MLB Player News

Eldridge isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers due to a bruised left thumb, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Eldridge said he suffered the bruise after getting jammed a couple of times last week, and the injury also helps to explain why he was absent from Monday's lineup. He'll be available to serve as a pinch runner Tuesday and is expected to return to the starting nine in Wednesday's series finale. In the meantime, Buddy Kennedy will serve as San Francisco's DH and bat sixth.

Alcantara went 1-for-1 with a walk and a two-run home run in Monday's 10-5 win over the Dodgers.

Alcantara was recalled from Triple-A Iowa earlier in the day, and he wasted no time getting comfortable in the majors as he posted his first ever home run with the Cubs. The 24-year-old may not have a path to everyday playing time at the moment, but the offensive potential is there whenever he is in the lineup. Alcantara was raking against Triple-A pitching, and he's worth keeping an eye on in case he gets hot in the short term for Chicago.

Eldridge is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

Right-hander Cal Quantrill is on the bump for the Rangers, but the left-handed-hitting Eldridge will get a breather nonetheless. Nate Furman will pick up a start at designated hitter in place of Eldridge, who slashed .220/.315/.385 with five home runs, one stolen base, 10 RBI and 14 runs while he was a part of the lineup for each of the Giants' last 29 games.

The Cubs recalled Alcantara from Triple-A Iowa on Monday. He'll start in left field and bat ninth in the series opener versus the Dodgers.

Just over a week after being sent to Iowa, Alcantara will join the big-league roster as a replacement for Justin Dean, who was optioned to Triple-A. Alcantara has seen limited opportunities with the Cubs this season but has produced a .271/.363/.542 slash line with 17 home runs over 273 plate appearances at Iowa.

Lowe went 3-for-4 with two RBI, two doubles, a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-2 win over the Pirates.

With Spencer Steer (wrist) on the injured list, Lowe is tearing the cover off the ball as of late. He's batting .352 over his last 14 games, racking up three homers, four doubles and 12 RBI covering 56 plate appearances during that span. Lowe is enjoying a productive first season overall with the Reds, slashing .266/.341/.480 with 12 long balls, 17 doubles and 37 RBI across 276 trips to the dish.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ohtani (knee/biceps) is expected to play catch in Chicago this week, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani continues to serve as the Dodgers' everyday designated hitter, but he hasn't made a start as a pitcher since July 3 as a result of left knee inflammation and right biceps soreness. Despite having his throwing program halted on a couple of occasions, the Dodgers remain confident that Ohtani will be able to rejoin the rotation before the end of the regular season. The Dodgers will see how Ohtani's knee and biceps respond to playing catch before deciding if he's fit to get back on the mound to throw a bullpen session.

The Mets designated Melendez for assignment Sunday.

Melendez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in late June and has now lost his place on New York's 40-man roster. The 27-year-old posted a .665 OPS and 34.7 percent strikeout rate in 144 plate appearances while up with the Mets this season.

Yelich is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Yelich started the previous five games and will get a breather Sunday after going 3-for-19 with three walks, a steal and five strikeouts during that span. Jake Bauers will serve as the designated hitter while Andrew Vaughn starts at first base for the series finale in Anaheim.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

The 31-year-old started Atlanta's last two matchups versus right-handed pitching and went 2-for-6 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and three runs, but he'll retreat to the bench Sunday against righty Cade Cavalli. Smith looks like he'll have to settle for a part-time role at designated hitter versus righties while Mike Yastrzemski and Ronald Acuna both see more time at that spot following their recent returns from the injured list.

Eldridge went 2-for-5 in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Padres.

Eldridge hit a leadoff single in the first inning and added another base hit to begin the fifth. The 21-year-old has delivered three multi-hit performances since the All-Star break, batting .193 with seven runs scored, six RBI, three home runs and a stolen base in 66 plate appearances during that span. Overall, he's slashing .253/.350/.445 with 35 runs scored, 26 RBI, 11 long balls and a stolen base across 283 plate appearances this season.