MLB Player News

Wetherholt has been selected to represent the Cardinals in the All-Star Futures Game, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Wetherholt has been excellent at Double-A Springfield in his first full pro season, slashing .305/.430/.453 with five home runs, 13 stolen bases and a 35:41 K:BB. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Wetherholt dealt with hamstring issues in college at West Virginia, but he has stayed healthy in pro ball. The 22-year-old could be considered for a promotion to Triple-A Memphis soon.

Nootbaar (intercostal) was slated to take batting practice Monday to determine whether he'd be available to play Tuesday or require a longer absence, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar was given a pain-killing shot last week to combat a left intercostal issue and he hasn't played since aggravating the injury on a check swing in Saturday's game versus the Guardians. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol noted Monday before Nootbaar was slated to take batting practice that the outfielder "said it's feeling a little better." If it's determined Tuesday that Nootbaar isn't ready to play, the Cardinals could place him on the 10-day injured list. Brendan Donovan has been in left field and Thomas Saggese has handled second base the last two games with Nootbaar unavailable.

Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said Tuesday that Assad (oblique) is unlikely to return until August or September, 670 The Score reports.

Assad has been sidelined all season, having suffered a left oblique strain during spring training and then aggravating the injury during a rehab start in late April. Hawkins believes it's "reasonable" to think Assad can still contribute in 2025, but he doesn't expect the righty back before the trade deadline. Assad began playing catch in late May, but it's not clear where he's currently at in his throwing progression.

Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said Tuesday that Horton will have his workload monitored in the second half but does not have a specific innings limit this season, 670 The Score reports.

Horton has thrown 74 innings this season between the majors and minors, which is already 39.2 more than he threw all of last season and only 14.1 innings off his professional high. Expect the Cubs to take steps to manage the rookie right-hander's workload after the All-Star break, but it does not sound like Horton will be completely shut down at any point.

Fuentes' next start has been pushed back to Wednesday's series finale with the Angels, with Grant Holmes moving up a day to start Tuesday's contest, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Though Fuentes will still face the same opponent as a result of the late change in Atlanta's pitching schedule, he no longer lines up for a two-start week, as Holmes is now on track to take the hill for Sunday's series finale with the Orioles. Atlanta has its next off day coming Monday, so the club would have the option of pushing Fuentes to the back of its pitching schedule during the final week before the All-Star break. Fuentes is one of Atlanta's top pitching prospects, but he's had a rough go in his first two big-league starts, giving up 10 earned runs on 14 hits and one walk while striking out four across 8.1 innings in losses to the Marlins and Mets.

Hill (wrist) will be activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's contest versus the Twins, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Hill has been shelved for a little more than a month with a left wrist sprain but is ready to return after going 3-for-11 in three rehab contests. He is likely to share center-field duties with Dane Myers.

Holmes has been moved up a day to start Tuesday against the Angels, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Holmes is swapping spots in the pitching schedule with Didier Fuentes, who will now take the ball Wednesday. As a result of the change, Holmes is now set up for a two-start week, as he'll be in line to take the hill Sunday against the Orioles in Atlanta.

McLain went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 13-6 loss to Boston.

McLain has cooled off a bit since he was moved from the bottom of the order to second, but he's still hitting much better than he was through much of April and May. In the eight games since the promotion, McLain is batting .250 (8-for-32) with a home run, a double, four RBI and six runs scored. His .213 batting average is the highest its been since early April.

Marte (oblique) appeared in both ends of a doubleheader Sunday and went a combined 3-for-6 with a walk, a triple and two RBI for Double-A Chattanooga.

Rain washed out potential rehab games Friday and Saturday before Marte returned to the field. He served as the designated hitter in Sunday's opener and played third base in the nightcap. The rehab plan was for Marte to play five consecutive games for the Lookouts before he was to be re-evaluated, but the rain limited him to four contests. Chattanooga was off Monday and will begin a road trip Tuesday. It is unclear if the Reds will send Marte on the road or conduct the re-evaluation.

Groover was named to the All-Star Futures Game roster Monday, Connor Emery of Arizona Sports reports.

Groover, 23, returned to Double-A Amarillo to start the 2025 season and will likely take the next step to Triple-A Reno. He has a .301/.377/.471 line with 10 home runs and 36 RBI over 67 games for the Sod Poodles. There are questions about Groover's defense, but he's spent all season at third base. He could eventually swing to the cold corner where his defense and quickness won't get in the way of his bat.