MLB Player News

Marte (ankle) is absent from the starting nine for Friday's game against the Rays.

Marte was diagnosed with a low-grade ankle sprain Tuesday and will spend Friday's series opener on the bench. The second baseman hasn't started and finished a game since Aug. 8, but the Diamondbacks don't believe he will require an IL stint. Blaze Alexander will bat ninth and play the keystone Friday. Per Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona, Marte said Friday that he's feeling better and could be in the lineup Saturday.

Marsh is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against the Nationals, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies are facing a lefty in Patrick Corbin for the second straight day and the left-handed hitting Marsh will again begin this one on the bench. Weston Wilson will be in left field and Johan Rojas will patrol center.

Bart is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.

It's a routine day of rest for Bart, who had started each of the previous seven contests (four at catcher, three at designated hitter). Yasmani Grandal will do the catching Friday.

Bellinger will start in right field and bat cleanup in Friday's game against the Blue Jays.

It's Bellinger's first game in the outfield since returning in late July from a fractured middle finger on his left hand, as he has been limited to designated hitter duty until now. With Bellinger in right field, Seiya Suzuki will serve as the Cubs' DH on Friday.

Nido (knee) resumed baseball activities Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Nido will ease back into things after having a debridgement on his right knee in late July. He's expected back sometime in September and should share the Cubs' catching duties with Miguel Amaya when he returns.

Garrett (7-4) took the loss Thursday against the A's, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in one inning. He struck out one.

Garrett entered the game in the sixth inning with the Mets ahead 6-5. He promptly allowed a single and a double to lead off the frame, allowing Oakland to tie the game on a fielder's choice, before Seth Brown put the A's ahead 7-6 with a one-out single. It was a tough outing for the 31-year-old Garrett in just his second appearance following a month-long IL stint. The right-hander now sports a 3.89 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP and 67:23 K:BB through 44 innings this season while logging four saves and eight holds.

Williams (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

It's the first mound work for the veteran right-hander since he landed on the IL at the end of May with a right flexor muscle strain. Williams threw 20 pitches, all fastballs, and he's still several weeks away from rejoining the Nationals' staff. His timeline could be shortened if the team elects to bring him back as a reliever, and with the 32-year-old set to become a free agent after the season, Washington has little incentive to bump a younger option from the rotation in favor of Williams.

Iglesias went 2-for-4 with a walk in Thursday's loss to the A's.

The veteran infielder got the start at second base and batted sixth, and he kept up the offensive production that has pushed him into a regular role. Even with Jeff McNeil turning things around at the plate, Iglesias has started eight of 13 games so far in August, batting .313 (10-for-32) with two doubles, three RBI and four runs. The lack of counting stats makes him tough to roster in shallower formats, however, and with Starling Marte (knee) potentially returning from the IL this weekend, Iglesias could find himself relegated to the short side of a platoon with McNeil at the keystone.

The Marlins recalled Ramirez from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Ramirez was sent down last week after being touched up for seven runs (six earned) without recording an out in his last appearance. He'll get another shot as the roster replacement for Anthony Bender (shoulder), who landed on the 15-day injured list Friday.

The Marlins placed Bender on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right shoulder impingement.

Bender is dealing with an injury in the shoulder of his throwing arm and will be sidelined until at least Aug. 27. The 29-year-old will be replaced on the active roster by Emmanuel Ramirez. Prior to suffering the injury, Bender posted a 4.00 ERA across 45.0 innings for the Marlins.