MLB Player News

Garcia isn't in the Nationals' lineup Friday against the Brewers, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

With southpaw Wade Miley on the mound for Milwaukee, Garcia will be forced to the bench for the start of Friday's game. Michael Chavis will instead start at the keystone while batting seventh.

Smith isn't in the Nationals' lineup Friday against Milwaukee, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Smith will take a seat Friday against left-hander Wade Miley. Joey Meneses will fill in as Washington's first baseman while Carter Kieboom serves as the DH.

Mitchell (shoulder) was cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

There was some fear that Mitchell had been lost for the season when he injured his shoulder sliding into third base April 18, but his chances of returning to Milwaukee before the end of the season are seemingly brighter than ever. Mitchell will likely remain in Nashville for the remainder of the Triple-A season, but he could join the Brewers for the final week of the year and a potential postseason run. The speedy outfielder holds a .286/.341/.462 slash line across 130 plate appearances in his career.

Taylor isn't in the Brewers' lineup Friday against the Nationals.

Taylor will get a breather Friday as the Brewers welcome outfielders Christian Yelich (back) and Mark Canha (wrist) back into their lineup. Taylor has slashed .325/.341/.500 since the start of September, so he figures to remain a consistent piece of a relatively weak Brewers lineup down the stretch.

Canha (wrist) is starting in right field and batting sixth Friday against the Nationals.

Canha has been held out of action since making an early exit from Tuesday's game against Miami due to a sore left wrist. The 34-year-old has given the Brewers' lineup a spark since he joined the team in August, slashing .303/.394/.459 across 142 plate appearances.

Yelich (back) is starting in left field and batting in the leadoff spot Friday against Washington.

Back stiffness has kept Yelich sidelined for the past week, but he'll return to his usual spot at the top of the order Friday against Jake Irvin. The 31-year-old outfielder has been in a slump at the plate recently, but he still holds an .864 OPS against right-handers this season.

Marsh isn't in the Phillies' lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

The lefty-hitting Marsh will take a seat for the start of Friday's game with Zack Thompson taking the mound for St. Louis. Johan Rojas will man center field instead and bat ninth.

Cave isn't in the Phillies' lineup Friday against St. Louis.

Left-hander Zack Thompson will start on the mound for the Cardinals on Friday, so the left-handed bat of Cave will remain in the dugout to begin the game. Cristian Pache will start in left field and bat eighth.

Bard (forearm) threw a live batting practice Friday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Bard resumed throwing Sept. 5 -- two days after he landed on the injured list with right forearm fatigue -- and has now progressed to facing live hitters. The right-hander likely won't get activated from the IL when first eligible Monday, but manager Bud Black said he expects Bard to return before the end of the season.

Hampson isn't in the Marlins' lineup Friday versus Atlanta, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Hampson will get a day off Friday after going 3-for-11 with an RBI during Miami's four-game series with the Brewers. Joey Wendle will cover shortstop and bat ninth while Hampson sits.