MLB Player News

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Ruiz will hit the bench for the fourth time in six games while the Nationals go with Drew Millas behind the dish. Though the playing time has been tilting in Millas' favor of late, Ruiz has been the better producer at the plate by a narrow margin. Ruiz has turned in a .516 OPS over 58 plate appearances, while Millas has provided a .422 OPS across 55 plate appearances.

Bleday will start in left field and bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Rockies.

The Reds will keep Bleday in the lineup for a third consecutive matchup versus a right-hander (Michael Lorenzen), after Bleday went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a walk between his first two starts since being called up from Triple-A Louisville. Bleday looks like he could get a trial as a strong-side platoon player in the corner outfield, with Will Benson (.668 OPS in 46 plate appearances) and Rece Hinds (.402 OPS in 34 plate appearances) having both underwhelmed in their opportunities for the Reds thus far.

Moniak is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies kept Moniak in the lineup for Wednesday's 13-2 win while southpaw Brandon Williamson started for the Reds, but the left-handed-hitting outfielder will exit the starting nine Thursday while Cincinnati sends another lefty (Andrew Abbott) to the bump. Colorado will run out a starting outfield of Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle and Troy Johnston from left to right in the series finale.

Rojas will consider continuing his playing career in 2027, but only if the Dodgers win the World Series this season, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Rojas has said previously that the 2026 season would be his last, but he's leaving the door cracked open in the event the Dodgers are going for a four-peat next season. The 37-year-old is still capable and is off to a strong start in 2026, slashing .341/.375/.477 with one home run and a 3:7 BB:K.

Nootbaar (heels) is close to participating in extended spring training games, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar has been rehabbing at the Cardinals' spring training complex as he works his way back from offseason surgery on both heels. He will knock off some rust in extended spring training before eventually being assigned to a full-season affiliate. Nootbaar is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list May 24, and the Cardinals are tentatively lining him up to be back at that time.

Hence was demoted to the Cardinals' Florida Complex League roster Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Hence has posted an 8.64 ERA and 7:9 K:BB over 8.1 innings while working out of the bullpen at Triple-A Memphis. In his most recent outing, the righty averaged just 89.6 mph with his four-seamer and 90.2 mph with his sinker, with both pitches reflecting considerable drops in velocity. Hence will work on things in a less pressurized environment before likely rejoining the Memphis roster at a later date.

Fernandez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee.

Fernandez had started the last four contests and 17 of the past 18 tilts, but he'll begin Thursday's festivities on the bench. Adrian Del Castillo will occupy the designated-hitter slot in Thursday's rubber match.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that Soto (forearm) could return to playing the outfield during this weekend's series versus the Angels, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Soto has been limited to designated-hitter duty while battling left forearm tightness, but he's progressed to the point that a return to playing defense is imminent. A return to left field for Soto will allow for more flexibility in the Mets' DH slot and give the club more outfield options while Luis Robert (back) is on the shelf.

Lockridge is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Diamondbacks.

Lockridge has been a regular presence in the Brewers' lineup lately, but he'll begin Thursday's festivities on the bench. Greg Jones is in left field and batting eighth in the rubber match.

Black will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Thursday's game versus the Diamondbacks.

With Christian Yelich (groin) still out, the left-handed-hitting Black is settling in as the Brewers' primary DH against right-handers, having now made four starts in five games in such situations. He's off to a nice start, going 5-for-14 with three RBI.