MLB Player News

Alzolay (forearm) is set to advance to facing live hitters this week, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Alzolay already has a few successful bullpen sessions under his belt and is ready to take the next step in his recovery from the mild right forearm strain that has kept him sidelined since Sept. 10. He still has an outside shot of being able to return before the end of the regular season, though the clock is ticking. Julian Merryweather has been drawing the majority of the save chances for the wild-card-hunting Cubs.

Stewart is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins.

Tim Locastro, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil will start across the outfield for the Mets as they take on left-hander Braxton Garrett. Stewart has batted just .188 with a .694 OPS in 41 plate appearances versus southpaws this year. He carries a .959 OPS in 126 plate appearances versus righties.

Alvarez (finger) is starting at catcher and batting seventh Tuesday versus Miami.

Alvarez made an early exit from Sunday's series finale at Philadelphia because of a bruised finger on his left hand, but it was never a serious concern. He's gone hitless over his last six games and will try to snap that streak Tuesday against the Marlins and left-hander Braxton Garrett.

Nimmo (undisclosed) is back in the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins.

Nimmo will start in center field and bat leadoff versus the Marlins and left-hander Braxton Garrett after sitting out Sunday's series finale at Philadelphia due to general soreness. Nimmo, 30, boasts a .333/.394/.633 slash line in 99 plate appearances since the beginning of September.

The Brewers recalled Rea from Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old right-hander returns to Milwaukee's roster as a long reliever with Trevor Megill going on paternity leave. Rea has compiled a 4.78 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 102:38 K:BB in 118.2 innings (21 starts, three relief appearances) this season at the major-league level.

The Brewers placed Megill on the paternity list Tuesday.

Megill will miss at least part of Milwaukee's three-game series against the visiting Cardinals as he welcomes a new addition to his growing family. Colin Rea has been summoned from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding roster move.

McLain aggravated his right oblique Sunday and has been shut down for the remainder of the season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

McLain was on the cusp of returning to the Reds following a nearly four-week absence for a right oblique strain, but the injury reappeared as he was playing in a minor-league rehab game this weekend with Triple-A Louisville. A fresh round of imaging scans taken Monday revealed it to be a Grade 2 strain, so he can be ruled out for any potential postseason run as well. The 24-year-old infielder finishes his breakout rookie campaign with a .290/.357/.507 batting line, 16 homers, 50 RBI, 14 steals and 65 runs scored across 89 major-league games.

McLain (oblique) will not be activated from the injured list ahead of Tuesday's game at Cleveland, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

McLain apparently needs at least one more day to recover from the right oblique strain that sent him to the IL in late August. The 24-year-old infielder spent the weekend on a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville and went 1-for-6 with a single, a walk and three strikeouts. He played shortstop for Louisville on Saturday and then moved to second base Sunday.

Fraley is absent from the lineup Tuesday versus the Guardians.

Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl and Will Benson will start across the outfield for the visiting Reds as Joey Votto fills the DH role. Fraley has slashed just .233/.327/.326 in 49 plate appearances since returning Sept. 1 from a stress fracture in his left fourth toe. The injury is expected to eventually require a surgical repair.

Stephenson is out of the lineup Tuesday at Cleveland.

Luke Maile will start at catcher and bat ninth for the Reds as they take on the Guardians and right-hander Lucas Giolito. Stephenson went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Sunday's series finale versus the Pirates and carries a disappointing .698 OPS through 504 plate appearances this season.