returning from the injured list June 9, but the left-handed hitter will take a seat for this one as the Royals send southpaw Noah Cameron to the hill. Jose Fermin will patrol center field for the Cardinals.

Garcia will undergo season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair a torn right lat.

Garcia suffered the injury last week while making a throw and was placed on the 60-day injured list. He is expected to require 6-to-8 months to recover, giving him enough time to be ready for the start of the 2027 season if all goes well. Garcia finishes the season with a .195/.270/.329 batting line and seven home runs over 67 contests for the Phillies. The 33-year-old will become a free agent after the season.

Frelick is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Cleveland.

Lefty Parker Messick is starting for the Guardians, so the left-handed-hitting Frelick will get a breather for the series finale. He'll cede his spot in right field to Jake Bauers, who will bat fifth.

Ramos (quadriceps) went 1-for-5 with a walk and a run scored in Triple-A Sacramento's 9-6 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Ramos began his rehab assignment with Sacramento after landing on the 10-day injured list May 16 with a right quadriceps strain. The 26-year-old outfielder singled in the fifth before coming around to score, and he also drew a walk in the sixth. Before he was sent to the IL, Ramos slashed .267/.307/.424 with 20 RBI, 19 runs scored, four home runs and a 26.7 percent strikeout rate across 176 plate appearances.

Mitchell is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt versus the Guardians.

The left-handed-hitting Mitchell has been swinging a hot bat, which has earned him more chances against lefty hurlers lately. However, he'll take a seat Thursday as the Guardians send southpaw Parker Messick to the bump. Blake Perkins will patrol center field for the Brewers.

Ruiz went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Phillies.

Getting the start in left field and batting ninth even with right-hander Andrew Painter on the mound for Philly, Ruiz put together his first three-hit performance of the season. Over his last 12 games, the 27-year-old is batting an eye-popping .435 (10-for-23) with four doubles, two homers, four steals, four RBI and six runs as he pushes for more than a part-time role in the Marlins' outfield. With Kyle Stowers needed at first base and Owen Caissie still struggling to make anything close to consistent contact, there could be a path for Ruiz to claim a starting job.

Marsee went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's win over the Phillies.

The center fielder ended a 28-game homer drought when he took Chase Shugart deep in the ninth inning to cap a 12-4 romp. Marsee's working his way through a rough sophomore slump, but he has hit safely in eight of the last 10 games, although he hasn't had a multi-hit performance since May 29. On the season, the 24-year-old is slashing .202/.326/.308 with four home runs, 17 steals, 18 RBI and 39 runs in 73 contests.

Caissie went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's win over the Phillies.

The Marlins launched five homers in total, with Caissie's coming to lead off the second inning against Andrew Painter and helping to not only chase the young right-hander from the game, but off Philly's big-league roster entirely. Caissie has just three hits in his last six games, but two of them have left the yard. On the season he's slashing a shaky .209/.268/.384 with seven homers, three steals, 20 runs, 36 RBI and a brutal 40.4 percent strikeout rate in 63 contests.

Bleday went 0-for-2 with a walk and an RBI in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Mets.

Bleday's second-inning sacrifice fly was all the Reds could muster. He's shown a penchant for delivering with runners in scoring position, posting a .915 OPS and 20 RBI over 38 at-bats with RISP. Bleday's 35 RBI in just 45 games rank third on the team.