MLB Player News

The Giants optioned Black to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Black was saddled with his fifth loss of the season Wednesday versus Arizona, allowing four earned runs on five hits and five walks across just 2.2 innings. Now that his spot in the rotation won't be needed for the rest of the season, the Giants will send him back to the minors and insert Randy Rodriguez (elbow) back into their bullpen.

The Cardinals optioned Scott to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

During his three-day stint in the big leagues, Scott went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, and he'll now end up as the Cardinals' roster casualty as Luken Baker returns from paternity leave. Assuming he's played his final game in the majors this season, Scott will finish his rookie campaign with a .179/.219/.283 slash line alongside 10 RBI through 155 plate appearances.

Muncy is absent from Friday's lineup against Colorado, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Muncy has gone 1-for-9 with one run scored and three walks in his last three starts since returning from side soreness. He'll begin Friday's contest in the dugout as Chris Taylor draws the start at third base and bats eighth.

Smith is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Smith has gone 3-for-13 with one home run and two RBI over his last four games. He'll get some rest Friday, with Austin Barnes serving behind home plate and batting ninth.

Bauers isn't in the Brewers' lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.

The lefty-hitting Bauers will grab a seat on the bench Friday with the lefty-throwing Sean Manaea set to throw the first pitches for New York. Gary Sanchez will serve as Milwaukee's designated hitter instead while batting eighth.

Mitchell isn't in the Brewers' lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.

Southpaw Sean Manaea will start on the mound for New York to begin the final series of the regular season, so the lefty-hitting Mitchell will step out of the lineup while Jackson Chourio, Blake Perkins and Sal Frelick start across Milwaukee's outfield.

Washington optioned Herz to the Florida Complex League Nationals on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

With Herz not scheduled to start during the weekend series against the Phillies, the Nationals will switch out the 23-year-old southpaw for long reliever Jackson Rutledge. Herz started 19 games for the Nationals this season, posting a 4-9 record with a 4.16 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 106:36 K:BB across 88.2 innings. He was briefly sent down to Triple-A Rochester in early July, but he returned to the big club after the All-Star break. Since his recall, his numbers slightly improved to a 3.61 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 57.1 frames.

Brasier will start Friday's game against the Rockies, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The Dodgers will be relying on their bullpen to get them through Friday's contest at Coors Field, and they'll entrust Brasier with at least the first three batters as the opener. The 37-year-old owns a 3.33 ERA and 0.93 WHIP through 27 frames on the year, though his outing Friday will almost certainly be brief, as only two of his 28 appearances have lasted more than one inning.

The Nationals recalled Rutledge on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The move gives the Nationals a long-relief option out of the bullpen for the final series of the season against the Phillies. Rutledge last pitched for the Nats on July 12, when he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings. He's spent most of the season with Triple-A Rochester, where he's posted a 4-9 record over 27 starts with a 6.40 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 128:77 K:BB across 122.1 innings. To make room on the 28-man roster for Rutledge, Washington optioned DJ Herz to the Florida Complex League.

Lopez (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Thursday and manager Brian Snitker said Friday that Lopez felt great and is ready to go when needed, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.

Atlanta's starters for Saturday and Sunday have yet to be determined, but Lopez appears to be firmly in the mix to take the mound on either day, or perhaps during Monday's doubleheader against the Mets. Per McAuley, Snitker also mentioned that Lopez wouldn't be under any major pitch count limitations if he were to start. Atlanta is one of three teams competing for the final two National League wild-card slots.