MLB Player News

The Nationals activated Ferrer (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his left shoulder. He will give the team a second left-hander in the bullpen behind Robert Garcia, something the Nationals have not had in 2024 until now.

Siani (elbow) is batting ninth and playing center field Friday against Atlanta.

Siani was hit by a pitch in the elbow during the first game of a doubleheader Saturday and didn't play in the nightcap, or the Cardinals' final game before the All-Star break Sunday. He's good to go after the four days of rest, filling his usual spot in center field. Siani is slashing .227/.263/.304 across 214 plate appearances.

The Reds designated Rios for assignment Friday.

Rios had his contract selected July 5 but logged only 10 plate appearances and went 1-for-9 with four strikeouts. He'll vacate his spot on the active roster for Stuart Fairchild (back). If Rios clears waivers, he'll likely remain with the Reds' organization.

Alzolay (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with the Cubs' Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Alzolay has been on the shelf since mid-May with a right flexor strain but is ready for game action. The reliever will need many rehab appearances and will eventually move up to a higher affiliate, so he's likely still at least a couple weeks away from a return.

The Reds reinstated Fairchild (back) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Fairchild had been eyeing a return after the All-Star break, and he'll hit that goal by being available for Cincinnati's series opener against the Nationals on Friday. The outfielder has been shelved since July 7 with a disc injury. Before the injury, the 28-year-old had been seeing regular work in center field in place of TJ Friedl (hamstring), but with Friedl likely back next week and both Rece Hinds and Austin Slater added to the mix since Fairchild landed on the IL, he may be limited to a short-side platoon role. Edwin Rios was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Brown (neck) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Brown had to be shut down again just before the All-Star break due to lingering discomfort in his neck, but he appears to be feeling better. The right-hander hasn't made a game appearance in six weeks, so he's going to need several rehab outings before becoming an option for the Cubs again.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Merryweather (ribs) is on track to return by next weekend "at the latest," Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Merryweather has allowed one run with a 3:0 K:BB over three innings on his rehab assignment and will make a fourth appearance Friday, this one with Triple-A Iowa. He's been out since early April with a rib stress fracture but should quickly rejoin Chicago's high-leverage crew once activated.

Kelly (shoulder) is expected to throw two more bullpen sessions before facing hitters, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly is slated to throw off the bump Saturday and is expected to require one additional bullpen session before being cleared to face hitters. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that the right-hander is "feeling really, really good." Kelly is been limited to just four starts this season with a right shoulder strain and will need time to ramp things back up, but the recent reports on his progress have been positive.

Floyd had shoulder surgery and won't pitch again until 2025, Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reports.

It's not clear exactly when Floyd had the procedure, but he opened the year on the injured list with right elbow discomfort and never pitched before needing shoulder surgery. Depending on the severity of the procedure, Floyd may not be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign. He still hasn't made his pro debut after the Reds selected him with the 38th overall pick in the 2023 draft.

Duno is on the 7-day injured list at Single-A Daytona with a broken rib, Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reports.

Per the report, Duno is rehabbing at the Reds' spring training complex and could return very late in the season. The 18-year-old catcher jumped over the Arizona Complex League and went straight from the Dominican Summer League to Single-A this season. He slashed .267/.367/.422 with three home runs and a 28.8 percent strikeout rate in 32 games before suffering the injury.