MLB Player News

Kepler isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Kepler will take a day to regroup Saturday after going just 1-for-14 with three walks and five strikeouts in five games since the beginning of August. Lars Nootbaar will start in left field while Kepler rests, moving Gabriel Moreno into the DH spot and giving James McCann a start behind the plate.

Hamilton isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins.

Hamilton will grab a seat on the bench Saturday after going 4-for-16 with three walks, three runs and a steal through the first week of August. Joey Ortiz will fill the void at third base and bat ninth.

Benge (wrist) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Benge made an early exit from Friday's game after jamming his left wrist while making a sliding catch, and although all imaging done on his wrist came back negative, the Mets will keep him on the bench Saturday -- and possibly for a few additional games -- while he manages a bone bruise. Brett Baty will start in right field and bat sixth.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Washington.

Stephenson will take a seat on the bench Saturday after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout to open the series Friday. Jose Trevino will fill in as Cincinnati's catcher and bat seventh.

The Rockies reinstated Castano (pectoral) from the injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Castano has been on the injured list since late June due to a pectoral strain. He began playing in rehab games last Saturday and has since allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings. Now fully healthy, the 27-year-old will remain in Triple-A for the time being but could return to the majors later in the year as bullpen depth.

The Cubs optioned Garrett to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Garrett was called up from Iowa on Thursday, but he'll now be sent back down to Triple-A without making an appearance for the Cubs. His roster spot will be filled by Clay Holmes (fibula), who returns from the injured list to start Saturday's game against Kansas City.

The Cubs reinstated Holmes (fibula) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against the Royals, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Holmes has been on the shelf since May due to a fractured fibula. He made three rehab starts in the minors while he was still in the Mets organization, logging a 3.86 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 11.2 innings. He built up to 73 pitches during his final rehab outing, so he isn't likely to have a significant workload restriction while he makes his Cubs debut against a Royals offense that's posted just a .688 OPS since the All-Star break. Braxton Garrett was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Mets optioned Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Wagaman will depart the big-league roster to free up space for Gabriel Arias, who was claimed off waivers from Cleveland on Friday. Wagaman, 28, has put up a .610 OPS in 47 major-league plate appearances this season and is likely to spend most of what's left of the season in the minors.

The Cardinals designated Velazquez for assignment Saturday.

Velazquez will be jettisoned off the 40-man roster to free up space for Everson Pereira, who was claimed off waivers from the White Sox on Friday. Velazquez could draw attention from other teams on waivers after slashing .216/.289/.432 over 83 plate appearances with St. Louis.

The Brewers selected Richardson's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Since signing a minor-league deal with Milwaukee in June, Richardson has turned in a 4.20 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 30 innings with Nashville. Although his Triple-A numbers weren't anything special, the Brewers will add him to their bullpen to give them another fresh arm to work with. Bryse Wilson was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.