MLB Player News

Kepler is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

After starting in the first two games of the series and going 1-for-7 at the plate between those contests, the left-handed-hitting Kepler will retreat to the bench for the finale while Chicago sends a lefty (Matthew Boyd) to the bump. Arizona will roll out a starting outfield of Ryan Waldschmidt, Jordan Lawlar and Corbin Carroll from left to right.

Moreno is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

James McCann will get the starting nod behind the plate while Moreno receives a breather for Wednesday's matinee. Moreno has been one of the top fantasy catchers this season, leading all qualified players at the position with a .303 average while also adding 10 home runs, 65 RBI, 56 runs and five stolen bases.

Lawlar (head) will start in center field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Lawlar made an early exit from Tuesday's 5-4 win after being struck in the head by a pitch, but his removal from the game was merely a precaution while he was put through concussion tests. Manager Torey Lovullo indicated after the game that Lawlar passed the concussion protocol, and with no symptoms surfacing overnight, the 24-year-old will be ready to play in the series finale. Since being reinstated Aug. 17 after an extended stay on the injured list due to a left hamstring strain, Lawlar has gone 4-for-21 (.190 average) with one home run, three RBI and three runs in seven games.

Smith (neck) went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Tuesday in a minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Smith logged his first game action since landing on the IL in early June due to a neck injury. The All-Star backstop went hitless in his first two plate appearances Tuesday before slugging a two-run homer to left field in the fifth inning. Smith caught five frames before exiting, hitting the target that was set for him going into the contest. He's expected to play a handful of additional games in the minors before potentially returning to the big-league club at the start of September.

Conforto is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

With lefty Eduardo Rodriguez on the bump for the Diamondbacks, the left-handed-hitting Conforto will retreat to the bench in the series finale. Conforto had made starts at designated hitter in each of the last three games and went 5-for-9 with two home runs and a double, but he could be in danger of moving out of his strong-side platoon role once Matt Shaw (hand) -- who is in the midst of a rehab assignment -- makes his return from the 10-day injured list.

Happ is out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Arizona.

The switch-hitting Happ is sporting just a .527 OPS and 34.6 percent strikeout rate this season against left-handed pitching, so he'll get a day off as the Diamondbacks send southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez to the hill. Tyrone Taylor will cover left field for the Cubs.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that Singer is dealing with soreness in his ribs as a result of a fielding play during Tuesday's loss to the Giants, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Singer sounds like he'll be OK, but the Reds will monitor how he feels while the hurler plays catch pregame Wednesday. The right-hander's next start is tentatively scheduled to come Monday at home against the Padres.

Lee was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Reds due to a bruised elbow, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Lee remains sore after being hit by a pitch in the elbow during Tuesday's win over the Reds. The outfielder is considered day-to-day. Grant McCray will step into the Giants' lineup in right field in Lee's place.

McCray will start in right field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Reds, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With southpaw Nick Lodolo toeing the rubber for the Reds, the left-handed-hitting McCray was initially excluded from the lineup, but he'll wind up starting Wednesday after Jung Hoo Lee (elbow) was a late scratch. After being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, McCray started in right field in the first two games of the series and went 2-for-7 with a double and a triple between those contests.

Fermin will start at catcher and will bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

The start for Fermin marks his fourth over the last six contests, as he may have inched back ahead of Luis Campusano in the Padres' catcher pecking order. Fermin is slashing .312/.323/.426 so far in the second half, though he's hit only one home run across 23 games.