MLB Player News

Ohtani (biceps/knee) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Nationals on Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani has been working through lingering knee and biceps injuries and will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game as a result. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Ohtani as still viewed as "day-to-day," and the hope is that he can avoid a stint on the IL, per Woo. The injuries have delayed his pitching progression, and it's becoming increasingly uncertain whether he'll return to the mound before the end of the regular season. Alex Call will serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter and bat seventh Friday while Tommy Edman hits out of the leadoff spot.

The Cardinals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

The move makes room on the Cardinals' roster for Andre Pallante (elbow), who was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Rockies on Friday. In six outings after being promoted from Triple-A on Aug. 21, Fernandez allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out eight across 9.2 innings.

Pallante (elbow) has been activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Rockies on Friday.

Pallante has been officially cleared to return from a two-week stint on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation. He'll take a 3.57 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 136 innings into Friday's start, his first against the Rockies since July 23, 2025, when he took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings. Right-hander Ryan Fernandez was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move.

Stott was scratched from Friday's lineup against Atlanta for personal reasons.

With Stott attending to a personal matter, Edmundo Sosa will shift to third base while Bryan De La Cruz starts in left field and bats seventh. It's unclear whether Stott will be back in action for Saturday's contest. He has gone 9-for-51 (.176) with one steal, one home run, four RBI and eight runs scored over his last 15 outings.

Fermin is not in the Cardinals' starting lineup against the Rockies on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Fermin will take a breather while Bryan Torres will start at second base and bat out of the leadoff spot. Fermin has gone 7-for-28 with two steals, one RBI and four runs scored over his last seven games.

Flores is not in the Pirates' starting lineup against the Angels on Friday.

Flores will get a breather after going 2-for-31 with one home run, three RBI and a 2:8 BB:K over his last six games. Henry Davis will start behind home plate and bat ninth while forming a battery with Jared Jones.

Valdez is not in the Pirates' starting lineup against the Angels on Friday.

Valdez is out of the lineup for a second consecutive game, with Jake Mangum, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds starting in the outfield from left to right. Valdez has gone 6-for-37 (.162) with two home runs, four RBI and a 5:21 BB:K over his last 10 outings.

The Nationals designated Kranick for assignment Friday.

Kranick has been jettisoned from the Nationals' 40-man roster after allowing nine runs on seven hits and six walks over his last 3.2 innings spanning three appearances, striking only two batters in that time. Taking Kranick's place in the bullpen is right-hander Jack Sinclair, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Rochester.

The Nationals selected Sinclair's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Sinclair is heading to the big leagues for the first time in his career, with Max Kranick being designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Across 52 appearances in Triple-A this season, Sinclair has a 4.03 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 74:32 K:BB over 60.1 innings.

Cosgrove was assigned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday after clearing outright waivers.

Cosgrove will stay in the Nationals organization in the minors after being designated for assignment Wednesday. Across 30 appearances in Triple-A this season, Cosgrove has a 4.15 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 32:22 K:BB over 30.1 innings.