MLB Player News

Merrill exited Friday's game after fouling a ball off his knee, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Merrill suffered the injury in the sixth inning but stayed in the game for an additional frame. He underwent X-rays after the game, which came back clean. The Padres may play it safe with the rookie, but Merrill appears to have avoided a serious injury.

Cabrera (migraine) could be available to start Sunday against the Phillies, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera was scratched from his scheduled start Friday due to migraines, and he spent a brief period of time in the hospital. He was discharged and cleared, leaving him with a chance to resume throwing Saturday. Even if Cabrera isn't available to pitch Sunday, he should be available to start at some point in the coming days.

Arenado exited Friday's game against Seattle due to shoulder soreness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Arenado exited in favor of a pinch hitter in the ninth inning after he had difficulty swinging a bat. It's unclear if the injury will cause him to miss additional time, but Jose Fermin would likely pick up playing time at the hot corner in that scenario.

Junis will start Saturday's game against the Mets, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Junis was expected to serve as the bulk reliever behind Fernando Cruz on Friday, but the Reds instead had Brandon Williamson fill that role. Junis is now set up for a start Saturday, after he had previously piggybacked Williamson in the latter's 2024 Reds debut this past Sunday versus the Brewers. The right-hander has worked four and 3.2 innings in his last two outings, so he has an outside chance at working deep enough into Saturday's start to qualify for a win.

Hernandez exited Friday's game against the Guardians due to a left foot contusion.

Hernandez was hit by an 81 mph slider in the first inning. He walked slowly to first base but was then pulled. It appears that he has avoided serious injury, though it's unclear if he will be available for Saturday's game.

Friedl went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer Friday's 6-4 loss to the Mets.

The Cincinnati center fielder tied the game at 4-4 when he slugged a 394-foot, two-run homer off starter Sean Manaea in the seventh inning. Despite entering the contest with a .185 batting average against southpaws this season, Friedl managed to collect his second homer off a lefty. The 29-year-old is now slashing .217/.301/.387 with 11 homers, 27 runs scored, 48 RBI and eight steals over 270 plate appearances across 66 games.

Williamson did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over 4.2 innings against the Mets. He struck out one.

The Cincinnati southpaw relieved opener Fernando Cruz in the second frame and fired 60 pitches in this performance. Williamson pitched into the sixth inning before being relieved by Buck Farmer, who allowed an inherited runner to score. Williamson has made two appearances since making his season debut and returning from a shoulder injury, pitching to a 3.38 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 6:1 K:BB across eight innings. He currently lines up to make his next outing against the Cardinals in St. Louis, but it is unknown whether he will start or serve as a bulk reliever.

Vientos went 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's 6-4 win against Cincinnati.

The Mets' third baseman opened the game's scoring when he laced a 368-foot, two-run homer off opener Fernando Cruz in the first inning. Vientos then capped the game's scoring when he cracked a walk-off, 401-foot, two-run blast in the 10th. The 24-year-old has been a significant source of power this season, as he's now slashing .289/.342/.563 with 24 homers, 62 RBI and 50 runs scored across 368 plate appearances in 91 games. Vientos now has multiple hits in four of his past five games.

Hernandez exited Friday's game against the Guardians after being hit in the ankle by a pitch, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez took an 81 mph slider off his left ankle in the first inning. He walked slowly to first base but was ultimately removed from the game. Hernandez will likely undergo imaging to determine the severity of the injury.

Manaea did not factor into the decision in Friday's 6-4 victory over the Reds, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out nine.

The New York southpaw looked untouchable for most of this outing, generating a fantastic 19 whiffs to pick up his nine Ks. However, Manaea was done in by a pair of two-run homers, one from Elly De La Cruz in the fourth inning before a TJ Friedl blast chased the hurler from the mound in the seventh. The 32-year-old Manaea has been brilliant over his last eight starts, going 5-1 with a 2.81 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 62:11 K:BB across 51.1 innings. He currently forecasts to face the Blue Jays on the road for his next start.