MLB Player News

The Dodgers designated Kennedy for assignment Monday.

Kennedy will head to the waiver wire while the Dodgers bring utility player Enrique Hernandez (elbow) back from the injured list. After being claimed off waivers by the Dodgers on Aug. 15, Kennedy went 1-for-17 with one RBI and one run scored over seven games. If he clears waivers, Kennedy could accept an outright assignment and stick around with the organization at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Dodgers activated Hernandez (elbow) from the 10-day injured list prior to Monday's game against the Reds.

Hernandez isn't listed in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener, but he'll see his first action since July 5 over the next few days now that he's made a full recovery from left elbow inflammation. Manager Dave Roberts noted Monday that Hernandez will draw starts Tuesday and Wednesday, per Jon Paul Hoornstra of Newsweek.com. Hernandez was hitting just .083 with one home run, four RBI and two runs scored in his last 10 appearances before going down with the injury.

The Mets announced July 29 that Smith (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions and could be close to facing live hitters in batting practice, MLB.com reports.

Updates on Smith's rehab from his July 2024 Tommy John surgery with an internal brace have been scarce over the past month, but assuming he's experienced no setbacks during the ramp-up process, he could have an outside shot at returning from the 60-day injured list in September. Before suffering the elbow injury last summer, Smith had been an integral piece in the New York bullpen, posting a 3.06 ERA while collecting two saves and six holds over his 19 appearances in 2024.

McCutchen is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

The Pirates will give McCutchen a routine day off after he had been included in the starting nine in each of the last three contests. With McCutchen taking a seat, Bryan Reynolds will get a day off from playing right field but will stick in the lineup at designated hitter.

Kiner-Falefa is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Kiner-Falefa will retreat to the bench for the series opener in St. Louis after he started in each of the last three contests. Jared Triolo will cover third base Monday in Kiner-Falefa's stead, which opens up shortstop for Liover Peguero.

Davis is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Davis had started behind the plate in four of the Pirates' last six games, going 3-for-12 with two doubles, one walk, one stolen base, one RBI and two runs during that stretch. He'll give way to Joey Bart on Monday, but Davis could be Option 1A at catcher for the Pirates for the time being.

Gasser (elbow) struck out four batters and allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks across 4.2 innings in a rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Nashville.

Gasser has now made eight starts in the minors since beginning his rehab assignment July 19 in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Though pitchers are typically allotted just 30 days of rehab time in the minors while on the injured list, pitchers like Gasser who are returning from Tommy John surgery are eligible for up to three consecutive 10-day extensions, and the Brewers appear to have taken advantage of that rule to give the right-hander some additional ramp-up time. Since shifting his assignment to Nashville on Aug. 8, Gasser has turned in a 1.98 ERA over 13.2 innings in four starts, but his other ratios (1.32 WHIP, 12:6 K:BB) aren't quite as shiny. Milwaukee will likely continue to allow Gasser to work as a starter during his rehab assignment, but if he rejoins the big club over the final five weeks of the season, he would presumably work out of the bullpen, unless injuries test the organization's starting depth.

Arenado (shoulder) will begin a throwing program this week, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Arenado recently resumed hitting and will continue to ramp up his rehab with some throwing later this week. The veteran third baseman is working his way back from a right shoulder strain, and there is no timetable for his return to the Cardinals' active roster. Nolan Gorman will continue to serve as the team's primary option at the hot corner while Arenado is away.

Scott (ankle) has been hitting and hopes to progress with his outfield work later this week, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The Cardinals have not revealed a timetable for Scott's return, but it does not seem as though he will be back before the end of August. Scott has been sidelined for the last week-plus with a sprained left ankle. Nathan Church has been seeing most of the action in center field since Scott went down.

Donovan (groin) has been hitting off a tee, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear whether Donovan is doing any other baseball activities, but he does not seem to be close to returning from his left groin strain. Thomas Saggese has been handling the bulk of the reps at second base in Donovan's stead and will likely continue to do so.