MLB Player News

Adams will start at catcher and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Adams will be making just his 10th start of the season while top backstop Keibert Ruiz receives a rare day off. The lack of consistent playing time could be a factor in Adams' lackluster production at the dish; he heads into Wednesday's game with a .135/.135/.324 slash line and a 45.9 percent strikeout rate over 37 plate appearances.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The Nationals will give Ruiz a breather after he had started behind the plate in each of the last three games. Riley Adams will handle the catching duties Wednesday.

The Phillies recalled Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in Toronto.

Zack Wheeler (personal) was placed on the paternity list in a corresponding move, but Abel will be taking over the rotation spot that had previously been occupied by Taijuan Walker, who has been moved to a relief role. Walker had been filling in for Aaron Nola (ankle), who has resumed throwing off a mound and should eventually take the rotation spot back from Abel once he's activated from the 15-day injured list. Nola will likely need to make a rehab start in the minors before being reinstated, so Abel should be in good position to get at least two turns through the rotation while he's up with the big club. The 23-year-old righty was highly impressive in his MLB debut back on May 18 against the Pirates, covering six shutout innings and scattering five hits while striking out nine batters.

The Phillies placed Wheeler (personal) on the paternity list Wednesday.

Wheeler didn't travel to Toronto for the three-game series versus the Blue Jays this week while awaiting the birth of his child, but the Phillies waited until Wednesday before officially deactivating him. In a corresponding move, the Phillies recalled right-hander Mick Abel from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and he'll start Wednesday's game. Per MLB rules, Wheeler will have to miss between one and three games while on the paternity list, so the expectation is that he'll be activated to make a start at some point during this weekend's series in Pittsburgh.

Bivens (1-2) was tagged with the loss in Tuesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Padres, allowing one unearned run on two hits over one inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Bivens threw 13 of his 15 pitches for strikes but surrendered two singles, and the automatic runner came around to score in the 10th. The right-hander has been charged with three runs (two earned) over his last five appearances, during which he has posted a 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and three strikeouts over 8.2 innings. Overall, the 30-year-old owns a 3.10 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and an 18:8 K:BB across 29 innings in 18 appearances.

Chapman went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in Tuesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to San Diego.

Chapman lined a double into left field during the third inning and has now recorded at least one hit in seven of his last 10 games. During that span, the third baseman is slashing .324/.439/.500 with three runs scored, three doubles, one home run and a 6:6 BB:K across 41 plate appearances. The 32-year-old is now slashing .236/.357/.425 with 30 runs scored, 26 RBI, 10 home runs, 10 doubles, five stolen bases and a team-high 39 walks over 252 plate appearances this season.

Bailey went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored in Tuesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Padres.

The 26-year-old doubled in the third inning before coming around to score on a two-run homer by Heliot Ramos. Bailey has recorded at least one hit in four straight games, slashing .357/.438/.500 with two doubles, two runs scored and a 2:4 BB:K across 16 plate appearances in that span. Overall, he's slashing .191/.254/.276 with 17 runs scored, 15 RBI, 10 extra-base hits -- including one home run -- and a 14:54 BB:K over 170 plate appearances.

Encarnacion started in right field and went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Padres.

Encarnacion drew the starting nod for the first time since returning from surgery to repair a fractured left hand that he sustained in mid-March. The 27-year-old made an appearance in Monday's loss to San Diego as well, replacing Mike Yastrzemski in right field and going 0-for-3. Encarnacion could also see playing time at first base or designated hitter if Wilmer Flores shifts to first, as LaMonte Wade was designated for assignment Wednesday.

The Giants selected Knizner's contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Knizner inked a minor-league deal a couple weeks ago and has been added to the big-league roster after going 11-for-30 in eight games with Sacramento. He'll take over backup catcher duties behind Patrick Bailey.

The Giants selected Johnson's contract from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Johnson had signed a minor-league deal just over a month ago and is receiving a promotion after slashing .272/.312/.534 with six homers in 26 contests with Sacramento. He is likely to serve as a reserve outfielder.