MLB Player News

Ballesteros isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Ballesteros will take a day to regroup after going 0-for-11 at the plate across his last four games. Michael Conforto will step in as the Cubs' designated hitter and bat second.

Waldschmidt is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.

Though Arizona officially called up the 23-year-old earlier Friday after he posted a .877 OPS with three home runs and six steals in 34 games at Triple-A Reno, he'll be spared from a tough matchup with Mets righty Nolan McLean. With Arizona designating Alek Thomas for assignment, the expectation is that Waldschmidt will eventually settle in as the team's new primary center fielder, but Jorge Barrosa will occupy the position for the series opener.

The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

The right-hander was called up from Iowa and will return there after he allowed two runs over 1.2 innings Thursday against the Reds. Ethan Roberts (finger) was reinstated off the injured list to take Hollowell's spot in Chicago's bullpen.

The Cubs reinstated Roberts (finger) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

The right-hander has been on the shelf nearly a month due to a right middle finger laceration, but he's ready to rejoin the Cubs after a five-outing rehab assignment. Roberts has made just three appearances in the majors this year and has pitched 2.2 scoreless frames.

Garcia (wrist) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

It's a fourth straight absence for Garcia due to a minor right wrist/hand sprain. A trip to the injured list hasn't been viewed as necessary to this point, but that may change soon if the 25-year-old misses more time. Curtis Mead is picking up another start at first base for the Nationals.

Snell (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday to make his season debut for the Dodgers against Atlanta, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Snell had been scheduled for one more rehab outing, but the Dodgers have elected to bring him back early. The left-hander threw only 55 pitches over four innings in his third and final rehab start, so he will be working with a limited pitch count Saturday. Snell is coming back from left shoulder fatigue, which had bothered him since last season. He allowed four runs (three earned) with a 10:2 K:BB over eight innings in three rehab outings.

The Diamondbacks activated Locklear (shoulder/elbow) from the 10-day injured list Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Reno.

Locklear has completed the rehab from his elbow and shoulder operations and homered in his first rehab game at Reno. However, with the emergence of Ildemaro Vargas at first base and Carlos Santana (thigh) also due back soon, Locklear will remain at Reno for now.

The Diamondbacks designated Thomas for assignment Friday.

Thomas is a gifted defensive center fielder, but the bat hasn't come around, as he sports a career .230/.273/.361 slash line over nearly 1,500 plate appearances at the major-league level. He just turned 26 and is under team control through 2028, so Thomas should draw interest via waivers from teams in need of center field help.

Bohm is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies.

It's the second straight day on the bench for Bohm, who ranks 176th out of 177 qualifiers with a lowly .433 OPS. Edmundo Sosa will again handle third-base duties for the Phillies while Bohm regroups.

Suarez (oblique) took 50 swings Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Reds manager Terry Francona noted Friday that Suarez's left oblique strain is about 50 percent better. Suarez will rest for a few days after Thursday's workout before ramping things back up. While the veteran slugger is improving, his return is not imminent. Nathaniel Lowe will continue to be the Reds' primary designated hitter while Suarez is out.