MLB Player News

Cruz is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

Cruz had been scheduled to sit out Wednesday against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, but that contest was ultimately postponed due to inclement weather. With Skubal now set to take the hill for the first game of Thursday's twin bill, Cruz will hit the bench, but he'll likely return to the starting nine for the second contest of the day.

Acuna went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's win over the Mets.

The superstar right fielder led off the bottom of the first inning by taking Paul Blackburn deep, giving Chris Sale all the support he would need in a 5-0 win. Acuna has hit safely in eight straight games, batting a gobsmacking .577 (15-for-26) over that stretch with a double, four homers, a steal, seven RBI and 11 runs.

McGreevy is "highly likely" to be recalled from Triple-A Memphis to make another spot start next week, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The Cardinals are looking to give their regular rotation members extra rest during a stretch with limited off days. McGreevy will start the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox, but because he is serving as the 27th man, he will be eligible to be recalled to make another start as soon as June 24 versus the Cubs. The rookie right-hander has made one start and one relief appearance for St. Louis this season, allowing four runs with a 10:1 K:BB over 11.2 innings.

Law (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday at Double-A Harrisburg.

Law has been on the shelf all season while recovering from right forearm inflammation and is likely to require several appearances in the minors before the Nationals activate him from the 15-day injured list. The 34-year-old righty was a key piece in the Washington bullpen in 2024, collecting seven wins, 17 holds and one save while logging a 2.60 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 90 innings over 75 appearances.

Ekness has a 1.48 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 34:8 K:BB and zero homers allowed through 24.1 innings for Double-A Pensacola this season.

Selected in the 12th round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Houston, Ekness could be a future high-leverage bullpen arm for the Marlins as he features a fastball that can touch triple digits and a potentially plus slider that he's still learning to command. After posting an 11.1 percent walk rate at High-A Beloit in 2024, Ekness has cut that mark to 7.6 percent with Pensacola this year, and the 23-year-old right-hander seems likely to get a promotion to Triple-A over the summer.

Freeman is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Freeman had started each of the previous six tilts, but he will begin the series finale on the bench. Brenton Doyle will get a start at designated hitter, and Mickey Moniak will start in right field as the Rockies go for the sweep.

Estrada (hand) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Nationals.

Estrada will miss a second straight start after exiting Tuesday's 10-6 win when he was hit by a pitch on the right hand. He will be hoping to return to the lineup when the Rockies return home Friday to begin a series against the Diamondbacks. Orlando Arcia will handle second base and bat eighth Thursday.

Hays (foot) resumed a running progression Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Hays was shut down from running last week due to lingering soreness in his injured left foot. He's ready to ramp back up again, but the Reds will bring him along more slowly this time. Hays has been shelved since late May with a bone bruise in his foot.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that Marte (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Marte has been hitting without issue in recent days and was cleared to play in rehab games after an MRI on his left oblique came back clean. The young infielder has been sidelined since early May but should be ready for activation from the 10-day injured list following a handful of rehab contests. Marte has slashed .294/.342/.515 this season and could step back in as the Reds' primary third baseman upon his return.

Fraley is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

The Reds typically hold the left-handed-hitting Fraley out of the lineup against southpaws, but after starting in each of the last four contests, the veteran outfielder will hit the bench while a righty (Chris Paddack) takes the mound for the Twins. Fraley will give up his spot in the lineup to Santiago Espinal, who starts at third base while Christian Encarnacion-Strand shifts across the diamond to first base and Spencer Steer picks up a start in the corner outfield.