MLB Player News

Realmuto (knee) participated in receiving drills and hit on the field ahead of Thursday's road game against the Cubs, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The veteran catcher has recently been hitting in the batting cage but is now ready to hit on the field for the first time since undergoing meniscus surgery June 12. Realmuto still has significant work to do in his rehab program, but a return shortly after the All-Star break appears to be a reasonable target for his activation.

The Diamondbacks optioned Alexander to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

With Gabriel Moreno (thumb) and Alek Thomas (hamstring) returning from the injured list Tuesday, Alexander and Tucker Barnhart will both be pushed back to the minors. In his first season in the big leagues, Alexander has slashed .259/.328/.361 with three homers and 21 RBI across 175 plate appearances. Should the Diamondbacks run into any problems with their infield depth, it's likely the 25-year-old would be one of the first choices for a return to Arizona.

Kershaw (shoulder) has started throwing again Tuesday after experiencing shoulder soreness last week, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

After being shut down for one week due to feeling soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder, Kershaw said he was relieved an MRI didn't reveal any new damage. The southpaw added that he received some shots to help alleviate discomfort and that he is hopeful the pause in his rehab will not push his return timeline back too much.

The Diamondbacks recalled Hollowell from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

The right-hander was optioned to Reno after being claimed off waivers from the Rockies in mid-June, and he'll now receive his first look with the Diamondbacks. Hollowell made 26 appearances in the big leagues last year for Colorado and had a 5.88 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 32:18 K:BB over 33.2 innings.

The Diamondbacks reinstated Thomas (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Thomas suffered a left hamstring strain during the fourth game of the season, and multiple setbacks have contributed to his three-month absence. Now, after playing in 10 rehab games between the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A, the 24-year-old outfielder has been cleared to return to the big-league roster. It's possible the D-backs have him sit occasionally as he gets used to facing MLB pitchers again, but he'll almost certainly reclaim his role as Arizona's primary center fielder. Blaze Alexander was optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

The Diamondbacks placed Montgomery on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to June 29, due to right knee inflammation.

Montgomery was tagged for eight runs (four earned) during his start Thursday against the Twins, though it's unclear if the injury played a role in those results. The veteran left-hander will be eligible to be reinstated for the final game before the All-Star break July 14 versus the Blue Jays, but a return after the Midsummer Classic likely more realistic.

Biggio isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Tuesday versus the Diamondbacks.

Biggio continues to split time at third base with Chris Taylor until Max Muncy (oblique) returns. Biggio has struggled with Los Angeles, batting .188 with a 33.3 percent strikeout rate in 12 games since being acquired from the Blue Jays. Taylor has the start at third Tuesday and is batting eighth.

The Diamondbacks reinstated Moreno (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

The 24-year-old landed on the shelf with a sprained thumb June 22 and will rejoin Arizona after being on the injured list for the 10-day minimum. Moreno has a .230/.313/.346 slash line through 61 games this season and should reclaim primary catching duties for the Diamondbacks.

Mantiply will start Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

The veteran left-hander will serve as an opener for the second time this season and the fifth time in his career. Mantiply hasn't recorded more than five outs in an appearance this season and should hand things over to Ryne Nelson after an inning or two Tuesday.

Martinez was scratched from the Mets' lineup ahead of Tuesday's game versus Washington due to left ankle soreness, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The severity of Martinez's injury isn't immediately apparent, but it's enough of a nuisance to keep him from playing Tuesday. Luis Torrens will step into the lineup as New York's designated hitter and bat sixth while Martinez rests.