MLB Player News

Ashcraft (forearm) played catch Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 27 due to a right forearm strain, which an MRI confirmed to be inflammation in a muscle near his wrist. The next step for Ashcraft is to throw a side session Sunday and then face live hitters.

Wentz is starting Sunday's game against the Mariners, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Spencer Strider was initially penciled in to start Sunday's series finale, but he'll get extra rest while Wentz is pushed up in the rotation. The southpaw has gone fewer than five frames in two of his past three starts, but overall Wentz has been a decent rotation piece for Atlanta with a 3.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 47:17 K:BB over 48.2 innings (nine starts).

Strider isn't starting Sunday's game against the Mariners and will instead take the mound Tuesday against the Cubs, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta indicated that the decision isn't injury-related, so the organization is seemingly just looking to get Strider some extra rest during the final stretch of the season. It's been an underwhelming campaign for the right-hander, who missed a month early in the season due to a hamstring injury and has a 4.97 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 106:41 K:BB across 101.1 innings. Joey Wentz is moving up in the rotation to start Sunday's series finale versus Seattle.

McCarthy started in left field and went 1-for-2 with two RBI in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Red Sox.

McCarthy's bases-loaded fielder's choice in the second inning plated the Diamondbacks' first run, and then he added a run-scoring single in the fourth. He's expected to serve as the primary left fielder against right-handers due to Lourdes Gurriel (knee) being done for the season, leaving Jorge Barrosa to see most of the opportunities against left-handed pitching.

Alexander started at third base before moving to left field Saturday, going 0-for-3 with an RBI in a 5-1 win over Boston.

Alexander made the defensive switch in the seventh inning. One inning later, he robbed Alex Bregman of a home run despite never having played the outfield in the majors before this past week. He's made three outfield starts and could soon gain fantasy eligibility at the position depending on league requirements. Alexander is slashing .234/.332/.431 with seven home runs, a .197 ISO and 22 RBI over 167 at-bats.

Alvarez is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

As anticipated, Alvarez will stick around in the Washington rotation after delivering a sterling performance in his MLB debut this past Monday against the Marlins. The 26-year-old lefty had a no-hitter going through the first four innings and ultimately allowed just three baserunners while striking out four batters across five frames, earning the win and helping the Nationals halt an eight-game losing streak. Alvarez will get a stiffer test for his second MLB start as he matches up against a Cubs offense that ranks fifth in baseball with a 109 wRC+ on the season, though Chicago could be without two of its key batters in Kyle Tucker (calf) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (knee).

Smith (hand) could be available off the bench for Sunday's game against the Orioles, MLB.com reports.

Smith has been left out of the lineup for each of the last three games while he's dealt with a right hand contusion, but the Dodgers have chosen not to place him on the injured list after an X-ray and CT scan came back clean. The injury may be something that Smith has to manage for the rest of the season, though he seems to have made at least a little progress. Ben Rortvedt will draw the start behind the plate in Sunday's series finale, but Smith could be called upon to make a pinch-hit appearance at some point during the contest.

Manaea is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Though manager Carlos Mendoza had previously said that Manaea would make his 10th start of the season in Monday's series opener, rookie Nolan McLean will instead get the ball for that game. Manaea will be pushed back an additional day as a result, with the change taking the left-hander out of the running for a two-start week, assuming the Mets keep their six-man rotation in place. Manaea owns an excellent 37:5 K:BB in 27.2 innings over his last six starts, but since he's allowed six home runs and a .390 BABIP over that stretch, he's inflicted heavy damage on his fantasy managers' ratios with a 7.81 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.

Walker (5-5) took the loss and was charged with a blown save against the Cardinals on Saturday, failing to record an out while allowing three runs on four hits and a hit batter.

Called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth, the right-hander quickly found himself in trouble, surrendering back-to-back singles before plunking Jimmy Crooks to load the bases. Thomas Saggese tied the game with an RBI single, and Jordan Walker followed with a two-run double to left, sealing Walker's fifth blown save of the season in 19 chances. The meltdown also snapped a 10-appearance scoreless streak for the Giants' reliever, who sports a 3.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 55:14 K:BB across 55 innings of work.

Pallante didn't factor into the decision against the Giants on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three over six innings.

Pallante turned in his first quality start since July 28, keeping San Francisco in check outside of a pair of runs in the fourth inning. The right-hander has struggled with consistency in the second half, including a 9.82 ERA and 2.14 WHIP over five starts in August, but he showed improved command and efficiency Saturday by completing six innings for just the second time in his last eight outings. Pallante will take a 5.28 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 104:53 K:BB over 150 innings into Milwaukee for his next scheduled start.