MLB Player News

Megill's (elbow) bullpen session went well Thursday, and he is expected to be activated from the injured list by Sept. 16, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

This marked Megill's first time throwing off of a mound since he hit the injured list Aug. 27. There weren't many other details provided, as the assembled media members were called into manager Pat Murphy's office while Megill was throwing. Regardless, Megill should be back for the final couple weeks of the season, barring a setback.

The Dodgers optioned Freeland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The move comes in order to make room on the active roster for Ben Rortvedt, who was selected by the Dodgers on Thursday as Will Smith battles a hand injury. Alexis Diaz was also designated for assignment as part of the move. Freeland got the call at the end of July and slashed .190/.292/.310 across his first 97 plate appearances in the big leagues. The rookie infielder had been filling in for a multitude of Dodgers on the injured list, such as Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, Enrique Hernandez and Hyeseong Kim. With some of them nearing a return or having already returned, Freeland might not rejoin the Dodgers in 2025.

The Dodgers selected Rortvedt's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Will Smith is undergoing a CT scan on his right hand and is expected to be out for at least a few days, so Rortvedt will be up to provide catching depth behind Dalton Rushing. Rortvedt was acquired from the Rays at the trade deadline.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Ohtani's (illness) next start as a pitcher will come Monday at home against the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani was scratched from a scheduled outing Wednesday in Pittsburgh because he was under the weather, and he won't return to the bump until Monday. The 31-year-old will continue to hit until then, as he is in his usual designated hitter and leadoff spots for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Smith (hand) is undergoing a CT scan, and it's "probably unlikely" the catcher will play this weekend against the Orioles, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith had to be removed from Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh after a foul tip caught him in the right hand. He's not in Thursday's lineup and could require a stint on the 10-day injured list, pending results of the CT scan. Ben Rortvedt will be added to the roster as a third catcher, and Dalton Rushing will handle the bulk of the starts behind the plate while Smith is out.

Rodriguez was promoted from Single-A Palm Beach to High-A Peoria on Thursday.

Rodriguez has demolished Florida Complex League and Florida State League pitching thus far, slashing .275/.405/.567 with 20 home runs and a 63:54 K:BB over 80 games covering the two stops. The 18-year-old will now get his feet wet in the Midwest League before Peoria's season concludes Sunday. Rodriguez has established himself as one of the best young power-hitting prospects in baseball.

Smith (hand) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

Smith had to be removed from Wednesday's contest when his right hand was struck by a ball while he was catching. He avoided any broken bones, but he'll get a little more rest as he deals with a contusion. Dalton Rushing is catching and batting ninth in Thursday's series finale.

Cruz is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

Southpaw Blake Snell is on the bump for the Dodgers, marking the fifth straight game the left-handed-hitting Cruz has been out of the lineup versus a lefty (when healthy). The 26-year-old is slashing a woeful .106/.212/.183 with a 36.4 percent strikeout rate against left-handed pitching this season, so he now appears to find himself in a platoon. Alexander Canario will be in center field and bat seventh for the Pirates on Thursday.

Frelick isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies.

Although he usually remains in the lineup against southpaws, Frelick will get a chance to rest his legs while the Brewers face Ranger Suarez in Thursday's series finale. Jackson Chourio, Blake Perkins and Isaac Collins will start across the outfield with Frelick out.

Turang isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Philadelphia.

Turang doesn't typically bow out of the lineup whenever the Brewers face a lefty, but the team will use Thursday's matchup against Ranger Suarez as an opportunity to get the white-hot Turang a day to rest. Andruw Monasterio will fill in at the keystone and bat seventh.