MLB Player News

Rooker (knee) is back in the starting lineup and batting fourth as the designated hitter for Friday's game against the Astros.

Rooker got the day off from the starting nine Thursday against the Cubs due to knee soreness, but he's back in there for Friday's series opener versus Houston. Rooker is just 5-for-37 with one homer, two RBI, four runs scored and a 2:13 BB:K over his last 10 games.

McLain is not in the lineup for Friday's game in St. Louis.

McLain is just 3-for-34 at the dish over his last 11 contests to drop his season batting line to .198/.296/.322. He'll get a day to regroup while Edwin Arroyo handles shortstop for the Reds in Friday's series opener.

The Diamondbacks designated Rashi for assignment Friday.

The club needed to clear space on its 40-man roster for the addition of LuJames Groover. Rashi gave up three runs over 3.2 innings earlier this season with the Diamondbacks but has spent most of the year at Triple-A Reno, turning in a 1.03 ERA and 26:12 K:BB across 26.1 frames. He could draw some interest via waivers.

Walls (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins, playing shortstop and batting ninth.

Walls was removed from Monday's game against the Tigers due to hamstring tightness and didn't start Tuesday or Wednesday ahead of the team's off day Thursday. Walls has an ugly .208/.313/.285 slash line with no homers and 14 RBI across 155 plate appearances this season.

The Diamondbacks optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Fernandez's first stint in the majors resulted in a .255/.289/.352 batting line with three home runs, seven stolen bases and a 7:40 BB:K over 55 games. He's being sent out in favor of LuJames Groover.

The Diamondbacks selected Groover's contract from Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Groover is set to make his major-league debut after slashing .322/.421/.452 with three home runs, two stolen bases and a 37:43 BB:K over 56 contests for Reno. The 24-year-old has played both corner-infield spots at Reno this season, and the right-handed batter will likely see starts against left-handed hurlers.

The Athletics designated Kuhnel for assignment Friday.

The 31-year-old Kuhnel was on the mound for the Athletics' ninth-inning collapse Thursday against the Cubs. He allowed four runs on five hits across two-thirds of an inning, blowing a 6-3 lead. Kuhnel pitched to a 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 25.2 innings out of the bullpen this season.

The Athletics recalled Alvarado from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

The team DFA'd Joel Kuhnel in a corresponding move. Alvarado pitched in 10 games out of the Athletics' bullpen earlier this season and posted an 8.38 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB across 9.2 innings. He has a 2.25 ERA and 16:4 K:BB across 12 innings with Las Vegas.

Wetherholt (lower body) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Wetherholt sat out Wednesday's game with lower-body soreness. It was expected that he would return to action Friday following the Cardinals' team off day Thursday, but the rookie infielder needs a bit more time. Bryan Torres will start at second base for St. Louis.

The Astros optioned Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston needed the spot on the 26-man roster for Jose Altuve, who was activated from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move. Dezenzo has slashed just .191/.255/.340 with one homer, two RBI, five runs scored and a 4:19 BB:K across 51 plate appearances with the Astros this season. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts after fanning 37.3 percent of the time.