MLB Player News

Gray (elbow) struck out five over five innings while allowing two earned runs on three hits and three walks in his rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Harrisburg.

After building up to 79 pitches in what was the third start of his rehab assignment, Gray looks to be on the cusp of making his return from the 15-day injured list. According to Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com, Gray reported back to Washington on Thursday and said he felt good following his latest rehab start, but the Nationals haven't yet decided whether he'll remain on assignment or rejoin the big-league rotation. If Washington chooses to activate Gray along with keeping a five-man rotation intact, the struggling Patrick Corbin could be sent to the bullpen to make room for the right-hander. Gray could be an option to start for the Nationals as soon as Monday in San Diego.

The Marlins list Luzardo (back) as their probable pitcher for Saturday's game against the Mariners, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Luzardo pitched with some back stiffness in his last outing in Sunday's loss to the Nationals, getting pulled after five innings and 77 pitches while displaying decreased velocity. He's evidently bounced back fine, though, and appears good to go this weekend for a matchup against Seattle at home.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Stallings will get a breather while the Rockies conclude their series with the Dodgers with a day game after a night game. Hunter Goodman will fill in behind the plate for Stallings, who went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored while catching eight innings of Wednesday's 7-6 win.

Jones (illness) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Jones will take a seat for the second day in a row while he recovers from an illness. Sean Bouchard will fill in for Jones in left field while batting second.

Blackmon (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

He'll stay on the bench for a second straight game while he manages a tight right hamstring. Blackmon's absence clears the way for Jake Cave and Elehuris Montero to pick up another start in right field and at designated hitter, respectively. The Rockies are expecting Blackmon to avoid a stint on the injured list, though the team could change its tune if he isn't ready to go for Friday's series opener versus the Nationals.

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

Heyward will join fellow left-handed hitters Gavin Lux and Cavan Biggio on the bench for the series finale in Colorado while the Rockies bring lefty Ty Blach to the hill. With Heyward sitting, Miguel Vargas will pick up a start in left field and will bat seventh.

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

Biggio will join fellow left-handed hitters Gavin Lux and Jason Heyward on the bench for the series finale in Colorado while the Rockies send southpaw Ty Blach to the hill. Enrique Hernandez will enter the lineup at third base as Biggio's replacement.

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

The lefty-hitting Lux will sit for the second time in the four-game series while the Rockies send another southpaw (Ty Blach) to the bump. Chris Taylor will fill in for Lux at second base.

Thomas (hamstring) is scheduled to resume his rehab assignment Friday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

After going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI in the third game of his current rehab assignment in the ACL on Monday, Thomas reported what Arizona manager Torey Lovullo termed as "general soreness." Fortunately for Thomas, he looks to have avoided a setback, and he'll be back in action Friday with the soreness having subsided. Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona adds that Thomas is also scheduled to play in an ACL game Saturday, and if all goes well, the outfielder could shift his rehab assignment to a higher-level affiliate next week. Thomas has been on the shelf since April 1 with a strained left hamstring and was pulled off his initial rehab assignment in early May after he experienced renewed discomfort.

Gibson said Thursday that he feels fine after being scratched from a scheduled start Wednesday in Miami due to back tightness, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The pitcher even said he's hoping to pitch in relief Thursday against the Giants, although that seems unlikely. It's not clear when Gibson might make his next start, but it sounds like a stint on the injured list can safely be ruled out.