MLB Player News

Merrill (ribs) is expected to return to the Padres' lineup within the next few days, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Merrill's ribs remain sore after he banged into the outfield wall Wednesday against the Dodgers while trying to rob a home run. He has managed to avoid a serious injury, and while it sounds like Merrill will not play Friday versus the Athletics, he could be back in action sometime over the weekend.

Mitchell (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Mitchell exited the Brewers' last game Wednesday versus the Cubs due to back tightness. With southpaw Justin Wrobleski toeing the rubber for the Dodgers, the left-handed-hitting Mitchell probably wasn't going to start Friday regardless, but it's unclear whether he'll be available off the bench. Jake Bauers, Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick will form Milwaukee's outfield trio in Friday's series opener.

Acuna (thumb) will start in right field and bat leadoff in Friday's game against the Nationals.

Acuna had to depart Thursday's contest versus the Marlins with a left thumb bone bruise, but the injury will not force him to miss any starts. The 28-year-old has reached base six times in three games since returning from his hamstring injury earlier this week.

Valdez will start in right field and bat seventh Friday in Toronto in his major-league debut.

Valdez received his first big-league promotion after slashing .253/.381/.506 with 10 homers in 46 games with Triple-A Indianapolis this season. The 22-year-old is not guaranteed everyday playing time with the Pirates, so it would behoove him to get off to a good start.

Reynolds is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Toronto.

This is just the third day off this season for Reynolds. He came off the bench on each of his first two days off and could do so again Friday. Jake Mangum will start in left field for the Pirates in the series opener.

The Cardinals placed Church on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left shoulder strain.

Church had to be scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Pirates because he was "just a little beat up," per manager Oliver Marmol. While it's now known that the injury is focused on his shoulder, it's unclear how long Church might be out. Lars Nootbaar (heels) is due back June 1, so Church could see a dip in playing time when he does return to the active roster.

The Cardinals recalled Torres from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Torres is receiving his first big-league promotion a little more than a month shy of his 29th birthday. He's posted excellent numbers in the Cardinals' minor-league system the last three years, including a .336/.454/.477 slash line with two homers, 10 steals and a 29:25 BB:K in 2026. Capable of handling all three outfield spots and also second base, Torres could see some action in left field while Nathan Church (shoulder) is out.

The Cubs placed Shaw on the 10-day injured list Friday with mid-back tightness, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

It's not clear how long the injury has been bothering Shaw, who has just one May 18 plate appearance over the last five days, but a backdated IL stint will keep him out of action for another week-plus, at minimum. Pedro Ramirez is taking Shaw's spot on the active roster.

Caissie went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to Atlanta.

The 23-year-old rookie took Spencer Strider deep in the third inning to get the Marlins on the board. Caissie has homered twice in his last eight games, but those are his only extra-base hits since April 24, and he hasn't produced a multi-hit performance since April 9. Simply making contact has been the biggest issue for Caissie in his first campaign with the Marlins -- through 43 contests this season he's slashing .210/.269/.361 with four home runs, three steals, 15 runs, 20 RBI and a troubling 41.0 percent strikeout rate.

Yastrzenski went 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Thursday's win over the Marlins.

The veteran outfielder took Sandy Alcantara deep in the second inning for a solo shot. Yastrzemski didn't hit his first homer of the season until May 12, but he's now left the yard three times in his last nine games, batting .409 (9-for-22) over that stretch with three doubles, seven runs and eight RBI. He remains a consistent presence in the lineup against right-handed pitching, but which outfield corner he occupies in the short term could depend on whether Ronald Acuna (thumb) needs to miss additional time after exiting Thursday's game early.