MLB Player News

Pham went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI on Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Pham accounted for all of Pittsburgh's offense with a two-run double in the first inning. After a hot stretch in the middle of the summer, he's slowed since the start of August, hitting only .218 with a pair of home runs, seven RBI and six runs scored across 16 games. Pham remains the Pirates' primary left fielder, though the team could choose to shift playing time to younger options down the stretch.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Tucker has fully healed from the hairline fracture he sustained to his right hand June 1, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Though the injury occurred at the beginning of June, the Cubs hadn't disclosed until Wednesday that Tucker had been affected by the hand issue. Tucker has been held out of the lineup for the Cubs' last three games, as Counsell is trying to allow the outfielder to get a mental reset while he's hit just .189 with four extra-base hits since the beginning of July. The Cubs wrap up their series with the Brewers on Thursday, but it's unclear if Tucker will be back in the lineup for the finale.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Tucker was diagnosed June 1 with a hairline fracture in his right hand and has continued to play through the injury, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Tucker was initially injured while sliding into second base in a June 1 win over the Reds. While X-rays on his right finger came back negative, further testing revealed a slight fracture on the top of his hand, where the pinky and ring finger meet. Tucker's fracture has shown healing, but president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer admitted the injury has affected the outfielder's performance. Since the start of July, Tucker is hitting .189 with just four extra-base hits. Tucker has been out of the lineup for three straight games, as manager Craig Counsell indicated the star right fielder would get a couple days off for a mental reset. Tucker doesn't look as though he'll need a stint on the IL since the hand injury will continue to be more of a pain-tolerance matter, but it helps explain his lagging production during the second half of the season.

Gurriel went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Wednesday's 3-2 win against the Guardians.

The veteran outfielder led off the bottom of the ninth inning by launching a 424-foot solo shot off Cade Smith to tie the score at 2-2. It marked Gurriel's 17th long ball of the season and his third in the last seven contests, a stretch in which he's gone 9-for-28 (.321) with 12 RBI and five runs scored. Gurriel also recorded an RBI single earlier in the game.

Nimmo is considered day-to-day after leaving Wednesday's game against the Nationals due to neck stiffness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nimmo has a history of neck discomfort and was pulled from Wednesday's game in the bottom of the third inning after he woke up earlier in the day with a stiff neck, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. In his lone at-bat Wednesday, Nimmo grounded into a double play. The Mets believe he'll be back in the lineup in the next 24-to-48 hours, so Nimmo could get Thursday off since it's an afternoon game after a night game. If he does, it sounds like he should be good to go at some point for the weekend series versus Atlanta.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday that Merrill (ankle) is dealing with some bone bruising, which can "take awhile to heal," Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

San Diego continues to take things day by day with its star center fielder, but things might be coming to a head with a big series coming up against the Dodgers this weekend. A trip to the 10-day injured list could be needed. Ramon Laureano and Bryce Johnson have been patrolling center during Merrill's absence the last few days.

Nimmo was removed from Wednesday's game against the Nationals due to neck stiffness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 32-year-old grounded into a double play in the top of the first inning and was replaced in left field by Starling Marte in the bottom of the third. Consider Nimmo headed into Thursday's series finale in Washington.

Merrill (ankle) is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Giants on Wednesday.

Merrill will be out of the Padres' lineup for a third consecutive game while working through a left ankle injury that he has been dealing with since Friday. Gavin Sheets, Ramon Laureano and Fernando Tatis will start in the outfield from left to right in Merrill's absence.

Tucker is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Tucker sat out both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader and will remain on the bench again Wednesday as manager Craig Counsell gives the outfielder some time off to clear his head while he's in the midst of a slump at the plate. Owen Cassie will start in right field and bat seventh in place of Tucker, who has a .182 batting average since the All-Star break.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Siri (tibia) will begin a rehab assignment next week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Siri has missed most of the season with a fractured left tibia but is almost ready for game action. Given how much time he's missed, Siri is likely to need at least a handful of rehab contests before returning to the Mets' active roster. How Siri fits into the team's roster is unclear at this point, especially after Cedric Mullins was acquired at the trade deadline.