MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Tucker will not start the second game of Monday's doubleheader versus the Brewers and will receive multiple days off while he's in the midst of a slump at the plate, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Tucker came into Monday slashing .195/.333/.242 with one home run since the beginning of July and then went 0-for-4 in the Cubs' 7-0 loss in the first game of the twin bill. With Tucker expected to receive multiple days off to regroup, rookie Owen Caissie should be in line for more short-term playing time in the corner outfield.

Smith is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Rockies on Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith will get a breather while Dalton Rushing serves behind home plate and bats ninth for Monday's series opener. Smith went 0-for-10 with five strikeouts during the Dodgers' three-game weekend sweep of the Padres, and the veteran catcher has gone 5-for-38 (.132) with one home run and four RBI since the beginning of August.

Hollowell allowed four runs on three hits and four walks across two innings of relief in a 7-0 loss to the Brewers in the first game of Monday's doubleheader. He struck out two.

Hollowell simply couldn't find the strike zone consistently, as he threw just 21 of his 45 pitches for strikes. The righty also uncorked a wild pitch in the rough outing as the Cubs let him take one on the chin to save bullpen arms for the second game Monday. Hollowell was called up to the majors earlier in the day to serve as the team's 27th man, and after the poor performance, he'll likely return to Triple-A Iowa in the near future.

Bart is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

Henry Davis will get the nod behind the dish Monday, but the playing time at catcher seems to be tilting in Bart's favor of late. With Davis batting just .098 since the All-Star break, Bart was awarded starts in three of the previous four contests. Bart went 3-for-10 with two doubles, two walks and two RBI during that stretch to boost his case for earning more opportunities at Davis' expense.

Suwinski is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

The left-handed-hitting Suwinski has been drawing regular starts against right-handed pitching of late, but he'll head to the bench Monday while the Blue Jays send righty Kevin Gausman to the hill. With Suwinski getting the night off in the series opener, Alexander Canario will cover center field and will bat seventh.

Locklear is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians.

Pavin Smith is starting at first base in his first game back from the injured list. Locklear had started each of the previous 16 contests and should still function as the team's primary first baseman down the stretch, but Smith could eat into his playing time somewhat.

The Diamondbacks optioned Kaiser to Triple-A Reno following Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Kaiser was called up by the Diamondbacks on Aug. 1 and saw his first major-league action since 2023, when he was a member of the Rockies. He appeared in five games (four starts) and went 2-for-14 (.143 average) with two RBI over that span. Kaiser will give up his spot on the 26-man active roster to infielder Ildemaro Vargas (foot), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

The Diamondbacks optioned Barrosa to Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Barrosa will give up his spot on the active roster to first baseman/designated hitter Pavin Smith (oblique), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. After being called up July 25, Barrosa saw sparse playing time and struggled at the plate in his limited opportunities, going 1-for-21 with a run scored. The 24-year-old outfielder should return to an everyday role upon rejoining Reno.

Arizona reinstated Vargas (foot) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Vargas has fully recovered from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot that landed him on the 10-day IL in late June. He recorded a hit in each of his last three rehab games with Triple-A Reno, going 3-for-11 (.273) with two runs, one triple and one RBI over that span. Vargas will likely serve in a depth role in the infield upon his return, though he could get starts at third base in games which Blaze Alexander is out of the lineup.

Sale (ribcage) will make one more rehab start at Double-A Columbus on Saturday before rejoining the Atlanta rotation, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Sale went four innings and threw 56 pitches in his second rehab outing Sunday with Triple-A Gwinnett, so it's not a surprise the club wants him to make one more rehab start. According to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta is targeting Sale for roughly 75 pitches during his upcoming start with Columbus. As long as all goes well during that rehab outing, Sale will return from the 60-day injured list to make his next start with Atlanta as soon as Aug. 28 in Philadelphia. Sale has been on the shelf since June 21 due to a left ribcage fracture.