MLB Player News

Valdez is not in the Pirates' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Friday.

Valdez will take a seat following a three-game stretch in which he went 0-for-12 with eight strikeouts, one walk and one run scored. Jake Mangum will start in right field and bat eighth in Friday's series opener.

The Mariners reinstated Vargas (lat) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Vargas has been on the injured list all season with a strained right lat, though he was cleared to begin playing in rehab games Aug. 8 and has since fired 4.2 shutout innings between High-A Everett and Triple-A Tacoma. Now fully healthy, the 26-year-old righty will likely claim a middle-relief role with the Mariners. Nick Davila was optioned to Tacoma in a corresponding move, and Matt Brash (lat) was transferred to the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man spot.

The Cubs designated Miller for assignment Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The move corresponds with the Cubs activating Daniel Palencia from the 60-day injured list. Miller's lone appearance in the majors came Monday against the White Sox, when he was brought in as a defensive substitute. He may stay within the Cubs' organization in Triple-A Iowa if he clears waivers.

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The move opens up a spot on the Cubs' active roster for Daniel Palencia, who was activated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Assad was promoted to the Cubs' bullpen on Monday and worked in long-relief against the White Sox on Tuesday, when he allowed two hits while striking out two batters across three scoreless frames. He's started in all five of his outings in Triple-A, where he has a 7.31 ERA and 2.06 WHIP across 16 innings this season.

The Cubs activated Palencia (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Palencia has been officially cleared to return from a nearly two-month absence due to a right elbow flexor strain, and he'll be available out of the bullpen for Friday's game against the Mariners. Palencia was the Cubs' closer prior to his injury, but he may be restricted to high-leverage situations in his return given how well Jacob Webb has pitched in save opportunities. In corresponding moves, Owen Miller was designated for assignment and Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Montero will not make his next scheduled start during the Tigers' upcoming series against the Rays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Montero isn't dealing with an injury, but the Tigers said he didn't recover well from his most recent start against Pittsburgh on Tuesday, so they'll give him a few extra days to recover before taking the mound again. Detroit has yet to set a date for the right-hander's next appearance, but it will likely come sometime next weekend against the Dodgers.

Smith (neck) participated in live batting practice Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It's an encouraging sign in Smith's recovery from a neck injury, given that Friday was the first time he faced live pitching since June. There's optimism that the veteran catcher will be cleared to embark on a rehab assignment next week, putting him on track to be back with the Dodgers before the end of the regular season.

Feduccia (illness) is starting behind home plate and batting ninth against the Pirates on Friday.

Feduccia missed Wednesday's game against Colorado due to an illness, but he's recovered enough to return to action for Friday's series opener. He's gone 6-for-27 (.222) with a solo home run and three additional runs scored across 14 games in August.

Rocchio isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.

Rocchio will get a chance to rest his legs Friday after going 2-for-11 with an RBI and a run scored during the Guardians' last series against San Francisco. Angel Genao will get the nod at shortstop while Rocchio sits.

DeLauter (hamstring) will start in right field and bat second Friday against the Rockies, Manny Randhawa of MLB.com reports.

DeLauter sat out the Guardians' last three games after suffering a hamstring injury Sunday, but he now seems to be feeling well enough to return to the starting nine without spending time on the injured list. The 24-year-old was performing great in the month of August before getting hurt, slashing .339/.422/.482 with two homers, six RBI, 11 runs scored and three steals across 64 plate appearances.