MLB Player News

Trout is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Twins on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Fletcher relays that it's a planned off-day for Trout, who will play center field Saturday and will either play center field or serve as the designated hitter in Sunday's series finale. Josh Lowe will start in center field Friday while Wade Meckler and Jo Adell man the corners.

Troy isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Troy has collected a base hit in each of his last four games, but the D-backs will keep him on the bench to begin Friday's contest. Ryan Waldschmidt will start in center field and bat eighth.

Kepler isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Kepler will get a breather Friday after going 4-for-13 with a homer, six RBI and two runs scored during Arizona's four-game set against the Padres. His absence will allow Lourdes Gurriel to start in left field and open a spot in the lineup for Tim Tawa at first base.

Rodriguez (concussion) is not expected to be activated from the 7-day injured list for this weekend's series against the Rays, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Rodriguez is eligible to come off the injured list Friday, but he's already not in the lineup for the series opener against the Rays, and it sounds like he's going to take the entire weekend set along with the All-Star break to rest up before the second half of the season. Luke Raley is starting in center field and batting sixth for Seattle against right-hander Nick Martinez on Friday.

The Phillies released Carlson on Friday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Carlson made the Cubs' Opening Day roster but has spent nearly all of the season at the Triple-A level, slashing just .180/.294/.317 between Iowa and Lehigh Valley. The 27-year-old will look for a new gig elsewhere and will likely have to accept a minor-league contract.

Church is absent from the lineup for Friday's tilt versus Atlanta.

With lefty Chris Sale toeing the slab, the left-handed-hitting Church will begin the festivities on the bench. Jose Fermin will patrol center field and bat seventh for the Cardinals.

Nootbaar is not in the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Lefty ace Chris Sale is on the bump for Atlanta, so the Cardinals are loading up their lineup with righty bats. The right-handed-hitting Nelson Velazquez will cover left field while the lefty-swinging Noobaar sits.

Chourio is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh.

Chourio is off to a slow start in July with a .225/.279/.350 batting line in 10 games, so he will get a day off to regroup. Luis Lara will draw a start in left field and bat sixth for the Brewers.

Suzuki (cramps) will start in right field and bat cleanup in Friday's game versus the Reds.

Suzuki was forced to depart Thursday's game in Baltimore due to cramps, but he was fine shortly after the contest ended and will not have to miss a start. The 31-year-old has homered in back-to-back games.

Lile is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees.

The left-handed-hitting Lile will get a break as the Yankees send southpaw Ryan Weathers to the hill. Andres Chaparro is getting a start in Lile's place and will occupy the designated-hitter slot.