MLB Player News

Merrill (ankle) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants.

It's the fourth consecutive start Merrill has missed as he works his way through a bone bruise in his left ankle. Merrill undoubtedly will be aiming to return to action Friday for the start of a big series versus the rival Dodgers, but it doesn't seem to be a given that he'll be ready. Ramon Laureano will shift over to center field and Gavin Sheets will get a start in left field for the Padres on Thursday.

Moniak is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

The left-handed-hitting Moniak had been included in the lineup for each of the last six games while the Rockies went up against right-handed starting pitchers, but he'll take a seat Thursday with southpaw Clayton Kershaw toeing the rubber for Los Angeles. Tyler Freeman will cover right field in place of Moniak, which opens up a spot in the lineup for Kyle Farmer at designated hitter.

Kennedy is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

After starting at third base in each of the last four games while going 1-for-13 at the dish, Kennedy will cede the hot corner to Alex Freeland for the series finale in Colorado. The right-handed-hitting Kennedy could occupy the short side of a platoon at third base with the switch-hitting Freeland until the Dodgers get one of their four injured infielders (Max Muncy, Hyeseong Kim, Tommy Edman and Enrique Hernandez) back from the shelf.

The Reds optioned Mey to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mey has managed to hold the opposition to one run over 6.2 innings during his latest stint in the majors, but that's in spite of nine hits and seven walks. The Reds will announce a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game in Arizona.

McGuire will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Carson Kelly caught all nine innings of the Cubs' 4-3 win Wednesday night, so he'll get a breather for Thursday's matinee and give way to McGuire behind the plate. McGuire looked to be at risk at losing out on the top backup catcher role when Miguel Amaya was activated from the 60-day injured list Aug. 12 after a lengthy absence due to an oblique injury, but Amaya sustained a sprained left ankle in his first game back in action and went back on the IL two days later.

Hernandez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Colorado, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Hernandez blasted his 21st home run of the season in Wednesday's loss and has gone deep three times across his last six contests, but he'll receive a scheduled day off Thursday. Alex Call will start in right field and bat eighth for the Dodgers in the series finale.

The Dodgers recalled Sauer from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Sauer holds a 6.18 ERA and 22:8 K:BB over 27.2 innings covering one start and eight relief outings for the Dodgers this season. He'll give manager Dave Roberts a fresh arm after the bullpen covered four frames in Wednesday's loss to the Rockies.

The Dodgers optioned Gervase to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Gervase was recalled Wednesday and was put to work in the team's loss to the Rockies later that night, allowing one run over a two-inning relief appearance. He'll give up his spot on the active roster and in the bullpen to Matt Sauer, who was recalled from Triple-A ahead of Thursday's series finale in Colorado.

Caissie is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

The rookie will hit the bench for the series finale after he picked up starts in the corner outfield in the first four contests of the five-game set, going 4-for-11 with one home run, one walk, four RBI and three runs. The last three of Caissie's starts came while the slumping Kyle Tucker received an extended break, but Tucker will make his return to the lineup Thursday. Tucker, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong should continue to handle everyday roles between the outfield and the designated-hitter spot moving forward, but manager Craig Counsell could opt to give any of those players a day or two off per week in order to open up semi-regular playing time for Caissie.

Perkins is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Perkins has received most of the reps in center field for the Brewers since Jackson Chourio (hamstring) went down, but he will begin Thursday's series finale on the bench. Brandon Lockridge will patrol center field and hit eighth in the batting order.