MLB Player News

Williams (back) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

After he tossed a live batting practice session Tuesday in Milwaukee without incident, Williams will move on to the final stage in his prolonged recovery from a pair of stress fractures in his back, an injury he suffered in spring training. As a late-inning reliever, Williams won't require an extensive buildup, but he's still likely to remain on his minor-league rehab assignment once the Brewers open their post-All-Star-break schedule July 20. A return from the 60-day injured list before the end of July can't be discounted, however, especially if Williams looks healthy and pitches effectively during his time in the minors. Once activated, Williams should settle back in as Milwaukee's closer after he racked up 51 saves and posted a 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 126 appearances between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Perkins will start in center field and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Though he'll stick in the lineup for a fifth straight start after going 4-for-15 with a home run, three walks and a stolen base across the prior four contests, Perkins still looks to be the Brewers' fourth outfielder. Each of Perkins' prior four starts came against left-handers, and he'll remain in the lineup Thursday against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes while Jackson Chourio exits the starting nine in what appears to be a routine off day. Some combination of Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick and Christian Yelich still appears to be the Brewers' preferred starting outfield trio and designated hitter versus right-handed pitching.

Chourio is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Blake Perkins will pick up a start in the outfield while Chourio heads to the bench after he had been included in the lineup for each of the previous six games. The 20-year-old rookie has been one of the hotter hitters in the Milwaukee lineup of late, slashing .340/.397/.547 with seven extra-base hits (two home runs, five doubles) and two stolen bases over his last 15 games.

Hoskins is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Hoskins will get a breather for Thursday's matinee contest after he had started each of the last seven games while going 4-for-25 with three home runs and six RBI. Jake Bauers will pick up the start at first base in Hoskins' stead.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Riley Adams will draw the start at catcher while Ruiz rests for the day game after a night game. Ruiz had started in each of the Nationals' last three contests, going 4-for-12 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez will receive a breather for Thursday's matinee contest after he had started each of the previous four days, with three coming at catcher and one at designated hitter. Luis Torrens will fill in behind the dish Thursday in place of Alvarez, who is slashing .300/.382/.433 thus far in July.

Iglesias is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Though he'll hit the bench Thursday, Iglesias seems to have pushed his way into a near-everyday role in the New York infield. He had started in five of the previous six games, and he turned in another strong performance in Wednesday's 6-2 win, going 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs. Jeff McNeil will cover second base Thursday, but McNeil could end up seeing more time in the corner outfield if the Mets want to continue opening up regular playing time in the infield for Iglesias.

Bailey went 2-for-2 with a home run, three walks and three runs scored in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Bailey reached five times on the night, scoring a run in two of his first three trips to the plate before smacking a solo homer in the ninth to give him seven long balls on the season. The catcher has now hit safely in three straight games and has recorded multiple hits in each of his last two. Wednesday also marked only the fourth time on the campaign that Bailey's drawn multiple walks.

Benson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

The lefty-hitting Benson will hit the bench for a second straight day while the Rockies bring another southpaw (Austin Gomber) to the hill. With fellow left-handed hitter Jake Fraley also out of the lineup, the Reds will open up room in the starting outfield for Austin Slater and Rece Hinds.

Espinal will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Espinal will be rewarded with a third consecutive start after he went 3-for-7 with a walk, two runs and two RBI between the previous two contests. Both of Espinal's last two starts were at second base in place of Jonathan India, who battled knee soreness. The 29-year-old Espinal still appears have a role as a short-side platoon player and occasional fill-in rather than a regular in the Reds lineup.