MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

With Isiah Kiner-Falefa (knee) returning from the injured list, Williams will be pushed back to the minor leagues. He appeared in two games during his brief stint in the majors and was hit by a pitch to drive in a run during his lone plate appearance.

Fraley isn't in the Reds' lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

Left-hander Kyle Harrison will start on the hill for San Francisco on Saturday, meaning the lefty-hitting Fraley will take a seat on the bench to begin the game. While he rests, Stuart Fairchild will start in right field and bat eighth.

Thomas isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Thomas will get a day to rest Saturday after going 1-for-3 with two RBI and a walk in Friday's game. Jake McCarthy will fill the void in center field and bat sixth.

The Marlins claimed Hill off waivers from the Giants on Saturday.

Hill was DFA'd by the Giants on Friday, but he'll remain in the big leagues as he joins the Marlins' outfield unit. The 28-year-old went 3-for-12 with two RBI and three runs scored in five games with San Francisco, and he figures to take on a reserve role with his new club.

Mitchell isn't in the Brewers' lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

The lefty-hitting Mitchell will step out of the lineup Saturday as left-hander DJ Herz prepares to throw the first pitch for Washington. Blake Perkins will cover center field in Mitchell's place and bat second.

Ramirez isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Ramirez will get a breather Saturday after going 8-for-24 with six RBI and four runs scored over his last six games. Travis Blankenhorn will fill in as Washington's designated hitter and bat sixth.

Schmitt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-0 win over the Reds.

Schmitt's lone hit of the game opened the scoring in the second inning, and it was all the run support Blake Snell needed in his no-hitter. Over four contests since rejoining the major-league roster, Schmitt has gone 3-for-11 with two home runs and a triple. The infielder doesn't have an immediate path to everyday playing time, especially when he has Brett Wisely and Marco Luciano to compete with in the middle infield. For the season, Schmitt is slashing .231/.255/.519 with four homers, eight RBI, eight runs scored and no stolen bases over 55 plate appearances.

Wood went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's loss to the Brewers.

The 21-year-old outfielder continues to adjust to big-league pitching. After batting just .200 (16-for-80) through his first 21 games in July, Wood has racked up nine hits in the last six games, including two doubles and a triple, with a 5:7 BB:K. Friday's steal was his first since July 12 and third of the year in the majors on five attempts, after a 10-for-11 showing on the basepaths in 52 games for Triple-A Rochester prior to his promotion. While there are likely still significant growing pains ahead for him, Wood is on track to be a serious power-speed threat in the near future.

Nootbaar isn't in the Cardinals' lineup Saturday against the Cubs.

Nootbaar will get a breather Saturday after going 1-for-7 with a stolen base through the first two games of the series. His absence will move Brendan Donovan into the outfield, allowing Nolan Gorman to start at the keystone.

Sproat threw five scoreless innings for Double-A Binghamton on Friday, allowing only two hits and striking out 13 without walking a batter.

The 23-year-old put together the most dominant performance of his pro career to date, and Sproat struck out the final 11 batters he faced. As Ben Weinrib of MLB.com notes, the record for consecutive Ks in a single game at the major-league level is 10, a record shared by Aaron Nola, Corbin Burnes and Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. Sproat has struggled to maintain consistency as the weather has warmed up, but in general his first season at Double-A has been a rousing success as he's produced a 2.45 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 77:15 K:BB through 62.1 innings. Most encouragingly, he's reduced his walk rate from 5.7 BB/9 last year at High-A to a 2.2 BB/9 with Binghamton.