MLB Player News

Ruiz isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Ruiz will grab a seat on the bench Friday after going just 4-for-21 at the plate since the beginning of July. Harry Ford will fill in as Washington's catcher and bat sixth.

The Padres optioned Duran to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

With Freddy Fermin (head) now back from the injured list, the Padres will send Duran back down to the minors to avoid carrying three catchers on their active roster. The 28-year-old backstop has slashed just .146/.222/.305 across 91 plate appearances with the big club this season but would likely return to San Diego if the Friars' catcher depth is tested again later in the year.

The Padres reinstated Fermin (head) from the injured list Friday.

Fermin has been on the shelf since July 3 with a head bruise but began playing in rehab games July 8 and has since gone 3-for-12 with a walk and two RBI in three contests. Now fully healthy, he'll return to the active roster for the start of the second half but will remain on the bench Friday while Luis Campusano starts behind the plate. Rodolfo Duran was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Perdomo (hand) will start at shortstop and bat second Friday against the Cardinals, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Perdomo received a cortisone shot in his left hand during the All-Star break to combat hand issues that he's dealt with over the course of his career, but it won't cause him to miss any games as the D-backs begin their second-half schedule. The 26-year-old has taken a step back this season after enjoying a breakout campaign in 2025, and he's slashing just .225/.311/.325 in 10 games since the beginning of July.

Marte isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies.

After going 3-for-16 in his final five games before the All-Star break, Marte will retreat to the bench Friday while JJ Bleday, TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer form the Reds' outfield trio.

The Cardinals designated Pozo for assignment Friday.

The Cardinals selected Scott Blewett from Triple-A Memphis on Friday to fill a bullpen spot while JoJo Romero (appendicitis) is on the IL, leaving Pozo as the odd man out. The 29-year-old backstop has gone 8-for-33 in the big leagues this season and owns a .642 OPS through 86 plate appearances in the minors.

The Cardinals selected Blewett's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Blewett exercised an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Cards earlier in the week, though St. Louis still held the right to decide whether to add him to their 40-man roster or allow him to walk in free agency. With JoJo Romero (appendicitis) now on the injured list, the team will opt for the former and give Blewett a chance to work with the big club. The 30-year-old righty has put up a 5.18 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 48.2 innings at Triple-A this season, so he will likely be limited to low-leverage work in the majors.

The Cardinals placed Romero on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Tuesday, due to appendicitis.

Romero has been one of the most reliable members of St. Louis' bullpen as of late, allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out nine batters and walking four across his last 10 innings, but he'll now have to wait until at least July 29 to make his first appearance of the second half. Scott Blewett will come up from Triple-A Memphis to fill the vacancy in the bullpen.

Song isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals.

Song will retreat to the bench to begin the first game of San Diego's second-half schedule after going 2-for-18 with three walks, four RBI and three runs in his final six games before the All-Star break. Manny Machado will cover the hot corner with Song on the bench, opening up the DH spot for Miguel Andujar.

Campusano (abdomen) will start at catcher and bat ninth Friday against the Royals.

Campusano was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of Sunday's first-half finale due to abdominal soreness, but he now appears to be feeling better after getting a chance to recover during the break. He's gone 6-for-18 with five walks, a homer and four runs scored since returning from a fractured toe July 4.