MLB Player News

Amaya is not in the Cubs' starting lineup against the Mariners on Friday.

Amaya will get a breather for Friday's series opener while Carson Kelly starts behind home plate and bats ninth while forming a battery with southpaw Matthew Boyd. Amaya has gone 5-for-25 with two home runs and four RBI across 10 games in August.

Valdez is not in the Pirates' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Friday.

Valdez will take a seat following a three-game stretch in which he went 0-for-12 with eight strikeouts, one walk and one run scored. Jake Mangum will start in right field and bat eighth in Friday's series opener.

The Cubs designated Miller for assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The move corresponds with the Cubs activating Daniel Palencia from the 60-day injured list. Miller's lone appearance in the majors came Monday against the White Sox, when he was brought in as a defensive substitute. He may stay within the Cubs' organization in Triple-A Iowa if he clears waivers.

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The move opens up a spot on the Cubs' active roster for Daniel Palencia, who was activated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Assad was promoted to the Cubs' bullpen on Monday and worked in long-relief against the White Sox on Tuesday, when he allowed two hits while striking out two batters across three scoreless frames. He's started in all five of his outings in Triple-A, where he has a 7.31 ERA and 2.06 WHIP across 16 innings this season.

The Cubs activated Palencia (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Palencia has been officially cleared to return from a nearly two-month absence due to a right elbow flexor strain, and he'll be available out of the bullpen for Friday's game against the Mariners. Palencia was the Cubs' closer prior to his injury, but he may be restricted to high-leverage situations in his return given how well Jacob Webb has pitched in save opportunities. In corresponding moves, Owen Miller was designated for assignment and Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Smith (neck) participated in live batting practice Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It's an encouraging sign in Smith's recovery from a neck injury, given that Friday was the first time he faced live pitching since June. There's optimism that the veteran catcher will be cleared to embark on a rehab assignment next week, putting him on track to be back with the Dodgers before the end of the regular season.

Feduccia (illness) is starting behind home plate and batting ninth against the Pirates on Friday.

Feduccia missed Wednesday's game against Colorado due to an illness, but he's recovered enough to return to action for Friday's series opener. He's gone 6-for-27 (.222) with a solo home run and three additional runs scored across 14 games in August.

Klein said Friday that he's largely symptom-free from the loose elbows in his right elbow, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Klein landed on the IL on Aug. 1 due to bone chips in his right elbow. Anti-inflammatory medication and rest have helped in the right-hander's recovery, and the next step in his rehab would be to start a throwing progression. The Dodgers will have a better sense of Klein's recovery timeline and whether he'll be able to return this season once he starts throwing again.

Stephenson is not in the Reds' starting lineup against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Stephenson will get a breather following a three-day stretch in which he went 0-for-11 with one RBI, one walk and seven strikeouts. Jose Trevino will start behind home plate and bat seventh.

Gage (elbow) will start his rehab assignment this weekend, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's unclear which minor-league level Gage will start his rehab assignment at. Regardless, it's a positive step in his recovery from a left elbow strain that landed him on the injured list in early July. Given the nature of Gage's injury, the 33-year-old southpaw will likely need a few outings in the minors before being cleared to return to the Giants' bullpen.