MLB Player News

The Giants activated Walker (personal) from the paternity list Monday.

Walker missed the Giants' weekend series against the Rays as he welcomed a new baby to the family, but he'll rejoin the club ahead of its series opener in San Diego on Monday. He'll fill a setup role out of the San Francisco bullpen.

The Cubs announced that Horton was removed in the third inning of his start in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Brewers due to a blister on his right middle finger, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Horton was visited on the mound on three occasions during the afternoon before he was lifted from the contest after recording three strikeouts and allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk across 2.2 innings. Though the blister isn't a major health concern for the young hurler, it could jeopardize his availability for his next turn through the rotation, which is expected to come this weekend versus the Angels. If Horton ends up requiring a stint on the injured list, the Cubs could recall Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to replace the rookie in the rotation.

Wheeler (shoulder) underwent a thrombolysis procedure Monday to remove a blood clot in his right upper extremity.

According to the Phillies' press release, Wheeler's subsequent treatment plan and timeline to return to game action are yet to be determined. More clarity on the right-hander's situation should be available in the coming days and weeks. With Wheeler sidelined indefinitely, Taijuan Walker will continue to hold down a spot in the Philadelphia rotation as the team's No. 5 starter.

Saggese will start at second base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Marlins.

With Brendan Donovan (groin) landing on the injured list after sitting out each of the Cardinals' previous three contests, Saggese looks to have some short-term security in St. Louis' everyday lineup. Saggese will draw a ninth straight start Monday, after he went 9-for-30 (.300 average) with two RBI, three runs and one stolen base over the previous eight contests. However, Saggese has posted a .409 BABIP and a 0:8 BB:K during that eight-game stretch, so his overall production could look less appealing once his good fortune on balls in play inevitably takes a turn for the worse.

Walker is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Miami.

Walker started in right field in each of the previous five games and 10 of the last 11 tilts, but he will begin Monday's contest on the bench. The Cardinals will go with Alec Burleson, Nathan Church and Lars Nootbaar in the outfield from left to right in the series opener in Miami.

Nootbaar (cramps) will start in right field and bat leadoff in Monday's game against the Marlins.

Nootbaar was forced out late in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Yankees after dealing with some muscle cramping, but he was able to make enough progress overnight for the Cardinals to clear him to rejoin the lineup for the start of a three-game set in Miami. The 27-year-old had made each of his previous three starts in left field but will shift over to right Monday while Jordan Walker gets the evening off.

Contreras (foot) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Monday's game against the Marlins.

Contreras missed the previous four games after being hit on the foot by a pitch, but he's good to go for the series opener in Miami. With Contreras back in action, Alec Burleson will shift back to the outfield after drawing his last four starts at first base.

Church will start in center field and bat ninth in Monday's game versus the Marlins.

Church has now started both games in center field for the Cardinals since he was called up from Triple-A Memphis after Victor Scott (ankle) was placed on the injured list. Lars Nootbaar is also an option for reps in center field, but Church has a much better glove and and had a breakout season offensively in the minors, slashing .329/.386/.524 with 13 home runs and 16 steals across three levels. It's not clear yet when Scott will return, but until he does, Church might serve as the Cardinals' primary center fielder against right-handed pitching.

Horton was removed from his start in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Brewers midway through the third inning due to an apparent blister on his pitching hand, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. He struck out three batters and gave up one run on four hits and one walk over 2.2 frames prior to departing the contest.

The Cubs will likely provide clarity later Monday regarding whether Horton was battling a blister or some other kind of health concern, but the rookie was pulled from the contest after he was visited twice on the mound by Craig Counsell and a team trainer and on an another occasion by pitching coach Tommy Hottovy. Prior to Monday's twin bill, Horton had been the Cubs' top performing starter since the All-Star break, having posted a microscopic 0.32 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 28.1 innings over his last five starts. After exiting with a 1-0 deficit, Horton will be on the hook for his fourth loss of the season if the Cubs are unable to tie the game or take the lead at any point in the remainder of the contest.

The Marlins placed Pauley on the 10-day injured list Monday with a right oblique strain.

Miami hasn't shed light on the severity of the injury that Pauley sustained over the weekend, but given that even mild oblique strains typically entail more than a 10-day recovery, the 24-year-old is unlikely to return from the IL when first eligible Aug. 27. Miami recalled infielder Maximo Acosta from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move, but Javier Sanoja and Eric Wagaman may be likelier candidates to pick up starts at third base while Pauley is on the shelf.