MLB Player News

Kepler (shin) will start in left field and bat sixth Friday against the Padres.

Kepler had to make an early exit from Wednesday's contest due to a bruised right shin, but after using the Phillies' day off Thursday to recover, the 32-year-old outfielder will remain in the starting nine.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

Maldonado has not caught more than two games in a row this season, and after catching back-to-back games, Maldonado will yield to Elias Diaz behind the plate Friday. Maldonado has four home runs and a .512 OPS in 138 plate appearances during 2025.

The Padres optioned Nunez to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

After giving up two earned runs over 4.2 innings during his first nine days as a major leaguer, Nunez will head back to Triple-A to clear room for Ryan Bergert's (forearm) return from the IL. The 26-year-old Nunez also owns a 2.40 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 30 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season, and if he continues at that rate, he should be able to make another appearance for the Padres at some point down the line.

Brooks is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

Brooks is out of the lineup for a third consecutive game, leaving DH duties to Xander Bogaerts on Friday. Brooks is slashing .152/.176/.303 with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate in 34 plate appearances this season.

Bergert (forearm) was reinstated from the injured list ahead of his start Friday against the Phillies.

A forearm bruise caused by a comebacker forced Bergert onto the IL toward the end of June, but he'll now return after close to a minimum-length stay. The 25-year-old rookie has performed well in the big leagues this season to the tune of a 2.67 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, but he'll be welcomed back from injury by a Phillies offense that owns an .809 OPS since the start of July. Eduarniel Nunez was optioned to Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move.

Flores is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Flores will get the night off Friday, ceding first base duties to Dominic Smith. Flores has a hit in eight of his last nine starts, going 9-for-31 (.290) during that stretch.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Graveman (hip) will be activated from the injured list, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Graveman has been on the shelf since June 9 due to a right hip impingement and began a rehab assignment earlier this week. He threw a scoreless inning with the Diamondbacks' rookie-level Arizona Complex League squad Tuesday. Jalen Beeks (back) is headed to the injured list in a corresponding move.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Beeks will be placed on the injured list due to lower back inflammation, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Beeks hasn't pitched since July 6, and it's unclear when the injury popped up. The left-hander was expected to be in the mix for save opportunities while Shelby Miller (forearm) is on the shelf. However, it seems as though Kevin Ginkel will hold down closer duties. Kendall Graveman (hip) is expected to be activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Young is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The absence ends a run of 22 straight starts for Young, who posted a .219/.287/.260 slash line with just three extra-base hits during that stretch. Alex Call is starting in center field and batting fifth Friday for Washington.

Ozuna isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Ozuna will grab a seat on the bench for Friday's series opener after going 2-for-11 with a home run in three games against the A's. Sean Murphy will fill in as Atlanta's designated hitter and bat fourth.