MLB Player News

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that McCarthy still has hand soreness as a result of a hit-by-pitch in Sunday's game versus the Brewers, Jose M. Romero of MLB.com reports.

The injury partly explains why McCarthy is out of the lineup for a third straight game Thursday in Miami, although the 27-year-old has not been used as an everyday player so far this season. Lovullo plans to get McCarthy back into the lineup at some point during the team's weekend series against the Cubs. Alek Thomas will start in center field and bat seventh for the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

Bart (back) will start at catcher and bat cleanup in Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Though the Pirates were concerned enough about Bart's health to keep newly acquired Brett Sullivan on hand Thursday in case he needed to be added to the roster as additional catching depth, Bart demonstrated enough progress in his recovery from lower-back soreness to resume catching duties Thursday. The injury kept Bart out of the lineup for five straight games, but assuming he experiences no setbacks Thursday, he should be capable of handling a near-everyday role behind the dish moving forward. Bart had gotten off to a strong start o the season prior to getting hurt, batting .275 with one home run, one stolen base, five RBI and four runs over 12 games.

Trevino is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Mariners.

Trevino caught each of the first two games of the series, so he'll receive some rest for Thursday's matinee. Austin Wynns is behind the dish and batting ninth for the Reds in Thursday's rubber match.

McLain is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

McLain started the first two games upon his return from the 10-day injured list, but he'll get a breather for Thursday's series finale. Gavin Lux is at second base and batting fifth for the Reds on Thursday.

Steer is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Steer has been limited to designated-hitter duties thus far as he works his way back from a right shoulder injury, but manager Terry Francona said that the 27-year-old is ramping up his throwing and is almost ready to play first base, according to Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News. It's not clear when Steer might be ready to play additional positions, however. Austin Hays will get a start at DH on Thursday while Steer rests.

Miami optioned Pauley to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

The Marlins had optioned Pauley to Triple-A on March 16, but he ended up being recalled just over a week later and was included on the Opening Day roster after Connor Norby suffered an oblique strain in the team's second-to-last spring training game and was placed on the injured list. Pauley had served as Miami's primary third baseman against right-handed pitching over the first three weeks of the season but didn't do much with the opportunity, slashing .191/.235/.277 over 52 plate appearances. With Norby completing a rehab assignment and returning from the IL on Thursday, Pauley will now head to Jacksonville, where he'll get the chance to play on an everyday basis.

The Reds recalled Marte from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Marte was just sent down Tuesday but has returned to take the roster spot vacated by Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. The 23-year-old didn't play much in his previous brief stint with the Reds and might not this time around, either, although there should be some reps at third base up for grabs while Jeimer Candelario shifts over to first base to cover for Encarnacion-Strand.

The Marlins reinstated Norby (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Thursday. He'll start at third base and bat second in the Marlins' series finale versus the Diamondbacks.

Graham Pauley was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move, clearing the way for Norby to step back in as Miami's primary third baseman. The 24-year-old had been on track to open the season as an everyday player for the Marlins before he strained his left oblique in the Marlins' penultimate spring training game. After a few weeks of rest and rehab, Norby was cleared to head out on a rehab assignment last weekend, and he went 4-for-8 with a solo home run and a pair of walks over three games with Jacksonville. Now healthy, Norby will likely continue to maintain a prominent spot in the Miami lineup against both right- and left-handed pitching.

The Reds placed Encarnacion-Strand on the 10-day injured list Thursday with low-back inflammation.

Encarnacion-Strand had a two-RBI double in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners, but he's been playing through a back issue for a while and the Reds have decided that the best course of action is to rest him for a bit. Jeimer Candelario is likely to handle the bulk of reps at first base while Encarnacion-Strand is out, with Gavin Lux, Santiago Espinal and Noelvi Marte representing the Reds' options at third base.

Farmer went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Farmer has gained most of his playing time at second base in the absence of Thairo Estrada (wrist), but he's recently seen work at first base and shortstop while also serving as the designated hitter. He's quietly been one of the few bright spots for the Colorado offense to begin the season, tallying multiple base hits in six of his last 11 starts. Farmer has nine doubles with four RBI and two runs scored in that span.