MLB Player News

Church was removed from Wednesday's game versus the Brewers after the third inning following a hit-by-pitch on the left leg, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Church was struck by a Brandon Sproat offering in the shin area in the second inning. He initially remained in the game but was lifted as the Cardinals took the field to play defense in the top of the fourth. St. Louis should have more on Church's status soon.

The Nationals recalled Kent from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Kent was just claimed off waivers Sunday and will now join the Nationals' bullpen to provide a fresh arm. The 28-year-old made two relief appearances for the Twins earlier this season, allowing five runs (two earned) with a 2:5 K:BB over 3.2 innings.

Bogaerts is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Bogaerts had started every game dating back to April 12, so manager Craig Stammen likely viewed Wednesday's afternoon contest as an opportune time to give the veteran infielder a breather. With Bogaerts on the bench, Fernando Tatis will cover second base and Sung-Mun Song will start at shortstop.

Fermin will start at catcher and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Though Luis Campusano boasts an OPS that's 447 points higher than Fermin's season mark of .511, the latter's defensive acumen appears to be enough to keep him atop the depth chart for now. Fermin will stick in the starting nine Wednesday for the fourth time in six games.

Campusano is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

The playing time at catcher appears to have tilted back in favor of Freddy Fermin, who will draw his fourth start in six games while Campusano is relegated to the bench. Fermin is regarded as the superior defender of the two, but Campusano has been far more productive at the dish with a .958 OPS in 58 plate appearances.

Gilbert is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Gilbert will be left out of the starting nine for the series finale while he's reached base in three of 12 plate appearances through the Giants' first five games of May. San Francisco will shift Jung Hoo Lee over from right field to cover Gilbert's usual spot in center Wednesday.

Miller (back) will throw a bullpen session Thursday before beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Miller was just placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a lower-back strain, but the Giants expect him to be ready for activation when first eligible. The left-hander is one of four pitchers to record a save for the Giants this season and is poised to return to the late-inning mix before the end of next week if all goes well.

Arraez remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres due to a sore thumb, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Per delos Santos, Giants manager Tony Vitello said Tuesday that Arraez's thumb issue initially flared up on the team's previous road trip before rearing its head again during a swing in Monday's 3-2 win in the series opener. The Giants had been hopeful that Arraez would be back in the lineup Wednesday, but he'll instead be given another day off while the team turns to Casey Schmitt at the keystone. Arraez can be viewed as day-to-day heading into Friday's series opener versus the Pirates.

Mitchell was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game in St. Louis due to illness.

The Brewers are idle Thursday, so Mitchell will have two days to rest before attempting to return to action Friday against the Yankees. Jackson Chourio will slide over to center field and Tyler Black will enter the lineup in left field.

Waldron is expected to pitch behind opening pitcher Bradgley Rodriguez in Wednesday's game against the Giants, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Waldron has started in each of his first three appearances of the season with the Padres but has found little success, pitching to a 9.88 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB in 13.2 innings. By turning to Rodriguez to cover the first inning or two of Wednesday's contest, the Padres are hopeful that Waldron will turn in improved results, since he'll perhaps be spared from facing the top of the San Francisco lineup once he enters the game. Even if Waldron fares better in the bulk-relief role, he could be at risk of a more permanent move to the bullpen -- or being designated for assignment -- in the near future. Lucas Giolito is close to being ready to join the big-league rotation after building up to four innings and 78 pitches Tuesday in his latest minor-league rehab start.