MLB Player News

Ruiz (head) is not in the Nationals' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Ruiz was removed from Wednesday's game against Atlanta after taking a foul tip off his mask. The good news for him was that he cleared the league's concussion protocol, but he'll take at least one game off to get some additional rest. Henry Ford will start behind home plate Friday and bat seventh.

Lowe is not in the lineup for the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader against Detroit.

With lefty Andrew Sears starting Friday's nightcap for Detroit, Lowe will ride the bench. David Fry will take over at first base and bat sixth for Cleveland.

Quintana (elbow) is in line to begin a rehab assignment next week, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Quintana has been steadily building up his pitch count in bullpen sessions since early August as he progresses in his recovery from a left elbow sprain that landed him on the injured list in late May. It's been a lengthy recovery for the veteran southpaw, so even if he's cleared to embark on a rehab assignment, it's unclear whether he'll see major-league action before the conclusion of the regular season.

Bazzana is absent from Cleveland's lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against Detroit.

With the Tigers sending Andrew Sears to the mound for the nightcap, the left-handed hitter will ride the pine. Bazzana went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored during the matinee. Angel Genao will man second base and bat seventh for the Guardians.

Greene is absent from Detroit's lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against Cleveland.

After being reinstated from the injured list Tuesday, Greene will rest for the second half of Friday's doubleheader. The 25-year-old went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the matinee. Ben Malgeri will man left field and bat seventh for the Tigers.

Dingler is not in the lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Dingler will take a seat after going 1-for-4 in the opener of the twin bill. Eduardo Valencia will catch and bat cleanup for Detroit in the nightcap.

Lombard (knee) is in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

After missing four straight games due to right knee inflammation, Lombard will make his return to the starting nine for Friday's series opener in San Diego. The 21-year-old will man shortstop and bat seventh for the Yankees.

Cleveland optioned Allen to Triple-A Columbus after the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Detroit.

Allen started the matinee Friday and got roughed up for six runs (five earned) over 2.1 innings. Cleveland opted for a fresh arm for the nightcap, calling up Daniel Espino from Columbus to replace Allen on the active roster.

The Guardians recalled Espino from Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Espino will return for his first stint with the big-league club since late July, when he appeared in just one game. With Columbus, the right-hander owns a 3-1 record, 3.68 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 49:22 K:BB over 36.2 innings this season. Cleveland optioned Logan Allen to Triple-A to clear a roster spot for Espino.

Freeland (neck) is scheduled to throw an up-and-down bullpen session Saturday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.

Since landing on the injured list Aug. 24 due to cervical radiculopaty, Freeland threw what he called a "fairly aggressive" 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, per MLB.com reports. He'll be throwing more of a simulated bullpen session Saturday, and if all goes well, Freeland could be cleared to head out on a brief rehab assignment. Freeland appears to be tracking toward a return from the injured list around the middle of September.