MLB Player News

Johnston will start in right field and bat sixth in Monday's game against the Marlins.

The Rockies will keep Johnston in the starting nine for the fourth straight game and for the fifth time in six contests after he went 6-for-15 at the plate over the previous week, boosting his OPS to .814 on the season. Johnston's opportunities appeared to be on the downturn around the middle of the June, but he's begun to eat into the playing time Tyler Freeman, a right-handed hitter who should play regularly against lefties but may be in line for more of a part-time role against righties. With Colorado projected to face four right-handed Marlins starters and two right-handed Giants starters at Coors Field during its seven-game week, the left-handed-hitting Johnston looks like a solid short-term fantasy option, even in shallower leagues.

Castro is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

Castro will get his first day off since June 17, ending a stretch of nine consecutive starts for the veteran infielder. While Castro hits the bench Monday, the Rockies will turn to Edouard Julien at second base and Kyle Karros at third base.

Freeman is out of the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Marlins.

Freeman has now been out of the lineup two of the last three times the Rockies have faced a right-hander, as the return of Mickey Moniak from the injured list has cut into his playing time a bit. Moniak will serve as the Rockies' designated hitter for the series opener, and Troy Johnston will patrol right field.

Smith (neck) isn't expected to be ready to return from the 10-day injured list when the Dodgers begin a 10-game homestand Thursday to close out their first-half schedule, MLB.com reports.

Smith landed on the injured list June 11 due to neck inflammation and has yet to resume baseball activities since hitting the shelf. The Dodgers could still be leaving the door open for Smith to return at some point later on during the homestand, but unless he's able to start ramping up by the end of the week, the team could be inclined to hold him out through the All-Star break. Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as the Dodgers' primary option behind the dish for however long Smith remains out.

Pivetta (forearm) threw a light bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Pivetta likely didn't incorporate all of his pitchers or throw at full intensity, but the bullpen session is a step forward nonetheless as he works his way back from a flexor strain. The right-hander will need to complete multiple side sessions before advancing to facing hitters in live batting practice and eventually heading out on an extended rehab assignment. The Padres haven't pinpointed a target date for his return, but Pivetta's stay on the 60-day injured list will likely be extended through at least late July or early August.

Marquez (forearm) will make another rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Marquez had been scheduled to pitch for El Paso on Sunday, but he was a healthy scratch because he was under consideration to start for the Padres on Monday. However, that assignment will go to Griffin Canning, and Marquez will continue his rehab assignment. Working his way back from right forearm nerve irritation, Marquez has authored a 2.12 ERA and 13:7 K:BB over 17 innings thus far on his rehab assignment. The Padres will need to make a roster decision on Marquez following Tuesday's outing, as his 30-day rehab window is slated to run out soon.

Smith is slashing .370/.460/.658 with five home runs, 10 stolen bases and an 11:17 BB:K in 20 games with Single-A Palm Beach in June.

Acquired from the Orioles in April in exchange for left-handed reliever Nick Raquet, Smith had little-to-no prospect pedigree coming into the season, and he slashed only .200/.339/.300 through the end of May. However, the 22-year-old has broken through in June and could prove to be a sneaky trade acquisition for the Cardinals. Smith has been deployed in a super utility role with Palm Beach, making starts at every position other than first base, catcher and pitcher.

Chapman went 2-for-4 with a double in Sunday's 3-2 win over Atlanta.

Chapman singled in the third inning and doubled in the seventh, marking his first multi-hit performance since June 10. The veteran third baseman had recorded just two hits over his previous 10 games, and he turned in his first extra-base hit since June 14. Over 24 appearances this month, he's slashing .266/.384/.532 with 23 RBI, nine runs scored and six long balls in 99 plate appearances.

Manager Terry Francona said that Hayes (back) will face live pitching at the Reds' facility in Arizona on Wednesday or Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Hayes is on the mend from a lumbar bulging disk, but if his back presents no issues for him during his upcoming hitting session, he could be cleared to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 29-year-old has been on the shelf since May 22 with the injury, so he could need more than a handful of minor-league games to stockpile at-bats and get his timing back at the plate before the Reds activate him.

Pagan (hamstring) is likely to return from the 15-day injured list this week after tossing scoreless innings in a pair of rehab appearances with Triple-A Louisville over the weekend, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Pagan needed just six pitches to retire the side in his first outing with Louisville on Friday. He then faced the minimum in his second appearance Sunday erasing a leadoff single with a double-play groundout before inducing a lineout to end the frame. Since he threw just nine pitches Sunday, the Reds could be comfortable activating him from the IL ahead of Monday's series opener in Milwaukee, though it wouldn't be surprising if he was given a day to rest before being reinstated Tuesday. Whenever he's added back to the active roster, Pagan should reclaim closing duties for the Reds after converting six of nine save chances before hitting the IL on May 6 due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.