MLB Player News

Walker is starting in right field and batting second in Friday's game versus the Phillies.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has reportedly considered moving the slumping Willson Contreras down from the No. 2 spot in the batting order. Contreras is getting a day off Friday, but it's possible Walker will stick in the two hole after Contreras is back in action.

Contreras is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

It's a day off for the slumping Contreras, who is just 5-for-49 with 22 strikeouts in the early going. Alec Burleson is at first base for the Cardinals, and Jordan Walker has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

Fraley is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Pirates.

It's southpaw Bailey Falter on the bump for Pittsburgh, so the left-handed hitting Fraley will grab a seat. Blake Dunn is in right field and batting second for the Reds.

The Cardinals recalled Munoz from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Munoz has permitted one run with a 7:5 K:BB over five innings with Memphis this season, recording one save in the process. He is taking the roster spot vacated by Chris Roycroft, who has been optioned to Memphis.

Fairchild went 0-for-2 with a stolen base in Thursday's extra-innings win over the Phillies.

Getting the start in right field and batting seventh, Fairchild reached on a fielder's choice in the second inning and promptly got himself into scoring position with his first steal of the season. Jarred Kelenic pinch hit for him in the seventh inning once southpaw Jesus Luzardo was out of the game for the Phillies. The 29-year-old Fairchild has gone 1-for-7 with a triple and a run scored in four appearances since being picked up to bolster Atlanta's depleted outfield at the end of March.

Atlanta recalled Thompson from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Thompson was up for a week earlier this season but didn't make an appearance. He will provide length in the bullpen for Atlanta.

Atlanta placed Bummer on the bereavement list Friday.

Bummer will miss at least the weekend series in Tampa Bay but could rejoin the club early next week in Toronto. Zach Thompson has taken his spot in the bullpen.

Cabrera (blister) will make his season debut Friday against the Nationals, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Cabrera threw 53 pitches in his second rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday, so he's not going to be ready for a full workload Friday. The right-hander is coming back from a blister on his right middle finger.

Ozuna went 3-for-5 with a double and a two-run home run in Thursday's 4-2 extra-inning victory over the Phillies.

Ozuna doubled to left field for Atlanta's first hit of the game in the first inning, and he later crushed a two-run homer off Phillies right-hander Joe Ross to walk it off in the 11th frame following a lengthy rain delay. After beginning the season just 2-for-12, Ozuna is on a tear in April thus far, hitting .385 with two big flies, two doubles, five RBI and seven walks across 26 at-bats.

Ross (1-1) took the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits in the 11th inning Thursday against Atlanta, failing to record an out.

Ross was brought on to protect a one-run lead, but Austin Riley promptly doubled in the tying run, which was unearned. However, Marcell Ozuna lifted a two-run homer to walk it off for Atlanta in the ensuing at-bat. Ross is a candidate for high-leverage work in the Philadelphia bullpen due to Jordan Romano's struggles, but he's blown both of his save opportunities in 2025 and will need to improve on his 6.35 ERA over 5.2 innings to avoid moving back into a long-relief role.