MLB Player News

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Verlander is dealing with a slight pectoral issue, but he is optimistic the pitcher will make his next scheduled start Saturday versus the Nationals, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Verlander revealed after displaying reduced velocity in Sunday's start against the Athletics that he was affected by a physical issue, and now Melvin has offered more specifics on the nature of the injury. The 42-year-old hurler will presumably need to get through a between-starts throwing session before being cleared for Saturday, but at the moment the Giants don't expect Verlander to miss his next turn.

Pages is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

In Teoscar Hernandez's (adductor) first game back from the 10-day injured list, the Dodgers will go with Michael Conforto, Hyeseong Kim and Hernandez in the outfield. Pages hadn't had a day off in a month, so he could simply be receiving some routine rest Monday rather than being ticketed for a steep reduction in playing time with Hernandez back in the fold. Pages has slashed .356/.375/.634 with seven home runs over his last 24 contests.

Condon (wrist) has gone 7-for-24 with one steal and three RBI across eight games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Condon suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist during spring training in March, which resulted in the Rockies opting not to assign him to an affiliate to begin the season. He debuted with the rookie-ball club May 5 and should soon report to High-A Spokane once he gets some more at-bats under his belt.

Knack will be used in bulk relief Monday versus the Diamondbacks, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Jack Dreyer is slated to serve as an opener before turning things over to Knack. The 27-year-old Knack allowed five runs over 4.2 innings against the Athletics his last time out but struck out eight while walking only one.

Dreyer will serve as the opening pitcher in Monday's tilt versus the Diamondbacks, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Dreyer has thrown as many as three innings in an appearance this season and went two frames his last time out versus the Angels, so he could offer more length than your typical opener. Landon Knack is slated to eat the bulk of the innings as the Dodgers' primary pitcher in the series opener.

Bailey is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Royals.

It's the second straight day and the fourth time over the last eight contests that Bailey has yielded to Sam Huff at catcher. Bailey did deliver a game-tying, pinch-hit single in the eighth inning Sunday against the Athletics, so there does not appear to be anything wrong with him physically. The switch-hitting backstop has had a dreadful season at the plate, sporting a .489 OPS with a 31.8 percent strikeout rate.

The Giants designated Villar for assignment Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The move frees a spot on the active roster for the return of Casey Schmitt (oblique) from the 10-day injured list. Villar has been outrighted off the 40-man roster previously, so if he clears waivers again, he would have the ability to elect free agency.

The Giants activated Schmitt (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Schmitt will start at first base and bat sixth Monday against the Royals. He missed the past month with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Schmitt is capable of playing all four infield spots and will likely serve as a short-side platoon player for the Giants now that he's healthy again.

Ortiz is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Orioles.

Ortiz's season-long slump at the plate (he's hitting just .170/.223/.218 in 45 games) is finally starting to cost him some playing time, as this is the third time he's been out of the lineup across the last seven contests. Prior to that, he had been out of the batting order just once all season. Andruw Monasterio will step in at shortstop again in Ortiz's place Monday.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Happ (oblique) will be activated from the 10-day injured list during the team's series in Miami that runs through Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Happ is eligible for activation Tuesday and presumably will return that day. Moises Ballesteros is off to a 1-for-12 start at the plate, and it seems likely that he will be sent back to Triple-A Iowa to clear a spot on the active roster for Happ. The return of Happ would result in with Seiya Suzuki moving from left field back to the designated-hitter spot.