MLB Player News

Merrill (concussion) was activated from the 7-day injured list and will start in center field and bat second Sunday against the Royals.

The 22-year-old landed on the shelf with a concussion last Sunday and is back on the active roster after missing the minimum amount of time. Merrill was struggling at the plate in June prior to the injury with a .260/.321/.380 slash line and a 28.6 percent strikeout rate in 13 games.

The Reds optioned Petty to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

After he was recalled from Triple-A on Saturday, Petty had initially been expected to get a start. Instead Brent Suter opened the game, and Petty didn't get called upon until the bottom of the 11th after seven other pitchers had been used. He ended up taking his third loss of the season, recording two outs before surrendering a game-winning hit to Yohel Pozo. The Reds sent Petty back to the minors to remain stretched out as a starter and recalled Yosver Zulueta to replace him in the bullpen.

The Reds recalled Zulueta from Triple-A Louisville prior to Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

In a corresponding move, Cincinnati optioned Chase Petty to Triple-A to open up a spot for a fresh bullpen arm. Zulueta previously spent five days with the big club back in May. Since he was optioned to Louisville, he's pitched to a 5.06 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB in 16 innings over 13 appearances.

Gurriel is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Gurriel made 18 consecutive starts but has a .599 OPS over his past six games and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale in Colorado. Tim Tawa will instead start in left field and bat seventh for the Diamondbacks.

Marte is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Marte started the previous 20 games after missing some time in late May due to an illness, but he'll take a seat Sunday after going 10-for-15 with five doubles and a home run in the past three contests. Ildemaro Vargas will step in at the keystone and bat second in the series finale for Arizona.

Goodman is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Goodman will sit Sunday after going 3-for-12 with two walks, a double and two RBI while starting in each of the previous three contests. Braxton Fulford will step in behind the plate and bat eighth in the series finale versus Arizona.

Barrero will start in center field and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Reds.

Barrero will draw his eighth start of the season, replacing a resting Victor Scott. With Scott struggling to a .498 OPS over 80 plate appearances versus left-handed pitching this season, Barrero could end up carving out a short-side platoon role in center field.

Nootbaar is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Nootbaar had started each of the Cardinals' last five contests, going 5-for-18 with a home run, a double, three RBI, two runs and a 4:5 BB:K. Though the lefty hitter appears to have settled back into a groove at the plate, he'll still get held out against select southpaws. Nootbaar will give up his spot in the outfield to Jordan Walker on Sunday with Andrew Abbott on the hill.

Scott is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Scott owns a .498 OPS over 80 plate appearances versus southpaws this season, and the Cardinals are shielding him from those matchups. He'll take a seat Sunday against southpaw Andrew Abbott, paving the way for Jose Barrero to pick up a start in center field.

Musgrove (elbow) progressed to throwing from 105 feet early in the week, per MLB.com.

Musgrove continues to make steady progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The veteran hurler has been playing catch three times a week since early April and has been traveling with the Padres. Musgrove isn't expected to pitch this season, but he should be good to go next spring.