MLB Player News

Kepler is starting in left field and batting fifth versus the Cardinals on Thursday.

Kepler was added to Arizona's active roster Thursday after completing his 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. The starting outfielders for the Diamondbacks on Thursday are Kepler, Tommy Troy and Corbin Carroll, with Lourdes Gurriel slotted as the designated hitter.

Kelly isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Kelly has gone 6-for-15 with 10 RBI and nine runs scored across his last four games, but the Cubs will keep him on the bench to begin Thursday's contest while Miguel Amaya starts behind the plate.

Moreno is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Cardinals.

Moreno sat for the series opener versus the Cardinals on Monday and then went 2-for-6 with two walks and an RBI across Tuesday's and Wednesday's contests. As he sits for the series finale Thursday, Adrian Del Castillo will get the start behind the plate while batting cleanup.

The Diamondbacks transferred Nelson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Nelson landed on the injured list last Friday due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, and his move to the 60-day IL will ensure that he remains out until at least mid-August. The move also creates space on the 40-man roster for Max Kepler, who returned from his 80-game suspension Thursday.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Garcia (elbow) remains in a holding pattern due to neck and biceps nerve symptoms, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Garcia was initially sidelined following surgery last September to remove scar tissue from his elbow, but it seems his nerve issues are the bigger problem now. The 35-year-old reliever remains shut down for the time being, and it's uncertain when he might be cleared to throw again.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Scherzer (back) will travel to Dallas on Friday to get a cortisone shot to "help alleviate some left side stuff," Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Scherzer landed on the 15-day injured list last week because of back spasms, and it seems his side discomfort is related to that. The veteran hurler threw another bullpen session Thursday, and he will return to Toronto following Friday's cortisone shot before the next steps in his rehab are determined.

The White Sox will recall Sandlin from Triple-A Charlotte to start Friday's game against the Royals, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Sandlin has given up 12 earned runs in 13.1 frames with the White Sox this season, but he's logged a 2.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 11 innings at Charlotte since his last MLB appearance. The 25-year-old righty will now get another chance to showcase his talents in the big leagues but will likely make just the one start before returning to Triple-A, as Noah Schultz (knee) is expected to return from the injured list next week to fill the opening in Chicago's rotation.

The Pirates are listing Jones (elbow) as their scheduled starter for Saturday's game against the Reds, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jones had to leave his last outing Sunday versus the Rockies after being struck by a comebacker in the pitching elbow. All testing came back clean, however, and Jones appears ready to roll for his next turn through the rotation. The right-hander has been a little shaky in his five starts since coming off the injured list, posting a 5.75 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over 20.1 innings. Jones hasn't thrown more than 77 pitches in any of those five starts and threw 45 on Sunday before departing, so his workload should remain relatively limited.

The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hollowell gave up a solo homer while recording two outs during his appearance Wednesday, and he'll now head back to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Matthew Boyd (shoulder/knee), who is set to start Thursday's game.

The Cubs activated Boyd (shoulder/knee) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Boyd will make his return to the Cubs' rotation Thursday with a start in Queens against the Mets. The left-hander has not started a game at the big-league level since early May, as he's been shelved by meniscus surgery and shoulder soreness. Boyd tossed 59 pitches over four innings in his final rehab start, so his workload will be limited Thursday.