MLB Player News

Soto (back) will serve as the Mets' designated hitter and bat third Thursday against the Cubs.

Back tightness prevented Soto from playing in either game of Wednesday's doubleheader, and although the Mets are still holding off on returning him to the field, the fact that he's been cleared to work as the DH is an encouraging sign that the injury isn't bothering him too much. Soto was enjoying a hot streak at the plate before getting hurt, slashing .395/.509/.744 with four homers, eight RBI, eight runs and a 10:4 BB:K across his last 13 games.

Arenado is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Cardinals.

Arenado is getting some rest for the first time in June after starting the first 22 games of the month. During that span, the veteran third baseman slashed .173/.227/.247 with one home run and three doubles in 81 at-bats. Ildemaro Vargas is starting at third base and batting eighth Thursday.

Suzuki isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Suzuki will get a chance to regroup Thursday after playing in both games of Wednesday's twin bill and going 0-for-10 at the plate with six strikeouts. Pedro Ramirez will fill in as Chicago's designated hitter and bat seventh.

Shaw isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Shaw will get a breather Thursday after going 8-for-31 with a homer, eight RBI and seven runs scored across his first 10 games back from the injured list. While he sits, Michael Conforto will pick up a start in right field and bat second.

Kepler is starting in left field and batting fifth versus the Cardinals on Thursday.

Kepler was added to Arizona's active roster Thursday after completing his 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. The starting outfielders for the Diamondbacks on Thursday are Kepler, Tommy Troy and Corbin Carroll, with Lourdes Gurriel slotted as the designated hitter.

Kelly isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Kelly has gone 6-for-15 with 10 RBI and nine runs scored across his last four games, but the Cubs will keep him on the bench to begin Thursday's contest while Miguel Amaya starts behind the plate.

Moreno is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Cardinals.

Moreno sat for the series opener versus the Cardinals on Monday and then went 2-for-6 with two walks and an RBI across Tuesday's and Wednesday's contests. As he sits for the series finale Thursday, Adrian Del Castillo will get the start behind the plate while batting cleanup.

The Diamondbacks transferred Nelson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Nelson landed on the injured list last Friday due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, and his move to the 60-day IL will ensure that he remains out until at least mid-August. The move also creates space on the 40-man roster for Max Kepler, who returned from his 80-game suspension Thursday.

The Pirates are listing Jones (elbow) as their scheduled starter for Saturday's game against the Reds, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jones had to leave his last outing Sunday versus the Rockies after being struck by a comebacker in the pitching elbow. All testing came back clean, however, and Jones appears ready to roll for his next turn through the rotation. The right-hander has been a little shaky in his five starts since coming off the injured list, posting a 5.75 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over 20.1 innings. Jones hasn't thrown more than 77 pitches in any of those five starts and threw 45 on Sunday before departing, so his workload should remain relatively limited.

The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hollowell gave up a solo homer while recording two outs during his appearance Wednesday, and he'll now head back to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Matthew Boyd (shoulder/knee), who is set to start Thursday's game.