MLB Player News

Kurtz (hip) will embark on a rehab assignment Saturday with Single-A Stockton, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz was placed on the 10-day injured list May 25 due to a strained left hip flexor. He's expected to be activated off the IL ahead of Monday's game against the Angels, but he'll test his hip in Single-A before returning to the majors. Kurtz went 7-for-17 with four home runs and nine RBI in the five games prior to his injury.

Hoskins is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

Hoskins will get the night off Friday after making six consecutive starts for the Brewers. In his stead, Jake Bauers will play first base and bat seventh.

Arraez (knee) will serve as the designated hitter and bat second against Milwaukee on Friday.

Padres manager Mike Shildt told reporters Thursday that Arraez is working through posterior knee soreness. The 28-year-old is considered day-to-day, but he could see more work as the Padres' DH while Gavin Sheets shifts to first base. Arraez has gone 10-for-35 with five RBI over his last nine games.

Busch is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers.

Busch will get the night off Friday against ace lefty Tarik Skubal, after making four straight starts at first base. The 27-year-old Busch is riding a seven-game hit streak, and he's 10-for-23 with two homers and a 4:3 BB:K during that stretch. Justin Turner will bat eighth and play first base Friday.

Manager Rob Thomson said Friday that Harper is day-to-day with soreness in his right wrist, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Harper is out of Friday's lineup.

Harper has been playing through a nagging wrist injury and will get Friday off to rest and recover. The first baseman also missed time last week after being hit by a pitch in the elbow. In his place, Alec Bohm will bat third and play first base.

Naylor (hand/shoulder) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Naylor exited Thursday's game with hand and shoulder soreness, and the issue will keep him out of the lineup Friday. Still, the first baseman can be considered day-to-day. Tim Tawa will fill in at first base Friday.

The Reds activated Encarnacion-Strand (back) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Encarnacion-Strand has been on the shelf since April 17 due to lower-back inflammation, but after a lengthy rehab assignment, he's been cleared to rejoin the Reds. Prior to sustaining the injury, Encarnacion-Strand slashed .158/.183/.298 with two home runs in 60 plate appearances. However, he went 12-for-37 (.324) with a pair of homers over 10 games with Triple-A Louisville during his rehab stint.

Elko went 1-for-5 with an RBI on Thursday against the Tigers.

Elko has started at first base and hit sixth in two straight games since being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday. He has one hit in each contest and provided the game-winning knock in the 10th inning Thursday, though that was also paired with three strikeouts. However, Elko's playing time figured to be impacted by the impending promotion of top prospect Kyle Teel.

Triolo went 2-for-2 with two runs scored during Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Astros.

Triolo accounted for both Pirates runs and two of their five hits before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth. The 27-year-old has recorded multiple hits in his last two games, but he's still in a platoon role and doesn't face a right-handed pitcher all too often. Triolo is slashing .170/.248/.287 in 107 plate appearances this season.

Alonso went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs scored, two RBI and a hit-by-pitch during Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Dodgers.

Alonso finished off the Dodgers series red hot at the plate, going a combined 7-for-13 with a double, three home runs and nine RBI over the final three games of the four-game set. The 30-year-old has been one of baseball's best hitters this season and is up to 55 RBI, tied for the second most in MLB. He is slashing .298/.394/.579, with his average, OBP and OPS on track to set career highs if those high marks hold throughout the season.