MLB Player News

Assad is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

After being deployed in the bullpen June 30 versus the Padres, Assad slotted back into the rotation this past Sunday against the Cardinals, taking a no-decision while tossing 4.2 scoreless frames. With Jameson Taillon (hamstring) set to remain on his rehab assignment this week before likely returning from the 15-day injured list following the All-Star break, Assad will stick in a starting role for at least one more appearance. Once Taillon is activated, the Cubs will have rotation spots available for only two of Assad, Colin Rea and David Peterson.

Lindor is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

It's a routine day off for Lindor after he started each of the previous nine contests. Lindor is sporting a disappointing .184/.259/.347 batting line across 12 games since coming off the injured list in late June. Bo Bichette will handle shortstop and Mark Vientos will play third base for the Mets in Thursday's series finale.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Wednesday he hopes to avoid using Stanek (ankle) "for maybe two or three days," Amber Winkler of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Stanek suffered a right ankle injury on a play at first base in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Brewers. While the reliever appears unlikely to be available until at least Friday, the Cardinals are optimistic he will avoid a trip to the injured list. After posting an 8.31 ERA in April, Stanek boasts a 2.91 ERA and 21:8 K:BB over 21.2 frames since May 1.

The Marlins will recall Hinds from Triple-A Jacksonville ahead of Thursday's contest versus the Mariners, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Hinds is expected to take the roster spot of the injured Owen Caissie (calf). Acquired from the Reds via trade in May, the toolsy Hinds is a career .172/.221/.426 hitter with a 42 percent strikeout rate over parts of three major-league seasons. The 25-year-old could see some playing time in Miami's outfield while Caissie is out, but Heriberto Hernandez and/or Esteury Ruiz are also in the mix.

The Marlins are likely to place Caissie (calf) on the 10-day injured list prior to Thursday's game against the Mariners, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Caissie had to be lifted from Wednesday's contest with right calf tightness. He could be dealing with a strain, but the Marlins will have more specifics on Caissie's status later Thursday. Heriberto Hernandez and Esteury Ruiz will likely see an uptick in playing time while Caissie is shelved, and Rece Hinds is expected to take Caissie's spot on the active roster.

The Mets optioned Myers to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Myers' most recent stint in the majors lasted only one day, and he allowed one run over two frames in Wednesday's win over the Royals. Dan Hammer is taking Myers' spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

The Mets selected Hammer's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Hammer has collected a 2.16 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 38:21 K:BB across 33.1 combined innings between Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse. The 28-year-old will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.

Winn (elbow) allowed a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning during Triple-A Sacramento's 6-1 win over Salt Lake on Wednesday.

After making rehab appearances in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Single-A, Winn continued his rehab assignment in Sacramento, throwing seven of his 14 pitches for strikes Wednesday. According to Evan Webeck of the California Post, Giants manager Tony Vitello said he expects the right-hander to return either just before the All-Star break or immediately afterward.

Rea (7-5) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in a 9-7 victory over the Orioles. He struck out two.

The veteran right-hander did just about the bare minimum to record the win, leaving the mound after 91 pitches (58 strikes) with the Cubs ahead 4-3, and their offense was able to stay ahead of the bullpen's stumbles. After going winless over five outings in June, Rea has won two straight starts to begin July. He'll take a 4.75 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 70:36 K:BB through 94.2 innings into the All-Star break.

Fermin (head) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday, going 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Fermin served as the Chihuahuas' designated hitter, contributing an RBI single in one of his four trips to the dish. The 31-year-old is working his way back from a head bruise and is tracking toward being activated at the start of the second half.