MLB Player News

McCutchen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

McCutchen will receive a breather after serving as Pittsburgh's designated hitter for 12 straight games, slashing .298/.377/.511 during that stretch. The Pirates will give Joey Bart a day off from catching and deploy him as the DH in place of McCutchen.

Triolo will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Padres.

Triolo initially served as a utility infielder upon returning from the injured list April 16, but he's been thrust into an everyday role in the middle infield. He'll pick up his sixth consecutive start and his fourth in a row at shortstop, which should be his primary home until Isiah Kiner-Falefa (hamstring) is ready to return from the IL.

The Pirates optioned Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

He's the odd man out of the bullpen with Dennis Santana (personal) getting reinstated from the bereavement list. Since being called up from Indianapolis on April 11, Nicolas had submitted a 10.57 ERA, 2.35 WHIP and 6:8 K:BB over 7.2 innings while working in lower-leverage situations.

The Pirates reinstated Santana (personal) from the bereavement list Sunday.

Pittsburgh optioned right-hander Kyle Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear room on the 26-man roster for Santana, who had been away from the team since Tuesday while tending to a personal matter. David Bednar scooped up a save Wednesday, but he took a loss in a non-save situation Saturday, leaving the team's closing picture murky. Prior to going on bereavement leave, Santana had gone 3-for-3 in save chances while posting a 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 12.1 innings.

Vientos is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Vientos started the previous 10 games at the hot corner and will sit for Sunday's matinee after posting an .814 OPS during that span. Luisangel Acuna will receive a look at third base while Jeff McNeil mans the keystone and Jose Azocar starts in center field.

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

The left-handed-hitting Sheets will remain on the bench for the second day in a row while the Pirates send another lefty (Andrew Heaney) to the bump. Luis Campusano will replace Sheets as the Padres' designated hitter.

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

San Diego is stocking up on extra right-handed bats to counter southpaw Andrew Heaney, so the lefty-hitting Wade will hit the bench for the second day in a row while Brandon Lockridge gets another start in center field. Both Wade and Lockridge could see their opportunities dwindle during the upcoming week, as Jackson Merrill (hamstring) is on track to return from the 10-day injured list.

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

The left-handed-hitting Heyward will hit the bench for the second day in a row while the Pirates send another lefty (Andrew Heaney) to the hill for the series finale. Platoon mate Oscar Gonzalez will replace Heyward as the Friars' starting left fielder.

The Padres optioned Morgan to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

He'll head back to the minors to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Stephen Kolek, who was recalled from Triple-A ahead of his scheduled start Sunday against the Pirates. Morgan didn't get the chance to make his MLB debut out of the San Diego bullpen after receiving his first big-league call-up from Double-A San Antonio last Sunday.

The Padres recalled Kolek from Triple-A El Paso ahead of his scheduled start Sunday in Pittsburgh.

David Morgan was optioned to Triple-A El Paso to make room on the 26-man active roster for Kolek, who will step in as the Padres' new No. 5 starter after Kyle Hart was previously demoted to Triple-A on April 24. Over his five outings with El Paso on the season, Kolek submitted a 6.38 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 24 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, but a 20:4 K:BB paints a more favorable picture of his overall performance. The 28-year-old righty should have an opportunity to make multiple turns through the rotation for the Padres, as Yu Darvish's (elbow) return from the injured list is not considered imminent.