MLB Player News

Kemp is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Kemp started the previous four games and will receive a day off after going 3-for-15 with two homers during that span. Edmundo Sosa will take over at the hot corner Friday for Philadelphia.

Kepler (triceps) is starting in left field and batting seventh Friday against the Tigers, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Kepler was scratched from the lineup Wednesday due to triceps soreness, but he's back in action following Thursday's team off day. The veteran outfielder scuffled to a .580 OPS over 18 games in July, and he could see his playing time take a hit if the struggles continue after the Phillies acquired Harrison Bader on Thursday.

The Brewers placed Chourio on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to July 30, due to a right hamstring strain.

Chourio's injury was initially announced as a hamstring spasm after he departed Tuesday's win against the Cubs, but he's since been diagnosed with a strain. GM Matt Arnold said Thursday that the move is a precautionary measure, so it seems the 21-year-old outfielder will have a chance to return when first eligible Aug. 9. Trade acquisition Brandon Lockridge was added to the active roster in a corresponding move, though it'll likely be Blake Perkins that operates as Milwaukee's primary center fielder due to Chourio being sidelined.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak indicated Thursday that Romero is the top candidate to take over the team's closer role following the trade of Ryan Helsley, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Manager Oliver Marmol has the ultimate say, and it's possible he'll have a difference of opinion than Mozeliak, but Romero is the most logical candidate to see save chances after the departure of Helsley and Phil Maton. Romero has been the club's top left-handed setup man for most of the season and has permitted only one earned run with a 28:8 K:BB over 25 innings since the start of May. Riley O'Brien and Kyle Leahy could be the top options from the right side for save opportunities if Marmol wants to play matchups.

Gorman (back) is expected to be activated off the 10-day injured list Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old went 3-for-13 with a double and a homer during his three-game rehab assignment, clearing the way for him to rejoin the Cardinals after recovering from lower-back pain. Gorman could be a regular presence in the lineup since the corresponding transaction will be Nolan Arenado (shoulder) heading to the IL.

The Cardinals are expected to place Arenado on the 10-day injured list prior to Friday's game against the Padres due to a right shoulder injury, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The veteran third baseman played through the injury for most of July, which may have affected him at the plate as he had a .175/.230/.211 slash line in 17 games during the month. Arenado will be eligible for reinstatement August 10 but is without an official timeline for his return.

Happ (shin) is starting in left field and batting seventh Friday against the Orioles.

The outfielder was held out of the lineup Wednesday against the Brewers due to a bruised left shin, though he still appeared as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-2 with a solo homer. Happ has a .231/.318/.513 slash line with three homers and a stolen base in 12 games since the All-Star break.

Hassell was scratched from the lineup with Triple-A Rochester on Thursday and figures to be promoted to the majors Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The Nationals have a hole in the outfield with Alex Call having been shipped to the Dodgers at the trade deadline, and Hassell appears to be in line to fill it. The 23-year-old struggled in his first taste of the majors earlier this season, but since returning to Rochester in mid-June he's been on a tear, slashing .336/.435/.519 over 33 games with six homers, seven steals and a 23:23 BB:K. Hassell figures to handle starting duties in right field until Dylan Crews (oblique) returns from the IL.

Brzykcy might be part of the ninth-inning mix for the Nationals with Kyle Finnegan having been traded to the Tigers, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 26-year-old right-hander's numbers in 2025 jump off the page in a bad way, as he carries a 7.06 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB over 21.2 innings. Brzykcy does have a 46.3 percent whiff rate on his changeup to go along with a mid-90s fastball and effective curve, and that might be the closest thing to a true out pitch in the Washington bullpen at the moment. He's a long shot to claim the closer role outright, but Brzykcy could be part of a ninth-inning committee with lefty Jose Ferrer and righty Cole Henry.

Henry could be part of the ninth-inning mix for the Nationals with Kyle Finnegan having been traded to the Tigers, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

The 26-year-old rookie right-hander hasn't been particularly impressive this season, leaning on his mid-90s four-seam fastball and low-80s curve to post a 3.96 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 37:20 K:BB over 38.2 innings. No one in Washington's big-league 'pen has closer-worthy numbers though, so Henry might get a shot as part of a ninth-inning committee with lefty Jose Ferrer and righty Zach Brzykcy.