MLB Player News

Rockies manager Bud Black said that Tovar is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers due to a hip issue, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Black noted that while the hip problem has nagged at Tovar for a bit, the club does not think it's serious. The Rockies begin a road trip Friday in San Diego, and Tovar looks like he has a chance to be back in the lineup at that time. Kyle Farmer will start at shortstop Thursday.

Hays (calf) has reported to Triple-A Louisville and will begin a rehab assignment Thursday.

Hays likely won't need much time to get back up to full speed after suffering a low-grade left calf strain at the tail end of spring training, but he could end up sticking around in Louisville through the weekend to pick up some at-bats before being activated from the 10-day injured list. With Gavin Lux having recently taken over as the Reds' primary second baseman in the wake of Matt McLain (hamstring) landing on the IL, Hays could have a near-everyday role in left field waiting for him once he's cleared to rejoin Cincinnati.

Frelick is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Colorado.

It's the first day off this season after Frelick had started each of the Brewers' first 12 contests. Jackson Chourio will slide over to right field for Milwaukee on Thursday, while Christian Yelich receives a start in left field and William Contreras handles designated-hitter duties.

Hoskins is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Hoskins will receive a breather during the day game after he started at first base and played all nine innings of the Brewers' 17-2 win Wednesday night while going 0-for-4 with an RBI. Jake Bauers will spell Hoskins at first base Thursday.

The Marlins reinstated Alcantara (personal) from the paternity list Thursday.

Alcantara will rejoin the Marlins for their home series with the Nationals this weekend after he was away from the team for the past three days following the birth of his child. He's slated to start Saturday's game in what will be his third outing of the season and his first since April 1, after his previously scheduled start last weekend against Atlanta was rained out.

Leahy is set to see more high-leverage relief appearances for the Cardinals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Leahy is off to an excellent start, having allowed just one run and one hit with a 10:3 K:BB over 7.2 innings. He looks to have leapfrogged Ryan Fernandez -- who has a 10.80 ERA -- in the pecking order among righty relievers for St. Louis, at least for the time being. While he's unlikely to garner any save chances, Leahy could be worth a look in leagues that count holds.

The Marlins optioned Bellozo to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Bellozo had a brief stay on the Marlins' active roster, as he'll head back to the minors just a few days after he was called up to make a spot start Monday. The right-hander took a loss against the Mets after giving up one earned run on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. He'll cede his spot to Sandy Alcantara (personal), who was reinstated from the paternity list and is on track to make his next start Saturday versus the Nationals.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol is weighing the possibility of moving the slumping Contreras down in the batting order, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Contreras has gotten off to a dreadful start this season, going 5-for-49 with 22 strikeouts, and he's done so while mostly batting second for St. Louis. The 32-year-old is a good bet to eventually get going offensively, but it's possible he'll be moved to a lower profile spot in the batting order while he's scuffling. If Marmol wants to continue alternating his lefty and righty hitters, Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn would appear to be the most likely candidates to be elevated to the No. 2 spot, if Contreras is indeed dropped lower in the lineup.

Tovar is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Tovar will get his first day off of the season after he played all nine innings Wednesday night in the Rockies' 17-2 loss. Kyle Farmer will slide over from second base to cover Tovar's usual post at shortstop.

Bryant is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Colorado will be holding out a few of their lineup regulars for a day game after a night game, as catcher Hunter Goodman and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar will join Bryant on the bench for the series finale. Nick Martini will serve as Colorado's designated hitter in place of Bryant.