MLB Player News

Abrams is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Atlanta has southpaw Chris Sale on the mound, so the Nationals are choosing to give the left-handed hitting Abrams a rare day off. Nasim Nunez will handle shortstop duties Friday.

Kelenic is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against the Nationals.

Kelenic was given a good number of starts versus left-handed pitching in the first half, but Atlanta has now faced seven southpaws since the All-Star break and Kelenic hasn't been in the lineup against any of then. Ramon Laureano will patrol left field Friday.

Peralta (thigh) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Lake Elsinore on Friday.

Peralta has been on the shelf since July 9 due to a left adductor strain and was cleared to kick off a rehab stint after throwing a live batting practice session Tuesday. It's unclear how many rehab outings he'll need before being reinstated from the 15-day IL, but the reliever could rejoin the Padres before the end of the month.

Soler (hamstring) will start in right field and bat second in Friday's game against the Nationals.

It's his first start in more than a week since injuring his left hamstring, although he did make a couple pinch-hitting appearances during that stretch. Soler has collected a .969 OPS with four home runs in 15 games with Atlanta.

Bailey (oblique) is likely to return from the 10-day injured list before the end of August, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

There's been no word yet on Bailey's progress after he was placed on the IL on Tuesday with a right oblique strain. However, he's eligible for activation Aug. 29 and it would appear the expectation is he will be ready by that date or shortly after. Curt Casali and Jakson Reetz are currently handling the Giants' catching duties.

Darvish (personal/elbow) was reinstated from the restricted list and returned to the 15-day injured list Friday.

While Darvish will rejoin the Padres in San Diego on Friday, he'll still have some hurdles to clear before rejoining the active roster. The right-hander hasn't pitched since May 29 after sustaining a left groin strain. He's had his recovery delayed twice, experiencing elbow inflammation right before his expected activation in late June and then going on the restricted list July 6 as he dealt with a personal matter. The 37-year-old has been throwing on his own and even threw a live batting practice session at a San Diego-area high school Aug. 12, but it's unclear how close he might be to coming off the IL.

Friedl is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.

Friedl will dodge a matchup with left-hander Bailey Falter on Friday, yielding to Stuart Fairchild in center field. Friedl is 0-for-10 at the plate in his last three games.

Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.

Smith went 0-for-3 in his Reds debut Thursday, but he'll yield to the righty-hitting Ty France at first base against southpaw Bailey Falter and the Pirates. Smith slashed .237/317/390 in 278 plate appearances with the Red Sox before being released.

The Cubs are expected to recall Vazquez from Triple-A Iowa, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Vazquez, 24, was up briefly with the Cubs earlier this season, striking out in his lone plate appearance. He's slashed .263/.347/.432 with eight homers at Iowa this season and boasts a 1.095 OPS in seven games this month after returning from an undisclosed injury. Vazquez is primarily a shortstop but also has played second and third base. It's not clear whose roster spot he will be taking.

The Rockies optioned Gordon to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

The right-hander made his seventh start of the season Wednesday against the Nationals and surrendered five runs across eight innings, and he won't stick in the big-league rotation. Gordon has a 7.55 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB across 31 frames in his first taste of the majors this season.