MLB Player News

Suarez (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater on Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Suarez is slated to throw three innings for Clearwater in what will be his first game appearance since he went down with lower-back stiffness in mid-March. The left-hander will likely require at least two additional rehab starts before rejoining the Phillies' rotation. Taijuan Walker will continue to hold down a rotation spot for Philadelphia until Suarez is ready to return.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker indicated Tuesday that Baldwin will still play quite a bit even after the return of Sean Murphy (rib) from the injured list, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.

Murphy is making his season debut Tuesday versus the Phillies and is expected to start two of three games in the series. Baldwin will still play fairly often, though, especially in the immediate future as Murphy eases back into things. Atlanta could eventually option Baldwin back to Triple-A Gwinnett so that he can be a primary catcher again, but for now he'll be an active No. 2 catcher with the big club.

Lopez underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery Tuesday and will be shut down for 12 weeks, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The surgery was termed as a "clean-up" procedure by manager Brian Snitker. Lopez will be reevaluated after the 12 weeks, and the hope is the right-hander will be able to pitch again late in the season. The good news for Atlanta is that Spencer Strider (elbow) is nearing a return to the rotation, as he's scheduled to make his final rehab start later this week.

Nootbaar is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's contest in Pittsburgh.

It's the first day off this season for Nootbaar, who is in a mini 1-for-14 funk at the plate. Victor Scott is playing left field and batting leadoff Tuesday, while Michael Siani is getting the start in center field.

Arenado (illness) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Tuesday's game versus the Pirates.

Arenado missed Monday's series opener due to illness and general soreness, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go Tuesday as the Cardinals look to even the series. The veteran third baseman has baseball's longest active hitting streak at 15 games, dating back to last season.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that McNeil (oblique) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment later this week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old has been ramping up his rehab program and is nearly ready to see game action. McNeil suffered the low-grade oblique strain in mid-March and could make his season debut for the Mets within the next couple weeks.

Smith is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's contest versus the Nationals.

It's a routine day off for Smith, who has now started 10 of 13 games this season. Austin Barnes will catch and bat ninth for the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Marsh is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Marsh will head to the bench for Tuesday's contest with lefty Chris Sale taking the mound for Atlanta. Johan Rojas will start in center field and bat ninth in the series opener.

Kepler is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Atlanta, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The left-handed hitting Kepler has made a couple starts against lefties this season, but he'll take a seat in this one with southpaw Chris Sale on the bump for Atlanta. Edmundo Sosa will handle left field and bat seventh.

Wilson (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Wilson suffered a left oblique strain back in late February and is finally ready to test things out in a game setting. Given how much time he's missed, he's likely to require a handful of rehab games before rejoining the Phillies' active roster.