MLB Player News

Laureano (hip) has progressed to swinging off a tee and playing catch, but he isn't close to playing in games, MLB.com reports.

When Laureano underwent right hip surgery in early June, he was given a return timeline of 4-to-5 months. Though the veteran outfielder has been able to work his way up to swinging a bat and doing some throwing, that initial timeline doesn't appear to have changed. It still seems likely that Laureano's next game action won't take place until 2027, though there may be an outside chance he will return in October if San Diego makes a deep run in the playoffs.

Walker isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Walker was pulled from Friday's game in the eighth inning after tweaking his ankle, and the Cardinals will hold him out of action for another day while he recovers. Jose Fermin, Nathan Church and Joshua Baez will form St. Louis' outfield trio while Walker sits.

Suzuki isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh.

Suzuki will get a chance to catch his breath Saturday after going 3-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and three runs scored during Friday's win. Tyrone Taylor will fill in as Chicago's right fielder and bat ninth.

The Pirates recalled Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Simon was sent down to Triple-A on Friday following Ryan O'Hearn's return from the injured list, but the former will turn around and rejoin the big club with Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring) landing on the IL. Simon logged just one plate appearance during his previous week-long stint with the Bucs and will likely continue to serve as bench depth until Valdez is healthy.

The Pirates placed Valdez on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a strained left hamstring.

Valdez made an early exit from Friday's contest after injuring himself while running out of the batter's box, and he'll now officially remain out of action until at least Sept. 23. Jake Mangum is set to start in right field Saturday against the Cubs and could see regular playing time until Valdez returns. Meanwhile, Ronny Simon will come up from Triple-A to replenish Pittsburgh's outfield depth.

Valdez (hamstring) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

The Pirates have yet to provide an update on Valdez's status after he exited Friday's game with a left hamstring injury, though he will need at least one day off to recover. Jake Mangum will start in right field Saturday and could continue to do so if Valdez needs to spend time on the IL.

McCarthy went 3-for-5 in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Tigers.

The speedy outfielder did his job at the top of the order, but the rest of the Rockies' lineup couldn't take advantage. McCarthy's had a strong first season with the club, setting new career highs with 15 homers, 29 steals, 76 RBI and 71 runs while slashing .297/.339/.485 in 132 games, and his production hasn't been completely fueled by playing his home games at altitude. McCarthy does sport an .896 OPS at Coors Field this year, but his .752 road OPS would still be 160 points higher than what he produced during the entire 2025 campaign for Arizona.

Cox went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Padres.

Cox has gotten a decent run of playing time in September, and he's gone 10-for-35 (.286) over his 10 games this month. The outfielder's steal Friday was his 10th of the season. He's batting .286 with a .796 OPS, four home runs, 11 RBI, 21 runs scored, two doubles and two triples across 109 plate appearances.

Taylor went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Taylor has gone 6-for-25 (.240) with two steals over eight games since he returned from an oblique injury. The outfielder is filling a short-side platoon role in left field, though he was given the start Friday against an unproven right-hander in Anthony Molina. Taylor is batting .310 with a .775 OPS, one home run, eight steals, 11 RBI, 17 runs scored, two doubles and two triples over 130 plate appearances this year.

Merrill went 3-for-5 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Merrill has at least three hits in three of his last four games, adding nine RBI and two steals in that span. The outfielder has had some ups and downs this season but looks to be in a groove after a rough patch earlier in September. He's batting .248 with a .732 OPS, 24 home runs, 26 steals, 79 RBI, 76 runs scored, 24 doubles and four triples over 144 games.