MLB Player News

Tauchman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

He'll cede designated-hitter duties to Seiya Suzuki while the Cubs roll out an outfield of Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Cody Bellinger from left to right in the penultimate game of the series. Tauchman's move to the bench comes in the midst of a brief slump at the plate, as he's gone 2-for-18 with two walks over his last five games.

Hoerner (hand) will start at second base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Though Hoerner was diagnosed with a small fracture in his right hand over the weekend, he avoided a stint on the injured list and will make his return to the lineup after missing only four starts. Before his recent absence, Hoerner had gone 0-for-8 over his last three starts, and it may take a bit for him to regain full strength in his hand and recapture the exit velocities he had provided prior to suffering the injury. Fantasy managers in leagues with daily lineup moves may be best served leaving Hoerner on the bench until he resumes producing at a level that warrants keeping him active.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Senga (shoulder/triceps) will throw two more bullpen sessions before progressing to facing hitters, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

On Wednesday, Senga threw his second bullpen session since he was shut down with triceps tightness in late May. The session went well, and he will repeat the step two more times before being cleared to face hitters and eventually heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Senga has already been ruled out for the rest of the first half, but the righty remains optimistic he can be a contributor for the Mets after the All-Star break.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Sosa will get a breather after he went 4-for-20 with three RBI and two runs while starting each of the Phillies' last six games at shortstop. Bryson Stott will move over from the keystone to cover shortstop in Sosa's stead, opening up second base for Whit Merrifield.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Diaz (shoulder) will immediately become the team's closer upon his activation from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Diaz had been part of a committee at closer for the Mets prior to landing on the IL with a right shoulder impingement in late May. However, Mendoza is now ready to restore Diaz to his old role beginning with Thursday's contest against the Marlins. Diaz has converted four of his nine save chances this season while holding a 5.40 ERA and 30:7 K:BB over 20 innings.

Merrifield will start at second base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Merrifield made three consecutive starts in left field last week while the Phillies faced three left-handed pitchers in a row and went 2-for-11 with a home run and four RBI over those contests. Though he still looks to be a short-side platoon player for Philadelphia, Merrifield will re-enter the lineup Wednesday against a righty (Nick Pivetta), filling in for a resting Edmundo Sosa in the middle infield.

Stubbs is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Stubbs is expected to see increased playing time at catcher for the foreseeable future after J.T. Realmuto (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, but Rafael Marchan will get the nod behind the plate Wednesday in what represents his first big-league action since 2021. While making his first start since Realmuto landed on the shelf in Tuesday's 4-1 win, Stubbs went 1-for-4 and nabbed his fourth stolen base of the season.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

D'Arnaud will probably get the start at catcher in Thursday's series finale in Baltimore -- which is a day game after a night game -- but the veteran backstop has seen his playing time take a steady dip since Sean Murphy returned from the injured list May 27. Murphy will get his 11th start in 15 games since his return, with d'Arnaud getting the nod at catcher for the four other contests.

Kelenic is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

The lefty-hitting Kelenic had started in both of Atlanta's previous two matchups with lefty starters, but he'll take a seat Wednesday while the Orioles bring southpaw Cade Povich to the mound. Adam Duvall will move over from right field to cover Kelenic's usual spot in left field while Brian Anderson draws the start in right.

The Marlins optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to JT Chargois (neck), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Ramirez has been excellent out of the Marlins bullpen this season, allowing just one run with a 9:1 K:BB over 9.1 innings. He'll surely be back in the majors before long, but for now, Ramirez will report to Jacksonville.