MLB Player News

Votto (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto began easing back into hitting drills about a week ago and evidently things must have gone well. The Reds have not set a target date for his return to the lineup, as they no doubt want to see how his shoulder responds in game action first. Votto has been on the shelf for the last two weeks with a left shoulder strain, which is the same shoulder he had surgically repaired last year.

India (foot) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

India has been sidelined since late July with plantar fasciitis in his left foot but is ready to test things out in a game setting. He is expected to be activated Tuesday ahead of the Reds' series in Detroit. Cincinnati will have some lineup juggling to do once the 26-year-old returns, but with Matt McLain (oblique) also currently sidelined, India should be starting most days.

Buehler (elbow) will not pitch for the Dodgers in 2023.

Buehler has been on the shelf all season while recovering from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in August 2022. He threw two scoreless innings during his first rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. However, with the Dodgers shifting their focus to getting Buehler ready for the start of 2024, it's unclear whether the 29-year-old righty will continue making rehab appearances in the minors.

The Marlins are expected to select De Jesus' contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

The 26-year-old has posted a 4.97 ERA and 58:48 K:BB over 79.2 innings with Jacksonville this season. De Jesus will give the Marlins' bullpen some much-needed length and will be making his major-league debut whenever he gets into a game.

Falter struck out three over 3.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen Wednesday but didn't factor into the decision in the Pirates' 5-4 win over the Brewers. He gave up one hit and no walks in the 44-pitch outing.

For his second appearance in a row, the 26-year-old southpaw worked behind an opening pitcher, as Colin Selby got the starting nod Wednesday and covered one inning before turning the game over to Falter. Between his last two outings, he has struck out five batters while allowing just one earned run on two hits and one walk across 7.1 innings, so the Pirates could be incentivized to continue deploying him as a bulk reliever rather than a traditional starter.

Morel is out of the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Diamondbacks.

Morel had started the last two games after being out of the lineup for the three prior contests. The Cubs are utilizing Mike Tauchman in the designated hitter spot Friday, with Cody Bellinger playing center field and Jeimer Candelario covering first base.

The Reds list Spiers as their probable starting pitcher for Saturday's home game against the Cardinals.

Though Hunter Greene (illness) is scheduled to return from the COVID-19 list to start Sunday's series finale, the Reds will still have an opening in the rotation for Spiers this weekend with Ben Lively (illness) and Brandon Williamson (illness) still on the mend and with Graham Ashcraft (toe) recently landing on the 15-day IL. Due to the Reds' depleted rotation, Spiers made the jump from Double-A Chattanooga to the majors last weekend and took a no-decision in a 15-7 loss to the Cubs, striking out seven while allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. The 25-year-old right-hander doesn't make for an inspiring streaming option against St. Louis and could be sent back to the minors immediately after Saturday's start.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Miguel Amaya will do the catching for Jameson Taillon in the afternoon tilt at Wrigley Field. Gomes had started three of the last four behind the plate for the Cubs.

Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

He's giving up his roster spot to Brad Boxberger, who is back following a long stint on the injured list. Thompson had been scored upon in each of his last three relief appearances, yielding a total of five runs over 5.1 innings.

Boxberger (forearm) was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Boxberger has been sidelined since mid-May with a right forearm strain but is finally ready to rejoin the Cubs' bullpen after making eight rehab appearances, the last four of which were scoreless. He could be eased back into a high-leverage role but eventually should work as a setup man.