MLB Player News

Cruz is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

Southpaw Jose Quintana is toeing the rubber for the Mets, so Pirates manager Derek Shelton felt this was a good time to give the left-handed hitting Cruz a breather. The fact that Cruz is 0-for-9 with seven strikeouts over the last two games was probably also a factor. Alika Williams will fill in at shortstop Tuesday.

Atlanta placed Albies on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a fractured right great toe.

Albies suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch Monday against the Astros, though he never exited the contest. The 27-year-old will now be sidelined for at least the next 10 days, but the absence could be longer depending how the toe heals. Luis Guillorme and David Fletcher, who was added to the major-league roster Tuesday, are likely to see time at second base while Albies is out.

Stewart is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Stewart was held out of the lineup the past two games with the Mets facing left-handed starters, and he's sitting again Tuesday with righty Jared Jones pitching for Pittsburgh. Francisco Alvarez will rest his legs as the designated hitter while Omar Narvaez receives a start behind the plate.

Rogers will move up a day to start Wednesday versus the Giants, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Rogers last started Friday, so he will be pitching on regular rest. He's filling in for A.J. Puk, who is battling an illness.

Puk (illness) won't be available to start Wednesday's game against the Giants, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Puk was initially scheduled to toe the rubber for Monday's series opener but ended up getting pushed back to Wednesday due to an illness. Since he's still feeling under the weather, the Marlins have opted to push Puk back at least one more day, enabling Trevor Rogers to start Wednesday on four days' rest. It's not yet clear when Puk might be ready to take the ball next, but the Marlins have an opening Thursday versus the Cubs and are probably hoping he'll feel well enough to take the hill that day.

Rodgers (illness) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's contest in Philadelphia.

Rodgers was a late scratch from Monday's lineup due to illness and still isn't feeling up to playing. Alan Trejo will again filling in at second base for the Rockies. Trejo went 1-for-3 at the plate in Monday's loss to the Phillies.

Bryant (back/ribs) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies.

It's the third straight start Bryant has missed after he had to be removed from Saturday's game versus the Blue Jays due to soreness in his right ribcage and back. The Rockies will roll with Charlie Blackmon at designated hitter, Elehuris Montero at first base and Michael Toglia in right field.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Graterol (shoulder) threw a "good" bullpen session Monday, MLB.com reports.

Graterol won't be available until around mid-May after the Dodgers initially placed him on the 15-day injured list March 19 before later transferring him to the 60-day IL, but the fact that the right-hander is already in the midst of a throwing progression suggests he should be ready to go around the time he's first eligible to return. He'll likely continue the ramp-up process with multiple bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions over the next couple of weeks before perhaps heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment later this month or in early May.

Bird (0-1) allowed one hit and one unearned run across two-thirds of an inning Monday against the Phillies.

Bird entered the game after other high-leverage options in the Rockies bullpen, most notably Justin Lawrence. With a runner starting the frame on second base, Bird got two quick outs before allowing a single that plated the game-winning run. The Rockies have shuffled reliever roles to begin the season, but Bird still has the only save for the team. It's unclear if he is truly in the mix for saves, as he has allowed at least one earned run in three of his nine appearances and has a 1.66 WHIP with a 4:3 K:B across 9.2 innings.

Lawrence allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning Monday against the Phillies.

Lawrence entered the game in the seventh inning of a tied game to face the Nos. 6-8 hitters in the Phillies lineup. He's made six appearances on the season and entered in non-traditional closer situations in three of his last four outings. Jake Bird has the only save to this point for the Rockies, and he also pitched the 10th inning of Monday's loss.