MLB Player News

Wetherholt (groin) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Reds, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Groin soreness has kept Wetherholt out of the lineup for both of the Cardinals' last two games, and he'll sit out again Saturday while Bryan Torres picks up a start at the keystone. The Cards don't anticipate Wetherholt moving to the injured list, so he'll likely return to action within the next couple of days.

The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Roberts owns an impressive 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 18.1 innings on the year, but he's given up four runs (three earned) over his last three outings and will now return to Triple-A to get back on track. Javier Assad was recalled from Iowa to fill the open bullpen spot.

The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Assad owns a 5.88 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 26 innings in the big leagues this season, and he hasn't been much better since being sent down to Iowa on May 17 (6.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). Despite his recent struggles, he'll rejoin the Cubs to provide a fresh arm capable of going multiple innings out of the bullpen. Ethan Roberts was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and an RBI in Friday's win over the Padres.

The 28-year-old infielder is locking in at the plate. Bichette has six hits in the last two games, and over his last 18 contests he's slashing .282/.333/.465 with two doubles, a triple, three homers, 10 runs and 14 RBI.

Phillips didn't factor into the decision in Friday's loss to the Rays, giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 relief innings, He struck out three.

The right-hander worked in tandem with Ryan Gusto, who got the start and took the loss after coughing up three runs of his own in just two innings. Phillips wound up tossing 82 pitches (50 strikes) to help save the rest of the bullpen, and he even took a comebacker off the foot from Yandy Diaz in the fifth inning but was able to stay in the game. The Marlins' injury-depleted staff can ill afford to lose another arm, and assuming the foot isn't an issue, Phillips should get another turn as a starter or bulk reliever during next week's home series against the Diamondbacks. Over 18 appearances (two starts) this season, he carries a 2.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 36:22 K:BB in 43.1 innings.

Arroyo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

Arroyo will take a seat Saturday after going 2-for-10 with two walks and six strikeouts across his first four games as an MLB player. Spencer Steer will start at second base in Arroyo's stead, and Noelvi Marte will enter the starting nine as Cincinnati's right fielder.

Stephenson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Stephenson broke an 0-for-12 stretch at the plate by hitting a single in Friday's loss, and he'll now retreat to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. P.J. Higgins will fill in at catcher and bat ninth.

Crawford (hand) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Detroit.

Crawford will receive a day off to recover after getting hit on the hand by a pitch during Friday's series opener. Colt Emerson will move over to shortstop to cover for Crawford, giving Patrick Wisdom a start at third base.

Springer went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Friday's loss to the Orioles.

The veteran slugger held a paltry .186 batting average on May 16, but since then Springer has begun to find a groove. Over his last 16 games, he's slashing .258/.319/.470 with five doubles, three homers, two steals, six RBI and eight runs while still consistently hitting leadoff for the Blue Jays.

Scherzer (forearm) gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over 3.2 innings for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. He struck out five.

While the results weren't great, the 41-year-old right-hander topped out at 95.7 mph with his fastball while throwing 73 pitches (44 strikes), per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Scherzer has dealt with a litany of healthy issues in the early part of the season, including right forearm tightness, but he's closing in on returning to the Blue Jays' rotation for the first time April 24. It's not yet clear whether the organization will activate him from the IL next week for a home series against the Phillies, or have Scherzer make one more rehab start.