MLB Player News

The Nationals have demoted Parker to the bullpen, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Parker has a 7.19 ERA in the second half and a 5.85 ERA over 30 starts for the Nationals this season. He should get another opportunity to compete for a spot in the rotation next season, but for the rest of this year he'll likely be a low-leverage reliever. The Nationals had been using a six-man rotation and will now revert to a traditional five-man setup.

Busch is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Busch will dodge a same-hand matchup with Nick Lodolo as Carlos Santana bats seventh and plays first base. Busch is 9-for-30 (.300) with three home runs in his last eight games.

Bart is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Athletics.

Bart had started three of the past four games and homered in the Pirates' last game Wednesday, but he'll get a breather during Friday's series opener. Henry Davis is at catcher and batting ninth.

House is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

House will yield to Paul DeJong at third base Friday after making three consecutive starts at the position. House is 9-for-43 (.209) with two home runs in September.

Pham is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Athletics.

Since homering Sept. 9, Pham has gone hitless in his last six games. Jack Suwinski will patrol left field and bat seventh in Pham's stead.

Lowder (oblique/forearm) recently underwent an MRI on his right shoulder that came back negative, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Reds manager Terry Francona noted that Lowder -- who hasn't pitched since Sept. 13 -- was having trouble recovering in between appearances. While imaging came back clean, Lowder's rehab will be slowed, which effectively ends his season. He's been limited to just five rehab appearances this season due to forearm, oblique and now shoulder issues.

Mullins is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Washington.

The Nationals haven't formally announced their starting pitcher Friday, but it's expected to be southpaw Andrew Alvarez. Regardless, the lefty-hitting Mullins will take a seat, as Jose Siri roams center field. In his last seven games, Mullins is 5-for-18 (.278).

McNeil is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Nationals.

McNeil had started each of the previous seven contests but managed only one hit over that stretch, so he'll get a day off to regroup. Brett Baty will handle second base and bat eighth for the Mets.

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs.

Stephenson started Thursday's series opener and helped steer Hunter Greene to a shutout, but he'll get a breather in the second game of the series. Jose Trevino is at catcher and batting eighth for the Reds.

Stewart is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Stewart had started each of the previous six contests but will get a breather Friday after going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Thursday's game versus the Cubs. Spencer Steer is handling first base and Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) has returned to the lineup at third base.