MLB Player News

Castro is out of the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Cardinals.

It marks the third consecutive absence from the lineup for Castro, who had started 11 straight and 22 of 23 games prior to this three-game playing-time drought. Castro has an .828 second-half OPS, so this could simply be about the Rockies giving younger players a look. Adael Amador will play second base and Connor Norby will be at third base Friday.

The Reds optioned Johnson to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

The 27-year-old was called up by Cincinnati in late August and will return to Louisville after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout and a walk in four contests. Johnson has gone 1-for-16 in his first taste of the big leagues this year but has an .802 OPS in 71 games for Louisville.

Edwards (thumb) has begun doing rotational work in the batting cage and throwing a ball, but he's still unable to play catch or fully squeeze his hand due to inflammation, MLB.com reports.

The infielder injured his thumb while applying a tag at second base Aug. 30, but Edwards avoided any structural damage and is dealing with a sprain. The Marlins remain optimistic he'll be back in the lineup in mid-September, and he could progress quickly once the inflammation in his thumb subsides.

Edman went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs and a stolen base in a 3-2 win against the Cardinals on Thursday.

With Shohei Ohtani (biceps/knee) getting a day off, Edman took over atop the lineup for the Dodgers. That decision paid off in a big way, as the utility man reached base four times and scored two of the team's three runs. Edman has been red hot to begin September, going 8-for-15 with five runs and two RBI through three games. Should Ohtani need more time to recover, Edman could continue to temporarily hold down the leadoff spot.

Ramirez (back) will start at second base and bat seventh in Thursday's contest versus the Brewers.

Ramirez didn't see any action in the first three games of the series as he battled back spasms, but he's in there for the finale. The 22-year-old rookie should see the lion's share of playing time at second base down the stretch for the Cubs, though Matt Shaw also figures to be worked into the mix at the keystone.

Brito started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a walk, a three-run home run and a stolen base in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Padres.

Brito erased an early three-run deficit with a three-run homer in the second inning. It was the first hit for his new team, which acquired Brito at the trade deadline from Cleveland and added him to the roster for September. He's started two straight games at second base since his promotion, while Matt McLain covered shortstop for Elly De La Cruz, who is battling a quadriceps injury that limited him to designated hitter the last three contests.

Amador went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double and two runs scored Wednesday against the Orioles.

Amador drew his second consecutive start since being recalled to the majors Tuesday when rosters expanded, with one coming at second base and another at DH. He has taken advantage of the opportunity, going 4-for-8 with three runs scored, a double and a home run.

Ramirez (back) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Ramirez has not played since Sunday as he battles back spasms, though there's been no indication thus far that he might require time on the injured list. Matt Shaw is again handling second base for the Cubs.

Castro is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Orioles.

It's unclear whether Castro is banged up, but this will be his second straight day on the bench after he had started the previous 11 contests. Connor Norby is handling third base for the Rockies.

Marte is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Phillies.

Marte started the first two games of the series after returning from the injured list Monday, but he'll exit the lineup for Wednesday's matinee. Ildemaro Vargas will cover second base for the Diamondbacks.