MLB Player News

The Phillies selected Buehler's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Buehler will start Friday's game against the Royals as the Phillies shift to a six-man rotation. The right-hander made one start at Lehigh Valley after being signed to a minor-league contract Aug. 31, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out five over three innings. He was released by the Red Sox last month after posting a 5.45 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 84:55 K:BB in 112.1 innings. The Phillies will take a look at the 31-year-old down the stretch to evaluate his capacity to help out their pitching staff in the playoffs.

Marte (foot) is expected to be in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Friday's game against Minnesota, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Marte departed Wednesday's game against the Giants with a bruised right foot. After X-rays came back negative, manager Torey Lovullo said he believed Marte would be available Friday. Marte remains on track to start that contest, but a determination won't be made until he tests his foot injury before the game.

Soraka (shoulder) will be returned from his minor-league rehab assignment, and his next appearance will be for the Cubs, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports Friday.

Soroka threw 2.1 innings with Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, tossing 38 pitches. He's expected to rejoin the big-league roster in the coming days, though it's unclear when exactly the move will come. Considering he's not stretched out to handle a starter's workload and the Cubs have five healthy starters on the active roster, Soroka seems slated for a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. The 27-year-old has started in all 17 of his big-league appearances this season -- 16 with Washington, one with Chicago.

Palencia (shoulder) played catch Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

It's the first time he's thrown since he suffered a right shoulder strain Sunday and landed on the 15-day injured list Monday. It's a good sign that he's already playing catch, and the Cubs will map out a rehab plan for Palencia based on how he comes out of Friday's throwing session. Palencia will be eligible to return Sept. 23, but it's too soon to know whether he has a chance to be back by that date. Andrew Kittredge has the lone save for the Cubs since Palencia went down, and Brad Keller is also expected to be in the mix to close games.

Suzuki is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays due to sickness, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

At first glance, it appeared Suzuki was slated for a day off Friday after making 12 consecutive starts. However, the 30-year-old is actually feeling under the weather. His absence allows for Moises Ballesteros to draw a start at DH.

Tucker (calf) will not begin running until after the weekend and is unlikely to be activated from the injured list when he becomes eligible Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 28-year-old is nursing a left calf strain, and while he's been cleared to hit and throw, Tucker hasn't started running yet. He's expected to require more than the minimum 10-day stay on the injured list, though it's unclear how long it will take him to be cleared for a return after he begins running. Willi Castro and Seiya Suzuki (illness) have split right field duties while Tucker has been sidelined.

Thomas slashed .239/.343/.368 with three home runs, 11 steals, a 13.2 percent walk rate and a 35.2 percent strikeout rate in 43 games for Double-A Hartford.

The No. 42 overall pick in last year's draft, Thomas capitalized on good fortune (.421 BABIP) and the favorable hitting conditions in Spokane to slash .330/.427/.495 with 11 homers and 22 steals in 73 games at High-A before getting promoted to Double-A on his 22nd birthday July 1. Given that his strikeout rate spiked into the danger zone when he was promoted to an age-appropriate level and more neutral hitting environment, Thomas' dynasty stock is trending down to close 2025, but he'll have a chance to boost it in the coming months playing in the Arizona Fall League. Thomas saw the majority of his starts in left field this year, which puts more pressure on him to provide significant offensive value.

Ko slashed .310/.437/.439 with four home runs, six steals, a 17 percent walk rate and a 19.8 percent strikeout rate in 85 games across the Arizona Complex League and Cal League.

The lefty-hitting Ko, who turned 19 in August, signed with the Dodgers for $650,000 in June of 2024 out of Taiwan. He had a brief, but impressive, debut in the Dominican Summer League last year (149 wRC+ in nine games) and was even better in the ACL this summer, slashing .367/.487/.539 and comfortably leading the league with a 171 wRC+. All four of Ko's homers came in rookie ball, and he has managed just five extra-base hits in 32 games for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. Ko should return to the Quakes next year with a chance for a midseason promotion to High-A.

Bitonti slashed .238/.341/.421 with 19 home runs, 17 steals, a 13.5 percent walk rate and a 33.5 percent strikeout rate in 118 games for Single-A Carolina.

Drafted out of high school in 2023 as a shortstop, Bitonti has already slid to the bottom of the defensive spectrum, playing 900.1 innings at first base and five innings at third base this year for the Mudcats. That won't be a problem if he can make enough contact, as Bitonti has consistently shown impressive raw power and patience for his age -- he won't turn 20 until November. It's unlikely the lefty-hitting Bitonti would be allowed to face same-handed pitching in the majors, but there's a chance he could be a three-true outcomes slugger who hits in the middle of the lineup against righties. The Brewers have a loaded farm system, and first base is particularly crowded, with Andrew Fischer, Brock Wilken, Blake Burke and Luke Adams all representing legitimate first base prospects who are closer to the majors than Bitonti.

Suzuki is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

It looks to be a routine day off for Suzuki, who had started each of the previous 12 contests. The Cubs have Moises Ballesteros in the designated hitter slot and hitting sixth Friday.