MLB Player News

The Padres scratched Merrill from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies due to an illness, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Tyler Wade will enter the lineup in center field after Merrill had started four straight games following his return from the injured list Tuesday. The 22-year-old has avoided any setbacks with the strained right hamstring that kept him on the shelf for a month, but he'll have to shake off this illness ahead of the Padres' series opener Monday against the Angels.

Cruz (back) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Cruz exited late in Saturday's 3-2 loss after appearing to tweak his back, which will keep him out of the starting nine for at least one game. Alexander Canario will shift to center field while Tommy Pham starts in left with Cruz sitting out.

Happ (oblique) played catch and took swings prior to Sunday's game and could return to the lineup as soon as Monday against the Marlins, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Happ is on the bench Sunday for the second day in a row due to oblique discomfort, but his ability to take part in on-field work suggests his injury is minor. He'll be re-evaluated when the Cubs return home Monday before a decision is made on his availability.

Myers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Myers has settled in as the Marlins' primary center fielder, slashing .308/.379/.462 with a home run, three walks, four stolen bases, four RBI and four runs while starting eight straight games prior to Sunday. Kyle Stowers will fill in for him. Derek Hill (wrist) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list this week, but Myers' stellar performance of late should give him some job security.

Collins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

After Garrett Mitchell (oblique) landed on the injured list April 26, Collins has taken on a more regular role in the outfield and has produced a .782 OPS since that time. However, his grasp on an everyday gig could be slipping, as Collins now finds himself on the bench versus a right-handed pitcher (Drew Rasmussen) for the second time in the series. Jake Bauers will pick up another start in left field at Collins' expense.

Contreras will start at catcher and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Rays.

Though he sat out Wednesday's 9-1 loss to Houston, Contreras confirmed that he planned to continue playing through a fractured middle finger on his catching hand. The two-time All-Star caught eight innings Friday and nine more Saturday while going 1-for-7 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. Even with the Brewers playing a day game Sunday, Contreras won't be deployed as a designated hitter and will remain behind the plate, a sign the coaching and training staffs are comfortable with his health.

The Brewers recalled Peguero from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Milwaukee sent starter Tobias Myers to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Peguero was a staple of the Milwaukee bullpen in 2024, but the 28-year-old righty posted a 5.68 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in five appearances to begin the season before being optioned to Nashville on April 11. The right-hander has performed better over the past month at Triple-A, giving up two earned runs on six hits and four walks over eight innings across seven appearances.

Caminiti (forearm) struck out three and allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk across 2.1 innings in his season debut Friday for Atlanta's rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

The No. 24 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Caminiti made his professional debut with Single-A Augusta late last season, but he stuck around at Atlanta's complex in Florida following spring training while he recovered from forearm tendinitis. The injury was never viewed as a major concern, as Atlanta had likely always planned to manage the 18-year-old lefty's workload in his first full pro season. He'll likely report to Augusta once he gets a few FCL starts under his belt.

Strider (hamstring) said that he feels ready to return from the 15-day injured list, but Atlanta has yet to decide whether he'll be activated during the upcoming week or go on a minor-league rehab assignment, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Strider has been on the shelf since April 21 due to a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, which he sustained while playing catch. He received a platelet-poor plasma injection two days later that he credits with hastening his recovery. The right-hander has responded well to bullpen sessions Wednesday and Saturday, but Atlanta may want to have him face hitters in a simulated game or in a minor-league rehab start before bringing him back from the IL. If Strider is cleared to return during the upcoming week, his workload could be managed carefully in what would be his first outing since April 16. Per Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com, Atlanta has already confirmed its starting pitchers through Thursday, so there wouldn't be an opening for Strider in the rotation until at least Friday.

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

Drake Baldwin will get the nod behind the plate while Murphy rests for the day game. Since the beginning of May, Murphy has gone 4-for-26 with a 3:10 BB:K. His ongoing slump could compel Atlanta manager Brian Snitker to turn the catcher spot into more of a timeshare between Murphy and Baldwin, who owns an .808 OPS on the season.