MLB Player News

Ohtani (knee) is expected to make his first start of the second half Wednesday against the Phillies, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Knee irritation kept Ohtani from making his final start on the mound before the All-Star break. He addressed the issue by receiving an injection of lubricant during the break, rather than having his knee drained, and he now seems to be back on track toward resuming his duties as a pitcher. He will continue to serve as the Dodgers' regular designated hitter in the meantime and make his eighth consecutive start at DH against the Yankees on Friday.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Friday that the outlook for Woodruff's right shoulder injury "isn't good," Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Woodruff was diagnosed earlier this month with an injury to his right anterior shoulder capsule. He is expected to address the media Sunday regarding next steps, but another shoulder surgery is possible. Woodruff is already on the 60-day injured list and ineligible for activation until early September.

Jones will no longer make a start for the Pirates on Friday after their game versus the Guardians was postponed due to air quality conditions.

The contest will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday. Jones will presumably take the ball in one of those games, though it's unclear at this point which one.

Hall (pectoral) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Hall reached up to 95-to-96 mph with his fastball in the session and threw all of his pitches. The left-hander could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Sunday and believes he will be ready to rejoin the Milwaukee bullpen after making 2-to-3 rehab appearances in the minors. Hall has been shelved since early June with a left pectoral strain.

Julien is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Reds.

After making five straight starts at second base against right-handed pitching, the lefty-swinging Julien has now sat out two straight versus righties. Willi Castro will man the keystone for the Rockies on Friday.

Carrigg is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Reds.

Carrigg went 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts in his last five games before the All-Star break and will begin the first game of the second half on the bench. Mickey Moniak, Jake McCarthy and Tyler Freeman will patrol the outfield for the Rockies in Friday's series opener.

Harrison (elbow) underwent an MRI over the All-Star break and is aiming to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Harrison landed on the 15-day injured list last weekend with tightness on the outside of his left elbow. The MRI results haven't yet been reviewed, but Harrison is scheduled to meet with his doctor Friday and is expected to get the green light to resume mound work this weekend. Harrison could have a chance at returning from the IL before the end of July.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that he hopes Acuna (hamstring) will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list before the end of the team's homestand next Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Acuna has played three rehab games in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and was transferred to Triple-A Gwinnett earlier Friday to continue his rehab assignment. He was used in the designated hitter slot for all three contests in the FCL, and Atlanta likely needs to see Acuna play right field before reinstating him from the IL. Acuna has been shelved since early June due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.

Suarez (elbow) played catch on the field at Truist Park on Friday, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.

Suarez landed on the 15-day injured list nearly one month ago due to right elbow inflammation. He will need to complete mound work and throw to hitters before perhaps going out on a rehab assignment prior to his activation. A clearer picture regarding a return timeline for the setup man should become available as he continues his throwing progression.

The Brewers optioned Koenig to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

He's being dispatched to the minors in order to clear a spot on the active roster for Lance McCullers. Koenig was roughed up for five runs without recording an out in his final appearance before the All-Star break Sunday versus the Pirates.