MLB Player News

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Maldonado will take a seat for the series finale after he had started behind the plate in three of the Friars' previous four games, including Saturday's 8-7 loss. Elias Diaz will form a battery with starting pitcher Nick Pivetta on Sunday.

DeSclafani signed a major-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

The right-hander recently opted out of his minor-league deal with the Yankees and was able to quickly secure a big-league contract. DeSclafani last pitched in the majors in 2023 with the Giants and had a 4.88 ERA across 99.2 innings. He posted similar numbers in five starts at Triple-A with the Yankees, finishing with a 4.50 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB over 20 innings. Expect the 35-year-old to work out of the bullpen as a multi-inning relief option to begin his time with Arizona.

The Padres placed Merrill (concussion) on the 7-day injured list Sunday.

Merrill will be out for at least the next week after he was diagnosed with the concussion upon taking a hard tag to the head in Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Diamondbacks. The Padres called up first baseman/outfielder Trenton Brooks from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move, but Tyler Wade and Brandon Lockridge are the most likely candidates to fill in for Merrill in center field in the short term. A return date for Merrill should begin to come into focus once he makes enough progress in his recovery from the concussion to resume baseball activities.

The Padres selected Brooks' contract from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Brooks logged 29 plate appearances in the majors with the Giants in 2024, but he was outrighted off the 40-man roster last July and elected free agency before catching on with the Padres on a minor-league deal. The 29-year-old has been a mainstay in the lineup at El Paso this season and will earn a look with the big club after slashing .313/.415/.585 with 13 home runs and 53 RBI over 265 plate appearances. Brooks isn't included in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, but he could be an option for the Padres in left field or at first base and designated hitter against right-handed pitching while Jackson Merrill (concussion) and Jason Heyward (oblique) are on the injured list.

Moreno is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Moreno went 1-for-8 with a run scored while starting the first two games of the series versus San Diego, and he'll head to the bench for Sunday's finale. Jose Herrera will take over behind the plate and bat ninth against righty Nick Pivetta.

The Padres are expected to place Merrill on the 7-day injured list Sunday due to a concussion, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 22-year-old suffered the head injury Saturday when he was tagged in the head on an attempted steal, and he'll be unavailable for at least the next week as he enters the concussion protocol. Brandon Lockridge will start in center field Sunday and should see a boost in playing time, along with Tyler Wade, while Merrill is sidelined.

Merrill (head) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Merrill departed Saturday's contest with an apparent head injury after being tagged in the head on a steal attempt, and he'll miss at least one start. It's unclear if the center fielder is in the concussion protocol, though manager Mike Shildt said Merrill was feeling "woozy" after Saturday's game, according to 93.7 The Fan.

Davis is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Davis will get a rest after going 1-for-6 with a double, a walk and a run over the prior two games. Brett Sullivan will handle catching duties.

McCutchen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

McCutchen will get a chance to catch his breath after starting eight straight games. Alexander Canario will pick up a start in right field while Bryan Reynolds occupies McCutchen's usual spot at designated hitter.

Shaw is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Jon Berti will fill in at third base while Shaw heads to the bench for the first time since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa on May 19. The rookie's second go-around in the majors has been far more successful than his first, and despite going 0-for-13 over his last four starts, Shaw is still batting .264 with one home run and seven stolen bases since rejoining the big club.