MLB Player News

Chapman (hand) is expected to continue wearing his splint through the end of the week, but he is now participating in light conditioning and baseball activities, per MLB.com.

Chapman was placed on the injured list June 10 due to sprained ligaments in his right hand. The third baseman saw a hand specialist, and his X-rays came back negative. However, he could still end up being unavailable for at least the rest of June, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. Casey Schmitt is expected to continue starting at third base while Chapman is sidelined.

Gray won't pitch in Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox and instead lines up to start this weekend versus the Reds, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The veteran right-hander was presumed to start in the twin bill after his scheduled start Wednesday in Chicago was rained out, but St. Louis will instead turn to Erick Fedde and Michael McGreevy for the doubleheader. Gray surrendered six runs over 4.1 innings against the Brewers in his last start, but he had a 1.07 ERA and 30:2 K:BB in 25.1 innings across his four prior outings.

The Pirates recalled Suwinski from Triple-A Indianapolis to serve as their 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

Suwinski will provide the Pirates with some extra outfield depth for the twin bill while Bryan Reynolds (personal) is away from the team on paternity leave. Though he's not included in the lineup for the first game of the day while southpaw Tarik Skubal toes the rubber for Detroit, the left-handed-hitting Suwinski could enter the lineup for Game 2, when right-hander Keider Montero is expected to work in bulk relief behind an opener. The Pirates are likely to return Suwinski to Indianapolis following the doubleheader.

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.