MLB Player News

Heyward (back) continues to deal with soreness and will be required to complete a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts didn't indicate when Heyward might get the green light to head out on a rehab stint, as the club will likely wait until he's feeling closer to 100 percent before allowing him to move to the next step. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez should continue to see an uptick in opportunities in the corner outfield while Heyward returns to health.

Lipscomb was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Lipscomb got regular at-bats at third base while Nick Senzel was on the injured list, but with Senzel back in action Lipscomb will head back to Rochester to play every day. The 23-year-old has slashed .224/.278/.286 with one home run and four stolen bases over 14 games with the big club.

The Nationals reinstated Senzel (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Senzel landed on the 10-day IL after he fractured his right thumb while fielding grounders before the Nationals' season opener. He played three games with Double-A Harrisburg as part of his rehab assignment and went 4-for-7 with one double, one RBI and three walks. Senzel is starting at third base and batting sixth for Monday's game against the Dodgers, per Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com.

Carpenter (oblique) is currently traveling with the Cardinals and took infield practice in Arizona over the weekend, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sidelined since early April with a right oblique strain, Carpenter seems to be making progress in his recovery, though it's unclear where he stands in his hitting progression. With that, a return timetable is still up in the air for the 14-year veteran. Carpenter appeared in three games -- including a couple starts at DH -- for the Cardinals early on this season, going 3-for-10 with three singles and a run scored.

The Nationals placed Ruiz (illness) on the 10-day injured list Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz hadn't played since April 8 while recovering from influenza, but the Nationals could no longer afford to go on with just one healthy catcher (Riley Adams) heading into Monday's series opener in Los Angeles. Since Ruiz's placement on the IL is retroactive last Friday, he'll be eligible for activation as soon as next Sunday. Drew Millas was called up from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move, but Adams is expected to see the bulk of the starts behind the plate while Ruiz is on the shelf.

O'Brien (forearm) will begin a throwing program this week, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

An MRI on O'Brien's right forearm showed no structural damage, but the team decided to shut him down for a few weeks regardless. It sounds like O'Brien is about ready to begin ramping up his throwing, and provided he avoids any setbacks, a return in mid-to-late May seems plausible. O'Brien has made single appearances in the majors each of the past three seasons, all for different teams (Reds, Mariners, Cardinals).

The Nationals recalled Millas from Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Millas was previously called up April 10 and started that game against the Giants at catcher, going 1-for-3, before heading right back to Triple-A. This latest move corresponds with Washington placing fellow catcher Keibert Ruiz (illness) on the 10-day IL, retroactive to April 12, so Millas should stick with the big-league club for a week or so.

Vanasco is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City by the Dodgers, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Vanasco has allowed one run with an 8:6 K:BB over four relief innings with OKC this season. The 25-year-old will provide some bullpen protection for the Dodgers and will be making his major-league debut if he enters a game.

The Nationals recalled Parker from Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Parker started in one game for Rochester, tossing four scoreless innings with one hit, one walk and five strikeouts. The 24-year-old left-hander will make his major-league debut Monday against a formidable Dodgers lineup.

The Dodgers are expected to recall Hurt from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear whether Hurt will be used as a starter or reliever, as the Dodgers have an opening in the rotation Tuesday. He made the Opening Day roster as a member of the bullpen, but the 25-year-old has mostly been a starter in the minors. He's made two starts for Oklahoma City this season, allowing three runs with an 8:4 K:BB over four innings.