MLB Player News

The Nationals signed Ramirez to a minor-league contract Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Ramirez was released by the Rays earlier this week after hitting just .268/.284/.305 in 48 games. The 29-year-old is a career .287/.325/.408 hitter and has slashed .322/.357/.445 against left-handed pitching. Ramirez will report to Triple-A Rochester for now but is a good bet to be added to the Nationals' roster sooner rather than later, especially with Joey Gallo (hamstring) expected to miss significant time.

Contreras (forearm) is targeting a return in late June, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

Contreras has resumed taking batting practice and hopes to be cleared to begin a rehab assignment early next week. If that happens, a return sometime during the Cardinals' June 22-30 homestand is likely. It would be at least a couple weeks quicker than he was initially expected back following surgery in early May to repair a fractured forearm.

Lopez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Nationals.

Lopez has been operating as the Marlins' primary second baseman, but his production has slowed in June with just a .477 OPS. He'll get a day off to regroup while Vidal Brujan handles the keystone.

Chisholm is not in the lineup for Saturday's contest against the Nationals.

It's a rare day off for the lefty-hitting Chisholm as the Nationals send southpaw DJ Herz to the bump. Dane Myers is getting the start in center field.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Saturday that Williams (back) is expected to be cleared to throw off a mound soon, Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic reports.

Murphy also added that Williams remains on track to return just after the All-Star break, although that would seem to be a tentative timetable given that the reliever has yet to resume throwing off a mound. Williams is working his way back from multiple stress fractures in his back. Trevor Megill has operated as the Brewers' primary closer with Williams on the shelf.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Friday's loss to the Cardinals that Hendricks is likely to take Jordan Wicks' (oblique) spot in the rotation, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Hendricks came on in relief for the injured Wicks in the second inning Friday and tossed 4.1 scoreless frames. The veteran right-hander has been disastrous on the whole this season with an 8.20 ERA, but he hasn't been scored upon over his last 8.2 innings out of the bullpen. Hendricks would tentatively be lined up to start Wednesday at home versus the Giants.

The Cubs recalled Thompson from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Thompson will provide a fresh arm for a bullpen that was needed to cover 7.1 innings Friday. He holds a 4.97 ERA and 19:6 K:BB over 12.2 relief innings during his time with the Cubs this season.

The Cubs placed Wicks on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right oblique strain, Taylor McGregor reports.

Wicks had to be pulled from Friday's start against the Cardinals in the second inning due to the injury. It's unclear what grade the strain is, so it's difficult to project a return date. Typically, even low-grade oblique strains result in absences beyond the minimum 15 days. Kyle Hendricks will slide into Wicks' rotation spot.

Laureano will start in right field and bat ninth in Saturday's game versus the Rays.

Atlanta will deploy Adam Duvall, Jarred Kelenic and Laureano as its starting outfield Saturday, and it could be the regular setup for a while with Michael Harris (hamstring) joining Ronald Acuna (knee) on the injured list. Laureano had a lowly .494 OPS in 31 games with the Guardians earlier this season before getting released. He seemed to find his footing at Triple-A Gwinnett with a 1.028 OPS and three homers in 14 contests prior to being called up Saturday.

Kelenic will start in center field and bat leadoff in Saturday's game versus the Rays.

With Michael Harris (hamstring) joining Ronald Acuna (knee) on the shelf, Atlanta has lost its last two leadoff hitters against right-handed pitching. Kelenic will get the next crack at the job, which is quite a promotion given that he hadn't previously batted higher than seventh this season. This is also his first start of the season in center field.