MLB Player News

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

Realmuto started the previous five contests and is in the midst of a seven-game hit streak, during which he's batting .440 (11-for-25) with two doubles and three home runs, but he'll take a seat for Sunday's series finale versus Washington. Rafael Marchan will step in behind the plate to catch for lefty Ranger Suarez.

Lopez (illness) will start at shortstop and bat fifth Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Lopez was held out of the starting nine in the previous three games due to a stomach illness, but he's good to go for the series finale versus Toronto. The 26-year-old has struggled to a .189/.250/.230 slash line with just three extra-base hits (all doubles) through 21 games in August.

The Brewers recalled Patrick from Triple-A Nashville to start Sunday against the Giants, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander was temporarily promoted for a spot start during Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs and will rejoin the Brewers to close out the weekend series versus the Giants. Patrick took the loss in Chicago after giving up five runs (three earned), but he's mostly been an effective rotation piece during his rookie season with a 3.61 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 99:32 K:BB over 99.2 innings at the big-league level.

Winn was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays due to left knee pain, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The shortstop received an injection in the knee over the All-Star break to address lingering discomfort and had been playing through the issue while starting all but two of the Cardinals' last 33 games, but his condition appears to have worsened while taking on the heavy workload. He can be considered day-to-day heading into the Cardinals' four-game series with the Pirates that begins Monday.

The Cardinals optioned Veneziano to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

Veneziano will cede his spot in the St. Louis bullpen to John King (oblique), who was activated from the 15-day injured list. After being called up from Memphis last Sunday, Veneziano made two relief appearances for the Cardinals and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over four innings.

The Cardinals activated King (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

St. Louis optioned reliever Anthony Veneziano to Triple-A Memphis to clear room in the bullpen for King, who had been shelved since July 30 due to a left oblique strain. Prior to going down with the injury, King had notched two wins and two holds while delivering a 5.18 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB across 41.2 innings in 43 appearances.

Smith went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a double in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Brewers.

Smith lined a single to center field in the sixth inning before coming around to score. The 30-year-old first baseman added a double in the seventh and scored once again. He's been productive this month, slashing .317/.339/.433 with 10 RBI, eight runs scored, four doubles, one homer and one stolen base across 62 plate appearances in 18 games during August.

Lucchesi threw a scoreless inning in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Brewers, allowing one hit.

Lucchesi entered the game in the seventh, giving up a single and throwing seven of his 12 pitches for strikes. The 32-year-old has appeared in nine games this month, recording a 9.39 ERA, 2.22 WHIP and a 4:4 K:BB in 7.2 innings. Overall, he owns a 3.96 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 21:6 K:BB across 25 innings in 25 games.

Church is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Church started in center field in the first two games of the series and went 2-for-8 with a home run, a stolen base, three RBI and three runs, but he'll take a seat for the series finale as the Cardinals make room for Jordan Walker in right field, with Lars Nootbaar shifting to center. Church and Walker could end up forming something of a timeshare for the final spot in the St. Louis outfield until the Cardinals get either Brendan Donovan (groin) or Victor Scott (ankle) back from the injured list.

Burleson (wrist) will start in left field and bat third Sunday against the Rays, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old sat out Friday's 10-6 loss due to wrist irritation, but he's ready to go after Saturday's team off day. In his past 10 games, Burleson has a .333/.364/.476 slash line with a home run, a triple, a double and eight RBI.