MLB Player News

Williams was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Saturday's game against the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Ke'Bryan Hayes was placed on the injured list with a back issue, so Williams could see some reps in the infield in the short term. Williams was optioned Friday and never actually got into a Triple-A game. He has a .239/.271/.348 slash line with zero home runs and one steal in 51 plate appearances in the majors.

Contreras was designated for assignment Saturday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Contreras was out of minor-league options and had a 5.05 FIP and 1.65 WHIP in 12 appearances out of the big-league bullpen, so he was deemed expendable. At the peak of his fantasy value in 2021, Contreras sat 95-97 mph with his fastball as a starting pitcher, but he has averaged under 95 mph in back-to-back seasons, even while working in shorter stints out of the bullpen.

Hayes was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a back issue, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Hayes hasn't played since Tuesday amid a 3-for-30 slump, and perhaps the back issue is part of the reason he's only hit one home run in 35 games. Alika Williams is getting the call from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Robles is starting in right field and batting ninth Saturday in Boston.

He has started over Nick Senzel in back-to-back games against right-handed pitchers (both Senzel and Robles bat right-handed), which allows the Nationals to plug Jesse Winker in at designated hitter to improve the outfield defense. Robles returned Friday from a hamstring injury and went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base. At least until the Nationals promote James Wood, it looks like Robles will get to play a decent amount in the short term.

Senzel is out of Saturday's lineup against the Red Sox.

He will sit for a second day in a row with the Nationals facing a right-handed starting pitcher, and on both occasions Victor Robles has picked up the start in the outfield with Jesse Winker sliding to designated hitter. Senzel is hitting .214 with a 42.4 percent strikeout rate in 28 at-bats this month.

Schwarber (back) will sit for Saturday's game against the Marlins, as expected.

He left Friday's game in the ninth inning with a sore back and told reporters he'd probably take Saturday off, which is indeed the case. Cristian Pache draws the start in left field with Whit Merrifield starting at third base and Alec Bohm getting the nod at designated hitter. Schwarber's back was still a bit tight Saturday, per manager Rob Thompson, and they're taking it day by day, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Anderson was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Phillies with lower-back tightness, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Vidal Brujan will shift to shortstop while Otto Lopez enters the lineup at second base.

Steer went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and two RBI in Friday's 4-2 win over San Francisco.

Steer's first-inning, two-out double plated the Reds' first run, then his third-inning single tied the game. He has four RBI in the last two games and leads the Reds with 27 runs driven in.

Friedl went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 4-2 win over the Giants.

Friedl's fourth-inning double was his first extra-base hit since returning from a fractured wrist. It also produced the go-ahead run for Cincinnati, which snapped an eight-game losing streak. Friedl is 4-for-18 with one stolen base in four contests since his return.

The Marlins optioned Villalobos to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

Villalobos appeared in three major-league games after having his contract selected by Miami on May 5. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings. The move corresponds with the Marlins reinstating southpaw Jesus Luzardo (elbow) from the 15-day IL.