MLB Player News

Nimmo (hamstring) is starting as the Mets' designated hitter Saturday versus Cincinnati.

Minor hamstring tightness prevented Nimmo from playing Friday, but the issue appears to have subsided ahead of Saturday's contest. The 31-year-old outfielder has gone just 1-for-21 through six games to begin the year, though he has still managed to draw six walks.

Alvarez isn't in the Mets' lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.

Alvarez has swung a hot bat to begin the year, going 8-for-24 with a homer and four RBI across his first seven games. Omar Narvaez will start behind the plate and bat ninth while the 22-year-old backstop sits.

McCutchen isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's game versus Baltimore, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

McCutchen will get a breather after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts during Friday's series opener. His absence will allow Edward Olivares to serve as Pittsburgh's DH while batting fifth.

Taylor isn't in the Pirates' lineup Saturday against the Orioles, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Taylor saw his seven-game hitting streak come to an end with an 0-for-3 performance Friday, and he'll now get his first day off of the season. Bryan Reynolds, Jack Suwinski and Connor Joe will start across the outfield while Taylor rests.

Manager Mike Shildt said Friday that Machado has been extending distance when playing catch and is "a little ahead of schedule" in terms of rehabbing from offseason elbow surgery, though the Padres won't consider having him return to the field for a few more weeks, 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Machado has been limited exclusively to designated-hitter duties to begin the campaign, and that appears unlikely to change for at least a few more weeks. Nonetheless, Shildt indicated that the veteran third baseman is "in a good place" and has been feeling good after recent throwing sessions. It's uncertain if Machado's offseason surgery has affected his swing, but he's off to a slow start at the plate, slashing .184/.295/.395 with two home runs, seven RBI and a 6:7 BB:K through 44 plate appearances.

Hayes isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Hayes will get his first breather of the year after going 11-for-34 through Pittsburgh's first eight games. Jared Triolo will fill in at the hot corner while Hayes rests, allowing Alika Williams to start at second base and bat ninth.

Davis isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Davis has gone 0-for-12 with six strikeouts across his last three games, so he'll get a day off Saturday to regroup. Joey Bart will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.

Wisdom (back) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Wisdom landed on the injured list just before Opening Day and has now been cleared to test his back in a game setting. The Cubs haven't indicated how long they plan on keeping the 32-year-old in Triple-A, but he remains on track to return sometime around mid-April.

Rosario isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Saturday's game against Philadelphia.

The Phillies will send out left-hander Ranger Suarez to start Saturday's contest, keeping the left-handed bat of Rosario in the dugout. His absence will allow Jacob Young to make a start in center field while batting ninth.

Garcia isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies.

With left-hander Ranger Suarez on the mound for Philadelphia, the lefty-hitting Garcia will step out of the lineup Saturday. Ildemaro Vargas will fill in at the keystone and bat seventh.