MLB Player News

De La Cruz is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.

For the second time in as many matchups with a left-handed pitcher (David Peterson), the switch-hitting De La Cruz will take a seat. Noelvi Marte will fill in at shortstop for De La Cruz, who is stuck in a 1-for-20 funk at the plate over his last seven contests.

O'Neill is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The Cardinals have been giving O'Neill regular off days down the stretch while he deals with a persistent knee issue. Richie Palacios will be in left field for this one.

Contreras (hand) is at catcher and batting fifth Friday versus the Phillies in his return to the lineup, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Contreras exited Tuesday's game and didn't play Wednesday because of a bruised right hand, but he's back in there following Thursday's off day. The 31-year-old carries a .940 second-half OPS into play Friday.

Votto is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.

With lefty David Peterson on the mound for New York, the lefty-hitting Votto will take a seat to begin Friday's contest. Spencer Steer will start at first base.

The Pirates reinstated Davis (hand) from the injured list Friday.

A strained right hand forced Davis onto the injured list Aug. 21, and he began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday. Davis impressively went 8-for-13 with a homer, two RBI and three runs scored across four games during his assignment, so he'll be swinging a hot bat as he slides back in as Pittsburgh's primary right fielder. Vinny Capra was optioned to Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

The Pirates optioned Capra to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

The return of Henry Davis (hand) from the injured list will push Capra off the active roster and back to the minors. Capra has played in just nine games this season for Pittsburgh, going 3-for-18 with an RBI and three runs scored.

Conforto (hamstring) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Conforto had been set to return Thursday before that game got rained out. He'll return Friday instead and will get to play in Coors Field for his first series back. Conforto missed three weeks of action with a strained left hamstring and is skipping a rehab assignment.

Schmitt was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Schmitt loses his roster spot with Michael Conforto (hamstring) returning from the injured list. The rookie infielder has not been able to get things going offensively to this point at the big-league level, putting up just a .553 OPS in 88 contests.

Young (COVID-19) has been sent to Triple-A Louisville to begin a rehab assignment, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Young was one of several Reds players to go on the COVID-19 injured list recently, but he has now been cleared for game action. He shouldn't need a lengthy rehab stint considering he's been out just under a week.

Fairchild (COVID-19) has begun a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Fairchild landed on the COVID-19 injured list last weekend but is now feeling well enough to ramp things back up. He's eligible to return Saturday, but the Reds might wait until early next week when they return home to activate him.