MLB Player News

MLB announced Thursday that Lopez has been suspended three games for intentionally throwing at the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen in Wednesday's 6-1 loss, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports. Lopez will appeal the suspension and will remain available for Thursday's series finale in Pittsburgh.

After hitting Bryan Reynolds with a pitch with two outs in bottom of the seventh, Lopez threw near McCutchen's head three pitches later and incited a benches-clearing brawl. Lopez was ejected from the contest, as was Reynolds for his role in the ensuing brawl. The right-hander was the only player issued a suspension for the incident, however, though Nationals manager Dave Martinez was also handed a one-game ban that he'll serve Thursday. Until his hearing takes place or unless he drops the appeal, Lopez will remain eligible to appear in games for Washington.

The Brewers optioned Dunn to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

Dunn has started at third base all 11 times the Brewers have faced a right-handed pitcher this season, but he'll head back to the minors after slashing just .167/.205/.222 across 41 plate appearances. The Brewers have not announced a corresponding roster move, but they could recall Caleb Durbin from Nashville to take over as their primary option at the hot corner.

Bell is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

With Thursday's game beginning at 12:35 p.m. ET, Bell will get some rest after he had started at designated hitter or at first base in each of Washington's last seven contests while going 3-for-27 with a home run and three walks over that stretch. Bell's absence from the lineup will allow the Nationals to give James Wood a day out of the outfield and deploy him as their DH.

Adams will start at catcher and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Though he's been on the Washington roster all season, Adams will enter the lineup for just the second time while top backstop Keibert Ruiz rests after starting behind the dish in 17 of the first 18 games. The Nationals will likely lighten Ruiz's workload a bit as the season unfolds, but Adams still probably won't be in line for more than a start or two per week while Ruiz is healthy.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Ruiz will receive a breather for just the second time all season while the Nationals and Pirates wrap up their series with a day game after a night game. Riley Adams will check in behind the plate, forming a battery with starting pitcher Trevor Williams.

Hill is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Though Arizona is sending a southpaw (Eduardo Rodriguez) to the hill for the series finale, the right-handed-hitting Hill will head to the bench while Dane Myers picks up a start in center field. With the recent return of Jesus Sanchez from the injured list adding another option to a crowded outfield, Hill could end up settling for more of a part-time role after picking up starts in 11 of Miami's first 17 games of the season.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Sanchez will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Matt Mervis and Liam Hicks while the Diamondbacks send southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez to the hill for the series finale. After being activated from the injured list Tuesday, Sanchez has picked up starts in center field and designated hitter through his first two games of the season, going 3-for-8 with a walk between those contests.

Mervis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

With southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez taking the hill for Arizona, Mervis will be one of three left-handed-hitting Marlins regulars who will retreat to the bench. Eric Wagaman will pick up a start at first base in place of Mervis, who has gone 9-for-25 with six home runs and 11 RBI over his last eight games.

Hicks is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Hicks will take a seat for the day game after a night game, opening up a start behind the dish for Rob Brantly. While Nick Fortes is on the injured list due to a Grade 1 oblique strain, Hicks should see the bulk of the starts at catcher. The Rule 5 pickup is batting .194 with no home runs, seven RBI and four runs over 43 plate appearances on the season.

Davis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

While Joey Bart (back) was out of the lineup for the previous five games, Davis drew four starts behind the dish and went 3-for-17 with a home run and two RBI during that stretch. Bart has made enough progress with his recovery to resume catching duties in Thursday's series finale, and assuming he steers clear of setbacks, he should see the bulk of the starts moving forward.