MLB Player News

Murphy (ribs) is slated to play nine innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday and could be activated from the injured list Tuesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Murphy kicked off a rehab stint with Gwinnett on March 31 and has gone 2-for-10 with a homer and two RBI through three games. If he's able to complete Sunday's game without any setbacks, the veteran catcher could be back behind the plate for Atlanta's series opener versus the Phillies on Tuesday. Prospect Drake Baldwin has been starting at catcher in Murphy's absence, but he has struggled to a .291 OPS through 25 plate appearances and may soon head back to the minors.

Strider (elbow) will make another rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Strider has dominated in his two minor-league rehab outings so far, fanning 14 batters while allowing just one earned run on two hits and three walks over 8.1 innings. The right-hander worked up to 74 pitches in his most recent appearance Friday as he closes in on a return to the majors following last April's right elbow surgery. If his rehab assignment continues to go smoothly, Strider could join Atlanta's rotation around the middle of April.

Bryant is starting at DH and batting fifth against the Athletics on Saturday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Bryant sat out Colorado's previous two contests, but he's back among the starting nine Saturday. The veteran slugger has struggled to begin the campaign, batting just .188 with a 37.5 percent strikeout rate through 16 plate appearances. With Bryant occupying the DH slot Saturday, Hunter Goodman is moving back behind the plate.

Bride isn't in the Marlins' lineup for Saturday's matchup against Atlanta.

Bride will begin on the bench for the second time in Miami's past three games. Prior to that stretch, he started in each of the team's first six contests. It's been a rough go for Bride so far, as he's gone just 2-for-26 at the plate with a 29 percent strikeout rate. Eric Wagaman is starting at DH on Saturday with Bride out of the lineup.

Dunn isn't in the lineup Saturday for Cincinnati's matchup versus Milwaukee.

Dunn started each of the Reds' previous two games, as the team faced back-to-back southpaw starters. However, with righty Elvin Rodriguez on the mound for the Brewers on Saturday, Dunn will sit while Jake Fraley starts in right field. Dunn has had a rough beginning to the campaign, going 1-for-10 with no walks and three strikeouts thus far.

McLain (hamstring) is starting at DH and batting second against the Brewers on Saturday.

McLain was a late scratch Friday due to a hamstring injury, but he was able to log a plate appearance as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning. The 25-year-old shortstop is back in the lineup Saturday, suggesting that the hamstring issue isn't a major concern. The struggling Spencer Steer is getting the day off, allowing McLain to stay off his feet as the team's DH. Meanwhile, Santiago Espinal is starting at second base.

Steer isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup against Milwaukee.

Steer was originally out of the lineup for Friday's series opener, but he was inserted as the Reds' DH after Matt McLain was removed due to a hamstring issue. Steer went 0-for-3 with a walk in the contest to lower his season batting average to a meager .048, and he's getting an opportunity to reset Saturday. McLain is back after Friday's absence and is starting at DH against the Brewers in Steer's stead.

Pham (illness) isn't in the lineup for Pittsburgh's matchup against the Yankees on Saturday.

Pham was pulled from Friday's game against New York due to the illness after making just one plate appearance. He'll get at least one more day to recover Saturday. In Pham's stead, Jack Suwinski is starting in left field while Alexander Canario occupies right and Bryan Reynolds once again serves as the designated hitter.

Bart is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Bart started behind the plate in three of Pittsburgh's previous four games, but he'll get a breather Saturday while Endy Rodriguez takes over at catcher. Bart has logged a .261/.370/.261 slash line through 27 plate appearances to begin the campaign, though he doesn't have any extra-base hits and has struck out at a 33.3 percent clip.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's matchup against the Nationals.

Smith will take a seat with lefty Mitchell Parker starting on the mound for Washington. That's been a trend for Smith this season, as he's yet to be in the lineup against an opposing southpaw starter. Randal Grichuk will start at DH in Smith's stead Saturday.