MLB Player News

Williams (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Monday and will face hitters again Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Williams does not anticipate needing a rehab assignment, so he could be activated from the 15-day injured list as soon as this weekend if things go well Thursday. He's been sidelined for a little over a month with a right shoulder strain. Kodai Senga has taken over the Mets' closer job and pitched well, so it's not a given that Williams will see save chances down the stretch if/when he's reinstated.

Rojas (shoulder) will start at second base and bat sixth in Monday's contest versus the Reds.

Rojas aggravated an old right shoulder injury on a dive during Sunday's game against the Marlins. However, he is back in action a day later and will attempt to play through the issue.

Bachar will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game versus the Brewers, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bachar will draw his sixth start since he landed in Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. He's covered at least 1.2 innings and as much as three frames in his first five opener assignments for the Pirates, so a multi-inning effort Tuesday is likely. Antwone Kelly, Brandon Eisert and Khristian Curtis could all be candidates to cover multiple frames once Bachar exits the game.

McLain (shoulder) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers.

McLain landed hard on his left shoulder on a diving attempt during Friday's game versus the Brewers, and he will now miss a third straight start. It's the same shoulder he had surgery on in the spring of 2024, and McLain noted over the weekend that he'll feel soreness in the shoulder occasionally on dives, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. He's considered day-to-day. Juan Brito will handle second base for the Reds on Monday.

The Padres optioned McCoy to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

He's clearing off the roster to make room for the return of Ty France from paternity leave. McCoy was in the majors for only a few days and did not see any action.

The Padres activated France from the paternity leave list Monday.

France was away for the entirety of the Padres' series in San Francisco this past weekend, but he will be back in action Monday as the Padres open a series in Colorado. The veteran first baseman is sporting a healthy .294/.363/.510 batting line with 20 home runs in 120 contests this season for San Diego.

Knizner went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Padres.

Knizner hit a two-run shot off Nick Pivetta in the second inning, getting the Giants on the scoreboard. Knizner has recorded an extra-base hit in each of his last two appearances but is batting just .105 with two runs scored, a home run and a double across 20 plate appearances in September. Overall, he's slashing .174/.240/.370 with five runs scored, three RBI and two long balls in 50 plate appearances this season.

Bubic (shoulder) will join the Dodgers in Cincinnati on Monday but will not be activated from the 60-day injured list immediately, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Bubic completed his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, and he wound up tossing 5.2 shutout frames with a 9:2 K:BB in six rehab outings. He will rest a bit before being activated as soon as Wednesday. Acquired from the Royals at the trade deadline, Bubic hasn't pitched in the majors since mid-May, first due to an elbow injury and later because of a shoulder problem. When Bubic does return, he'll be used in a relief role by the Dodgers.

Jordan (ankle) has progressed to jogging and fielding grounders, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Jordan recently ditched the walking boot he'd been wearing on his sprained left ankle, and he's aiming to advance to sprinting soon. The rookie infielder said Sunday that he's "really pushing everything I can do to get back out there," and he's got a chance to make it back later this month if he continues on his current trajectory.

Willits went 4-for-6 with a double, a home run, a second run scored, three RBI and two stolen bases for Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday.

Per Brendan Samson of MLB.com, Willits became the youngest player to collect a hit this season at Double-A when he singled Thursday, and his long ball Saturday made him only the eighth 18-year-old over the last two decades to homer at the level -- a list that includes Bryce Harper and Fernando Tatis, as well as current top prospects Jesus Made of the Brewers, Leo De Vries (shoulder) of the A's and Sebastian Walcott of the Rangers. Willits sports a .265/.406/.463 slash line in 114 games across three levels of the minors this season with 14 home runs and 62 steals, and while the Nationals won't rush him, his elite package of skills, athleticism and baseball IQ could land him in the majors sometime next summer.