MLB Player News

Hayes (back) will start at third base and bat seventh in Friday's game versus the Cubs.

Hayes didn't start the previous two tilts due to a back issue, but he entered Thursday's game against the Cubs as a defensive replacement and is back in the lineup Friday. The 28-year-old enters play Friday having gone hitless over his last five contests.

The Marlins reinstated Tarnok (ankle) from the 15-day injured list Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.

Tarnok has been on the shelf since early September due to a sprained left ankle, but he's been cleared to return after a brief rehab stint. The 26-year-old will head to Jacksonville for the closing week or so of the regular season. He has a 3.19 ERA in 67.2 innings with Jacksonville in 2025.

Atlanta designated Ornelas for assignment Friday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Jhancarlos Lara. It's the second time Ornelas has been designated for assignment this season, as the Rangers booted him off their 40-man roster in May before trading him to Atlanta. He's spent most of the 2025 campaign at the Triple-A level, where he's slashed only .196/.295/.303 in 115 contests.

Atlanta selected Lara's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Lara has split time between the rotation and bullpen at Double-A Columbus and Gwinnett this season, posting a 7.73 ERA and 104:65 K:BB over 68.2 innings. The 22-year-old has electric stuff but has really struggled to throw strikes at every level. Atlanta will take a look at Lara as a bullpen arm down the stretch.

Atlanta optioned Dunning to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Dunning has struggled in a mop-up role with Atlanta, posting a 10.80 ERA over seven appearances. His spot on the roster and in the bullpen will be absorbed by Jhancarlos Lara.

Buehler will follow Taijuan Walker in a tandem start Friday in Arizona, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Aaron Nola will take the ball Saturday and Ranger Suarez will go Sunday for the Phillies. The rotation realignment not only sets up Cristopher Sanchez for the first game of the postseason, it also allows the club to get a look at Buehler in a different role, with the idea that he might be used in long relief in the playoffs. Buehler was solid in his Phillies debut last week against the Royals, striking out three over five innings of one-run ball. He'll have a better chance of picking up a win Friday as the second leg of a piggyback start.

Walker will be piggybacked by Walker Buehler on Friday in Arizona, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Walker will get the ball first in the tandem start. The Phillies initially operated with a six-man rotation when Buehler was added to the mix, but they're realigning things in order to set up Cristopher Sanchez for the first game of the postseason. Walker has struggled lately, collecting a 7.20 ERA and 14:9 K:BB over 25 innings covering his last five starts.

Stewart started at third base and went 0-for-3 in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Cubs.

Stewart manned the hot corner for a second consecutive game with Ke'Bryan Hayes nursing soreness in his back. Hayes, who entered as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning Thursday, is expected to see a specialist by Monday. Presumably, Stewart will continue to start at third base until Hayes is ready to resume a full-time role.

Hayes missed the last two games due to back soreness, Mike Petraglia of MLB.com reports. He did enter Thursday's 1-0 win over the Cubs as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning.

The back issue, which has bothered Hayes previously, cropped up during the Reds' series this week against the Cardinals. Cincinnati manager Terry Francona tried to get him time off then, but Spencer Steer came down with a neck injury. With Steer now back, Hayes can rest up. Francona said the third baseman, who's been managing the pain, could visit with a specialist by Monday. Sal Stewart served as the third baseman the last two games and presumably will continue to get the nod if Hayes misses more time.

Crim went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Thursday's 9-7 loss to Miami.

The rookie cleared the fence twice Thursday with each drive carrying more than 400 feet. Just a week after delivering his first big-league long ball, Crim now owns his first multi-homer performance only 11 games into his MLB career. Since being recalled last week, the 28-year-old has swung the bat well, posting a .261 average (6-for-23) with three homers, a double, seven RBI and four runs scored across his first six games with Colorado since making his MLB debut in May.