MLB Player News

Manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Eduardo Valencia will start at catcher Saturday against the Phillies, and it's uncertain if Dingler (thumb) will play in Sunday's series finale, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Friday's series opener against Philadelphia, as Jake Rogers is doing the catching and batting ninth. Valencia will catch Saturday, suggesting Dingler has already been ruled out for that game. Hinch said Dingler is progressing with his bruised thumb, but he remains day-to-day. It's possible Dingler will remain sidelined through the All-Star break.

The Phillies released Carlson on Friday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Carlson made the Cubs' Opening Day roster but has spent nearly all of the season at the Triple-A level, slashing just .180/.294/.317 between Iowa and Lehigh Valley. The 27-year-old will look for a new gig elsewhere and will likely have to accept a minor-league contract.

Holmes (fibula) threw a live batting practice session Friday at Citi Field, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

It's the first time Holmes has faced hitters since he suffered a fractured right fibula back in mid-May. The right-hander could begin a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break. He posted a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB through 52.2 innings before getting hurt.

Vest has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Vest will not require surgery, but he remains without a clear timetable for return after he was initially placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation July 1. It's been an ugly 2026 season for the right-hander, as he's posted a 6.08 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB across 26.2 innings. His 3.41 FIP would suggest he's been extremely unlucky.

Church is absent from the lineup for Friday's tilt versus Atlanta.

With lefty Chris Sale toeing the slab, the left-handed-hitting Church will begin the festivities on the bench. Jose Fermin will patrol center field and bat seventh for the Cardinals.

Nootbaar is not in the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Lefty ace Chris Sale is on the bump for Atlanta, so the Cardinals are loading up their lineup with righty bats. The right-handed-hitting Nelson Velazquez will cover left field while the lefty-swinging Noobaar sits.

Bichette is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against the Red Sox.

It's the first day off this season for Bichette, who has collected a .610 OPS and is without a home run across his last 14 games. Brett Baty is getting a start at third base, and Zack Short will cover second base for the Mets.

Ohtani has been scratched from Friday's start against the Diamondbacks due to continued irritation in his left knee.

Ohtani will serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter Friday and for the rest of the weekend, but he will not pitch because of a nagging knee issue that first popped up a month ago. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Ohtani will have the knee drained and will likely receive an injection over the All-Star break, which will prevent him from participating in the All-Star Game. Kyle Hurt will start what will be a bullpen game for the Dodgers in Friday's series opener versus the Diamondbacks.

Chourio is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh.

Chourio is off to a slow start in July with a .225/.279/.350 batting line in 10 games, so he will get a day off to regroup. Luis Lara will draw a start in left field and bat sixth for the Brewers.

Suzuki (cramps) will start in right field and bat cleanup in Friday's game versus the Reds.

Suzuki was forced to depart Thursday's game in Baltimore due to cramps, but he was fine shortly after the contest ended and will not have to miss a start. The 31-year-old has homered in back-to-back games.