MLB Player News

Morel is not in the Marlins' starting lineup against the Rays on Saturday.

Even though the Rays are sending southpaw Shane McClanahan to the mound, the right-handed-hitting Morel will be on the bench for the start of Saturday's game while Leo Jimenez serves as the Marlins' designated hitter and Javier Sanoja starts at third base. Morel has seen a noticeable decline in his playing time due to his struggles at the plate, with the 26-year-old slashing .172/.232/.219 with one steal, one RBI and a 39.1 percent strikeout rate across 69 plate appearances this season.

Bennett is the top candidate to replace Brayan Bello in Boston's starting rotation, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Bello was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, and Boston will need to fill his spot next Tuesday against Tampa Bay. Bennett is the most logical option, given that he's made a couple of starts for Boston already this season. He last pitched Tuesday for the WooSox and will be on extra rest against the Rays.

Sandoval (biceps) walked one over 1.1 innings for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

Sandoval had been scheduled to throw one inning, but he went back out after cruising through his first inning, per Triple-A Worcester's official site. The left-hander restarted a rehab assignment that was scrapped in April. At that time, he was rehabbing from an internal brace procedure on his elbow but was set back by the biceps.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol told reporters Saturday that Dobbins' next appearance will be as a starting pitcher, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The Cardinals will go with a six-man rotation for at least one turn, with Dobbins slated to take the mound on the road either against the Mets or Twins. The 26-year-old right-hander has pitched well in his two outings since being recalled from Triple-A Memphis this past Sunday, recording a win and a save while allowing one run on eight hits and two walks while striking out 10 across 8.2 innings.

De La Cruz (hamstring) had his scheduled MRI moved up three days to this coming Friday, June 12, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

De La Cruz is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks due to a right hamstring strain that he sustained this past Sunday against Atlanta. The good news for the superstar shortstop is that he appears to be progressing ahead of his recovery schedule, so Friday's MRI should give the Reds a better sense of the next steps for De La Cruz's rehab program. In his absence, Matt McLain is expected to see more starts at shortstop, and Edwin Arroyo and Noelvi Marte are also slated to see more playing time.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters Saturday that Swanson is healthy but will "get a couple of days off," Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Swanson is not in the Cubs' lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants, and it sounds like he may be on the bench for Sunday's series finale as well. The veteran shortstop has struggled at the plate this season, and over his last 10 games he's gone 5-for-33 (.152) with one RBI, two steals and 12 strikeouts. Nico Hoerner will start at shortstop Saturday, and Swanson's absence means more playing time is available for Pedro Ramirez.

Varsho (wrist) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore.

Varsho was forced to make an early exit from Friday's contest due to left wrist inflammation, and the Blue Jays will give him a chance to rest Saturday while Myles Straw starts in center field.

Reds manager Terry Francona told reporters Saturday that Greene (elbow) could return from the 60-day injured list prior to the All-Star break, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Greene continues to recover from a procedure in mid-March to remove bone chips from his right elbow. He was cleared to throw in bullpen sessions in late May, and the Reds will have a better sense of the right-hander's recovery timeline once he's been given the green light to embark on a rehab assignment.

Higashioka went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 win over Cleveland.

Higashioka ignited Texas' three-run sixth inning with a leadoff homer, his fourth of the season. The blast also extended a hit streak to four games, during which he's 7-for-13 with three extra-base hits, two RBI and five runs scored. He's appeared in 32 games and is essentially sharing catching duties with Danny Jansen (41 games), but Higashioka has been the better hitter. He's has a .712 OPS compared to Jansen's .586 OPS.

Swanson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

Swanson will get a day off Saturday after going 0-for-4 during Friday's loss. Nico Hoerner will move over to shortstop to cover for him, giving Pedro Ramirez a start at second base.