MLB Player News

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said that Smith (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Smith had been taking live at-bats in simulated games at the organization's training facility in Arizona and is now ready to test himself in an uncontrolled game setting. According to Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com, Lovullo said that he's hopeful Smith will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list during the Diamondbacks' next homestand, which begins Aug. 18. Once he's activated, Smith should reclaim a near-everyday role at either first base or designated hitter after he posted an .817 OPS in 264 plate appearances prior to landing on the shelf July 6 due to a right oblique strain.

Devers went 2-for-2 with two walks and a solo home run in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Nationals.

The 28-year-old slugger got the Giants on the board by taking Brad Lord deep in the sixth inning. Devers has found a groove since the All-Star break, slashing ,276/.389/.526 over his last 20 games with five of his 22 homers on the season, and his conversion to first base seems to be going smoothly. While he was in the lineup as the DH on Saturday, Devers has played eight games so far at first base, leaving him close to gaining eligibility in most fantasy formats.

Whisenhunt (1-1) took the loss Saturday as the Giants fell 4-2 to the Nationals, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out five.

Four of the five hits off the rookie southpaw went for extra bases, including solo shots by James Wood, Paul DeJong and Josh Bell. Whisenhunt has been taken deep five times in his first 14.1 big-league innings, fueling a 5.02 ERA, but the Giants seem likely to keep him in the rotation at least until Landen Roupp (elbow) returns. Whisenhunt lines up to make his next start at home next weekend against the Rays.

The Cardinals do not expect Arenado (shoulder) to return from the 10-day injured list during their upcoming Aug. 18-24 road trip, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Arenado reported to the team's spring training facility in Florida on Friday and his focus for the first week he's there will be to regain strength in his injured right shoulder. It's not clear when the veteran third baseman might be ready to rejoin the Cardinals' active roster. St. Louis has used Nolan Gorman (six starts) and Thomas Saggese (two starts) at the hot corner since Arenado landed on the IL.

Wood went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Giants.

The young outfielder took Carson Whisenhunt deep for a solo shot in the first inning, the first of three Washington long balls on the afternoon. Wood snapped a 21-game power drought with the blast, a stretch in which he'd slashed a miserable .113/.211/.150 with a 42.2 percent strikeout rate. While that slump dragged his numbers down, on the season Wood still has 25 homers, 14 steals, 64 runs and 73 RBI in 114 contests with an .841 OPS.

Ferrer gave up two hits and struck out one over 1.2 scoreless innings to record his first save of the season in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Giants.

The southpaw notched the Nationals' first save since Kyle Finnegan was dealt at the trade deadline, firing 13 of 19 pitches for strikes. Ferrer didn't have it easy, either. Cole Henry worked the eighth inning but loaded the bases with one out, forcing Ferrer into the game early, and he escaped the jam by allowing only a sacrifice fly. Washington may not generate many save chances over the final weeks of the season, but Ferrer is the favorite to handle them, and over his last 12 appearances he's posted a 2.38 ERRA, 1.15 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 11.1 innings.

Lord (3-6) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over six innings in a 4-2 victory over the Giants. He struck out five.

It was the rookie right-hander's second career quality start, with the other coming back on May 6. Lord has been effective since shifting back into the rotation coming out of the All-Star break, and over his last four outings he's posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 20 innings while tossing at least 86 pitches in each of the last two. Now that he's fully stretched out, he could be a useful fantasy arm for the remainder of the season, but he's scheduled for a tough matchup in his next trip to the mound, at home next week against the Phillies.

Duran earned a save against the Rangers on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Duran entered in the ninth frame with the task of protecting a one-run lead. Texas couldn't get anything going against him, as the right-hander retired the side in order on 16 pitches. Duran has converted a save in each of his first three appearances since joining the Phillies via trade July 30, and he's yet to give up a run or a hit across three frames spanning three innings. Including his time earlier this season with Minnesota, Duran has recorded 19 saves in 21 chances while posting a superb 1.89 ERA and 55:18 K:BB across 52.2 frames.

Luzardo (11-5) earned the win over the Rangers on Saturday, allowing one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out four batters over six innings.

Luzardo gave up a run in the first frame but wasn't scored upon again in the outing. He notched a modest four punchouts but got key outs when needed and retired the final five batters he faced. Luzardo has picked up a quality start in each of his past three appearances, giving up just four runs across 19 innings during that span. The left-hander's victory Saturday was his 11th of the campaign, establishing a new career-high mark.

Marsee went 3-for-6 with a double, two walks, a run, an RBI and three stolen bases across both contests of a doubleheader against Atlanta on Saturday.

Marsee started in center field in the early game and went a quiet 1-for-4. He shifted over to left field for the nightcap and was much more productive, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances, including with an RBI double in the fourth inning. The speedy rookie also swiped three bags in the loss, more than doubling the amount (two) he logged through his first eight big-league contests. Marsee has made an immediate impact since being called up from Triple-A on Aug. 1, slashing .448/.568/.793 with a home run, five doubles, a triple, five steals, six runs and six RBI through 10 games.