MLB Player News

Ahmed (wrist) is slated to take batting practice in the coming days, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ahmed has been sidelined since early may with a left wrist sprain but is almost ready to face live pitching. It's not clear whether the Giants will ask Ahmed to go out on a rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list. Marco Luciano and Brett Wisely have been filling in at shortstop while Ahmed is on the shelf.

Conforto (hamstring) could begin a rehab assignment later this week, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Conforto was cleared to resume baseball activities last week as he works his way back from a right hamstring strain, although it's uncertain whether he's done any running yet. He's been on the shelf for a little more than two weeks and shouldn't need too many rehab games before being activated, assuming all goes well.

Slater (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Sacramento if he's given clearance Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Slater has missed more than two weeks of action with concussion symptoms, but it sounds like he's doing better and is on the precipice of games. Because he hasn't missed much time, Slater's rehab assignment should be brief, provided there are no complications.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Matz (back) will throw a "light" bullpen session Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Matz began playing catch last week following a pair of pain-killing injections in his lower back and he's almost ready to starting throwing off a mound at low intensity. The left-hander still looks to be several weeks away from a potential return from the 15-day injured list.

Nootbaar (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game in Cincinnati.

Nootbaar was a late scratch from Sunday's lineup due to a hamstring issue. With tough left-hander Nick Lodolo on the mound for the Reds on Monday, it makes sense to hold Nootbaar out again. Cincinnati does another another southpaw scheduled to start Tuesday in Andrew Abbott, so it's possible Nootbaar could remain out until Wednesday. For what it's worth, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday of Nootbaar's injury that "we don't see it lingering," per John Denton of MLB.com. Dylan Carlson will be in right field Monday.

Marsh is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.

Left-hander Blake Snell will be toeing the slab for the Giants, offering the Phillies an opportunity to give the left-handed hitting Marsh a breather. Right-handed batter Cristian Pache will patrol left field.

Stott is not in the lineup for Monday's game in San Francisco.

The Giants are starting reigning National League Cy Young winner and southpaw Blake Snell on Monday, so the left-handed hitting Stott will receive a day off. Whit Merrifield will handle second base for the Phillies.

Wade (hamstring) will start at first base and bat second in Monday's game versus the Phillies.

Wade had to exit a game this past Friday after tweaking his hamstring, causing him to miss the next two contests. He's feeling well enough to give it a go in this one, though, as the Giants take on right-hander Taijuan Walker and the Phillies.

Hoskins (hamstring) plans to advance to hitting on the field Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hoskins will clear a significant hurdle in his recovery from a right hamstring strain, as Monday's activity will mark his first time hitting on the field since he landed on the injured list. While there is still no set timetable for his return to action, it sounds like Hoskins isn't too far off from a rehab assignment. "I feel as good as I can," Hoskins said.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Friedl (thumb) could return as soon as late this week or early next week, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Just six games into his return from a fractured right wrist, Friedl suffered a broken left thumb as a result of a hit-by-pitch. Fortunately for Friedl and the Reds, it doesn't sound like he will have to miss nearly as much action this time around. Bell has already said he thinks Friedl could bypass a rehab assignment.